Prerequisites: It will be useful to have familiarity with modern machine learning concepts (e.g. CS229) and basic neural network training tools (eg. CS230 and/or CS231n). Prior knowledge of basic cognitive science or neuroscience not required, we will do a gentle introduction to neuro concepts as they arise.
Structure: Class sessions will be a combination of lectures focusing on neuroscience and AI/ML background and exposition of recent works showing how the two subjects can be combined fruitfully, and some occasional coding demonstrations sprinkled in. There will be a series of guest lectures (both from Stanford and outside faculty) on topics of interest. Students are expected to attend the course every session and to participate by asking questions actively throughout the quarter. (Question participation is a key aspect of the course.)
Coding Assignments: There will be two medium-sized coding assignments due throughout the quarter. These are mostly meant to encourage students to get their feet wet with training brain-like neural networks and comparing them to neural data.
Final Projects: In the last half of the quarter, students will work on a final project related to the material in the class. This year's final project will involve contributing a model or a metric to the Brain-and-Behavior Score repository. (See here for more details.)
Grading basis: participation (25%), coding assignments (40%), final project (35%).
Office hours: 4:30-5:30pm Thursdays, in the Wu Tsai Neurosciences 2nd Floor lounge
Structure: Class sessions will be a combination of lectures focusing on neuroscience and AI/ML background and exposition of recent works showing how the two subjects can be combined fruitfully, and some occasional coding demonstrations sprinkled in. There will be a series of guest lectures (both from Stanford and outside faculty) on topics of interest. Students are expected to attend the course every session and to participate by asking questions actively throughout the quarter. (Question participation is a key aspect of the course.)
Coding Assignments: There will be two medium-sized coding assignments due throughout the quarter. These are mostly meant to encourage students to get their feet wet with training brain-like neural networks and comparing them to neural data.
Final Projects: In the last half of the quarter, students will work on a final project related to the material in the class. This year's final project will involve contributing a model or a metric to the Brain-and-Behavior Score repository. (See here for more details.)
Grading basis: participation (25%), coding assignments (40%), final project (35%).
Office hours: 4:30-5:30pm Thursdays, in the Wu Tsai Neurosciences 2nd Floor lounge