15-386/686 Neural Computation

Carnegie Mellon University

Spring 2011 School of Computer Science

Course Description

Course Information

• Class location and time: GHC 4307. Tuesday, Thursday 3:00 p.m - 4:20 p.m.
• Website: http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/~tai/nc11.html (course info)
• Course directory: /afs/andrew.cmu.edu/scs/cs/15-386 (some assignments materials)
• Blackboard: http://www.cmu.edu/blackboard/ (Both 386/686 students should use 386 BB for access of course materials and announcements. 686 students should also check their 686 BB for additional requirements and works

Recommended Textbook

• Handouts in Blackboard.
• Gabbiani, F. and Cox. S.J. (GC) Mathematics for Neuroscientists . Academic Press, 2010 (recommended)
• Hertz J, Krogh A, Palmer RG (HKP) Introduction to the theory of neural computation., Addison Wesley 1991 (recommended).
• Trappenberg T.P. (TTP) Fundamentals of computational neuroscience, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press 2009 (recommended).
• Wilson H.R. (W) Spikes, decision and actions., Oxford University press 2004 (reference, on-line).
• Dayan P, Abbott L (DA) Theoretical Neuroscience, MIT press, 2001. (reference, some chapters, more advanced).

Classroom Etiquette

• Please turn OFF your laptop, cell phones or any other electronic devices in the classroom or you will be asked to leave the classroom. Thank you.

Grading Scheme

Homework Assignments

• You will have about 2 weeks to do each homework assignment. Homework report should be type-written. You should submit a hardcopy, documenting all the answers and results in class on the due day, as well as a softcopy of write-up and the codes to Blackboard before noon on the due day. Blackboard submission after noon is considered late.
• 15-386 students are allowed to collaborate in the two first assignments and in the term project, but not in the third and fourth assignments. Each should submit a copy of the solution, but should list his/her partner, if any, on the first page of the report.
• 86-686 students are allowed to collaborate in the two first assignments and in the term project, but not in the third and fourth assignments. They need to complete the additional challenge questions for 686 students satisfactorily (80% correct) in at least two out of the four homeworks to qualify for an A. Each should submit a copy of the solution, but should list his/her partner, if any, on the first page of the report.
• 15-686 students have to do all the assignments indiviudally. They need to complete the all challenge questions in all the four homeworks for 686 students satisfactorily (80% correct) to qualify for an A. Each should submit a copy of the solution, but should list his/her partner, if any, on the first page of the report.
No collaboration is allowed for 15-686 students in any work.

Late Policy

• Each student has ONE chance to turn in one of the four homework assignments late within one week without penalty. However, Blackboard submission after noon on the due day is considered late.
• If you need to submit a late homework after using the one free late, you will receive 5 percent deduction from maximum credit per lecture the solution set is released.
• No extension possible for the term project.

Term project

• 386 students have to do a term project. They might work in pair.
• 15-686 (as a CIT and SCS graduate course) students have to satisfy all the requirements of 386. But they have to do a term project individually, no partner allowed. Exception can be granted in some situations -- please discuss with the instructor.
• 86-686 can do a term project (collaboration allowed) OR they can do an in-depth literature review on a particular topic individually.
• The term project will consist of a (1 page) proposal, a (1 page) progress report, and a (up to 6 page) final report. The term paper can be up to 10 pages, including figures. Matlab codes and additional output should also be submitted as supplementary materials in a different pdf/doc file and/or matlab zip files.
• The projects will be presented on in the last two lectures, and potentially the day of the Final Exam. Format to be defined.

Examinations

• There will be two quizzes to test understanding of the materials covered and discussed in the lectures. NOTE: readings are recommended to enhance your understanding. However, you are not responsible for what is not covered in the lectures, unless otherwise specified.

Additional Requirement for 15-686 students

• 15-686 students have to complete the additional challenge questions in each homework (no collaboration). The total grade for these additional questions for all the assignments have to be over 80 percent to be considered satisfactory. In the event they fail in one of the challenges, they have a second chance to achieve satisfactory performance by doing one of the instructor's challenge projects during the term project period.
• Their term project is expected to be more substantial, and accompanied by a more in-depth literature review.

Additional Requirement for 86-686 students

• 86-686 (as a H&SS graduate course) students have to satisfy all the requirements of 386. But as 386 students, they are allowed to collaborate for the first two assignments and in the final project. They can do a term project (collaboration allowed) OR they can do an in-depth literature review on a particular topic individually. They should also complete challenge questions for 686 students in two out of the four homeworks to be considered satisfactory.

Final Grade Assignment

• 386 students: A for total grade >= 88 %, B: < 88 AND >= 75, C: < 75, >=60. F for cheating.
• 686 students: A for total grade >= 88 % AND satisfactory performance of the additional works.

Laboratory/Help Sessions

• Matlab tutorial sessions:
• Hunt Lower Level Near/Far 5:30 PM-7:00 PM 01/20/2011
• Hunt Lower Level Near/Far 5:30 PM-7:00 PM 01/26/2011
• Lab/Help sessions: Subsequently, the TA plan to hold "Lab/Help" sessions every other week, hopefully same place, same time to help students with programming issues as well as homework assignments. In the week 15-386 doesn't have "Lab/help sessions", 15-385 TAs will hold their "Lab/Help sessions", hopefully same place, same time, you are also welcome to go there to ask their Matlab questions. Obviously, they 15-385 can't answer your problem set questions.

Syllabus