2011-FIFTH COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE SUMMER SCHOOL

Fifth UOttawa Computational Neuroscience Summer School

 Center for Neural Dynamics, University of Ottawa

JUNE 5-17, 2011
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 1st, 2011

Our fifth Summer School in Computational Neuroscience will be held from Sunday June 5, 2011 until Friday June 17, 2011 inclusively. It is organized by the Center for Neural Dynamics at the University of Ottawa. This highly pedagogical course is directed at graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from the physical sciences (e.g. physics, applied mathematics, engineering, computer science) and the life sciences (e.g. neuroscience, biology, physiology, human kinetics) who wish to develop their skills in neural data analysis and in mathematical modeling of neural activity. The topics will range from cellular to systems neuroscience, with a focus on sensory and motor systems.

The course will consist of 3 hours of lectures in the mornings, followed by 3-hour MATLAB-based computer laboratories in the afternoons. Participants will pair up for these laboratories, and an effort will be made to pair someone from the life sciences with someone from the physical sciences. All classes and laboratories will be held on the main downtown campus of the University of Ottawa. The School will be held in English. All participants must also do a research project and 15-minute presentation. The course can also be taken for official credits, since it is a University of Ottawa three-credit graduate course (NSC8104). The mark for the course will be based on work done in the computer laboratories, on the presentation of a research project by the end of the course, plus a write-up to follow within a week. The first day of the school (Sunday June 5th) will consist of a refresher on linear differential equations, linear algebra and probability theory open to all participants, as well as an introduction to MATLAB.
Enrollment in the course will be limited to 40 participants. Apart from enjoying the capitol city, there will also be opportunities to hike or swim in the Gatineau hills nearby or to go white-water rafting down the world-class Ottawa river.

MATH PRE-REQUISITES: Calculus I and II, first-year university level Linear Algebra and Probability and Statistics.
LIFE SCIENCES PRE-REQUISITES: first-year university level life science courses for students in the physical sciences.

FACULTY
Prof. Maurice Chacron, Center for Nonlinear Dynamics, Dept. Physiology, McGill
Prof. John Lewis, Biology, University of Ottawa
Prof. Tim Lewis, Mathematics, University of California at Davis
Prof. André Longtin, Physics, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa
Prof. Len Maler, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa
Prof. Jonathan Rubin, Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh, USA

TUITION
None for participants from academic institutions and government laboratories; $2500 from non-academic participants.
See the application form at: http://www.neurodynamic.uottawa.ca/summer.html
 

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be available at the University of Ottawa residences, a few minutes walk away from the lecture hall and computer lab, cafeterias and downtown Ottawa with its restaurants, museums etc... Accommodation consists of a single room (with desk and internet access), with communal kitchen and living area and shared bathroom. The cost is approximately $45 CAN per night per person.
 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
There is no tuition fee for participants from academic institutions, and most meals are paid for by the school. Support for travel and accommodation is available only for students (canadian and international) registered at canadian universities, and is based on need.
 

IMPORTANT DATES
March 1st , 2011: Application, including a letter of recommendation sent to compneuro09@uottawa.ca
March 10, 2011: Notification of acceptance and level of financial support.
March 20, 2011: Notification of acceptance by the participant.
Accommodation: as soon aspossible after notification of acceptance, participants can reserve their accommodation online at reserve@uottawa.ca or by phoning 1-888-564-4545.
REGISTER AT: www.neurodynamic.uottawa.ca/summer.html
CONTACT US: compneuro11@uottawa.ca

SYLLABUS
1) Introduction to Linear and Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
-solutions of linear differential equations
-qualitative analysis of nonlinear differential equations

2) Single Neuron Models
-ionic models
-simplified deterministic models
-stochastic models

3) Neural Spike Train Analysis and Modeling
-basic statistics
-autocorrelation, spectrum
-information theory toolbox

4) Sensory Coding
-artificial and naturalistic stimuli
-modeling activity along the afferent pathways
-modeling feedback
-population coding and information theory

5) Computational and Dynamical Approaches to Motor Control
-posture control and equilibrium point approaches
-computational approaches to movement pathologies

6) Synaptic Plasticity
-short term depression and facilitation
-long term plasticity
-implications for information processing

7) Coupled Neurons
-gap junction
-excitatory and inhibitory synaptic coupling
-effect of coupling on neural population behavior

8) Waves of Activity in Neural Networks
-neural field models
-traveling waves
-spiral waves