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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mo, Apr 28
Showcase projects due 10:00 PM !!!

Tu, Apr 29
LAST DAY OF CLASS!
Showcase presentations

Mo, May 5
*** 9 AM, not 8 ***
Makeup/improvement
exam in classroom

Brain, Behavior & Info Processing

MCB 419 Syllabus

Course title: Brain, Behavior & Information Processing
Cross-listings: BIOE 419, BIOP 419, MCB 419, NEUR 419
Format: Two 80-minute lecture/lab sessions per week
Credit: 3 hours (undergrad and grad)
Prerequisites: PHYS 102 or 212 (General Physics through Elec & Mag), and
MCB 252 (Cells, Tissues & Development),
or equivalent or consent of instructor.
Website: http://www.life.uiuc.edu/mcb/419/
Email: mcb419 at gmail.com (for homework assignments)
m-nelson at uiuc.edu (Mark Nelson, course instructor)

Overview

This course explores the neural basis of animal behavior. The emphasis is on the information processing problems that animals face in complex natural environments and how nervous systems have evolved to solve these problems. The course introduces students to the use of computer modeling and simulation techniques for exploring principles of nervous system design and function. Current literature in computational neurobiology and neuroethology will be incorporated in readings and class discussion

Outline of course content

  1. introduction: brain, behavior and information processing
  2. evolutionary perspectives on behavior
  3. emergence of life, life at small scale
  4. behavior without a nervous system: unicellular organisms
  5. energy/mass acquisition, kinesis, taxis
  6. evolution of nervous systems, predator-prey arms race
  7. sensory information processing, information theory
  8. effecting change: movement and control
  9. coupling sensation and action
  10. coupled dynamics of brain, body and environment
  11. spatial cognition
  12. learning from experience
  13. communication, social interactions
  14. anticipation, planning
  15. additional topics (emotions, language, consciousness, ...)

Readings

Reading material is drawn from a variety of sources, including book chapters, review articless, journal articles and conference proceedings. There are no required textbooks. The reading list can be found on the course website. You can expect to have about 30 pages of reading material per week. All reading material will be available in electronic format for registered students. You'll need to enter the course id and password to access the files.

Evaluation and Grading

Your final grade will be based on a combination of homework and exam scores as follows:

In-class exams (3 @ 20 pts each): 60 pts
Regular assignments (10 @ 3 pts each): 30 pts
Individual projects (2 @ 5 pts each):   10 pts

Final grades are assigned based on a fixed scale:
A+ >97.4 A 91.4-97.3 A- 89.4-91.3
B+ 87.4-89.3 B 81.4-87.3 B- 79.4-81.3
C+ 77.4-79.3 C 71.4-77.3 C- 69.4-71.3
D+ 67.4-69.3 D 61.4-67.3 D- 59.4-61.3
F < 59.4

There will be opportunities to earn a few 'extra credit' points over the course of the semester.

Homework policies

There will be a total of 12 homework assignments during the semester. Two of the assignments are individual projects; these are are worth 5 points each The other 10 'regular' homework assignments are worth 3 points each.

Homework assignments are due by 11:59 PM (midnight) of the due date. Homework assignments that are turned in LATE within 48 hours of the due date will receive an automatic deduction of 1 point. Homework assignments that are turned in more than 48 hours after the due date will receive an automatic deduction of 2 points.

Exam policies

There will be three in-class exams, each worth 20% of your final grade (60% total). The exam format will be multiple-choice, true/false and short answer.

An optional, comprehensive "improvement/make-up" exam will be offered during the final exam period. You can take this exam if you missed an in-class exam, or if you feel that you could improve your final grade by taking this exam.

The "exam" component of your final grade will be based on your three best exam scores (of the three in-class and one make-up exam), each worth 20 points (20% of your final grade each, 60% total).

No other "make-up" exams will be offered! If you miss an in-class exam for any reason, you'll need to take the "improvement/make-up" exam during finals week.



Copyright © Mark E. Nelson, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005-2008. All rights reserved.