Introduction to Computational Cognitive Neuroscience

Course manual 2021/2022

Course content

Reverse-engineering the mind, or understanding the computational principles that give rise to cognition, is a common goal of cognitive psychology, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience. Despite this shared goal, these three disciplines largely developed independently of one another, using different languages, concepts and tools. This course will present the study of cognition from the perspective of each of these disciplines and provide an overview the various empirical approaches used in each, including some of their caveats. We will discuss parallels and differences between the three fields and consider how bridges can be built between them within the field of cognitive computational neuroscience. We will illustrate the overlap between fields by focusing on recent examples of where these fields come together, such as the deep learning revolution in visual object recognition. Via hands-on computer labs, we will work through concrete examples of how computational models are used in research practice to explain experimental data obtained from human behavior or brain recordings during cognitive tasks.

Study materials

Other

• Materials and course instructions will be made available on Canvas.

Objectives

• Describe the goals and empirical frameworks used in three fields that together establish computational cognitive neuroscience: cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience and artificial intelligence
• Explain how cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence intersect and overlap
• Understand the ethical aspects and best practices of cognitive science research
• Create a research proposal within the scope of computational cognitive neuroscience
• Demonstrate the ability to test models of cognitive processes against neural and behavioral data

Teaching methods

• Laptop seminar
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. In the case of practicals, the student must attend at least 80%. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the practical, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.
2. In the case of study-group sessions with assignments, the student must attend at least 80% of the study-group sessions. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the study group, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.

Assessment

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Last year's student feedback

This is the first iteration of this course.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Iris Groen