Selected topics in cognitive science and biomodelling
0800-OG-COGNIT
1 Panorama: brains, molecules, and the need for multilevel phenomics.
2 From genes to proteins, cells, neurons, circuits, brain structures and networks, to behavior. Computer modeling of biomolecules.
3 Neurons, synapses, neurotransmitters, generation of spikes, and other basic biological mechanisms of neural functions.
4 Visual perception: biophysical mechanisms of transduction of light to neural impulses.
5 Visual perceptions: how brains create visual experiences.
6 Auditory perception: biological mechanisms of transduction of sound to neural impulses.
7 Auditory perceptions: how brains create auditory experiences.
8 Tactile perception: biological mechanisms of mechanical transduction of tactile stimuli.
9 Tactile perceptions: how brains analyze tactile stimuli.
10 Other forms of perceptions: taste, smell, other senses and synesthesia.
11 Learning and memory: neuroplasticity from biological perspective. Modeling of brain related molecules.
12 Learning and memory: basic functions of neocortex, various types of memory, system level view, large-scale brain networks.
13 Information selection and type of attention: intentional, orienting mechanisms, vigilance.
14 The role of emotions, subcortical structures and biological processes.
15 Consciousness, disorders of consciousness, theories of consciousness.
Total student workload
30 h lecture hours.
30 h individual work required for effective evaluation of the course plus reviewing of software and projects.
30 h preparation and participation in course assessment
No obligatory laboratory work
Learning outcomes - knowledge
W01: Students understand the need for multilevel phenomics, from molecules to behavior;
W02: organization of biological organisms at molecular level;
• general anatomical structure of the brain;
• cognitive functions, relations to other fields of science;
W04: mechanisms of visual, tactile, auditory and other forms of perception at biological, structural level;
• mechanisms of visual, tactile, auditory and other forms of perception at functional, information flow level;
• mechanisms of learning, neuroplasticity and memory at biological, cellular level;
• mechanisms of learning and memory at functional, brain network level, examples of some mental disorders;
• mechanisms of attention and consciousness.
The course should lead to development of the following outcomes:
K_01, K_02, K_03, K_04, K_05, K_06, K_07.
Learning outcomes - skills
U01: Students are able to:
• Find and critically assess information in the Internet and in scientific and popular science journals related to cognitive neuroscience;
• summarize main points of the lectures,
U03: collect and interpret information from different sources,
• formulate important questions and think about implications of learned material,
• recognize false assumptions about brain functions and brain disorders;
U05: find interesting software tools and databases that may be used to elucidate cognitive mechanisms discussed during lectures.
The course should lead to development of the following outcomes:
K_U01, K_U02, K_U04, K_U06
Learning outcomes - social competencies
K01 • Students understand ethical and social problems created by rapid development of brain research.
Students are:
• aware of the complexity of issues related to brain research;
K02: critically asses information in media related to new discoveries in cognitive and biological sciences related to the brain research;
• understand contributions of cognitive and biological sciences to fathoming human nature;
K03: analyze and assess available information to understand possible implications of the knowledge gained;
• understand the need to follow scientific literature to catch up with rapid progress in this field.
Teaching methods
• Lectures.
• reference to the web pages of important projects in bio/neuro areas;
• demonstrations, using video clips.
Expository teaching methods
- problem-based lecture
Type of course
elective course
Prerequisites
Basic computer science/programming, high-school physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology.
Course coordinators
Assessment criteria
Written examination consisting of 10 test questions, 100 points.
Fail <50, and [51-60] for 3, [61-70] for 3.5, [71-82] for 4, [83-90] for 4.5, and [91-100] for 5.
Practical placement
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors,
localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: