Neurobiology of Prediction (365-0-20)
Instructors
Indira M Raman
847/467-7912
Cook Hall, Room 2-131
Office Hours: by appointment
Meeting Info
Technological Institute M349: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
Much interest in the neuroscience centers on memory, the brain's relationship to the
past. As organisms move through their lives, however, they must navigate the
present moment by anticipating the future. In other words, they must engage in
prediction. Brains have many mechanisms and strategies for formulating and acting
on predictions, on time scales ranging from sub-seconds to years. Indeed, it is the
brain's attempts at prediction, successful and unsuccessful, that underlie many of the
complex questions of interest to neuroscience and the larger society. This course will
take a cellular neurophysiological approach to examining neural mechanisms of
prediction—i.e., how different brain circuits operating at different time scales
contribute to attributing cause and anticipating effect. We will discuss logic ("truth
tables") in the brain, probability, variance, accuracy of sensations, aversion and
reward, time perception, pattern completion, and decision circuits, with a goal of
gaining perspective on some of the "big questions," including superstition, aesthetics,
and humor. Some familiarity with mathematical probability and neurophysiological
methods is desirable.
Registration Requirements
Must be a neuroscience major; sophomore, junior, senior. NEUROSCI 202 and 206; or NEUROSCI 311 and 206; or BIOL SCI 302.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, you should have a neurophysiological understanding of the following:
1. The role and time scales of prediction in carrying out brain function,
2. Probabilistic thinking and its consequences for prediction,
3. Different kinds of prediction carried out by different brain regions
4. Neuronal mechanisms of different sorts of predictive behaviors,
5. How prediction links to broader aspects of behavior.
Evaluation Method
There will be five homework assignments and one midterm.
Each homework assignment will be weighted at 15% of the final grade.
The midterm is weighted at 20%
Participation: is weighted at 5%
Homework 1: Quantitative Problem set on Probability.
Homeworks 2-4: Reading and answering series of questions on a primary research article.
Homework 5: Analysis of a series of perceptual tasks in light of previous course material.
Homeworks 2-5 will form the basis of a class discussion on the day homework is due.
Graduate students will have three additional discussion hours with the professor (spaced through
the quarter) and will write a short final paper. For them, each homework will be worth 12% and
the paper will be worth 15%.
Class Materials (Required)
None.
Class Materials (Suggested)
This textbook is optional but will only be used as reference material. Neuroscience, 6th Edition, Eds. Purves, Augustine, Fitzpatrick, Hall, LaMantia, White, ISBN:-13: 978-1605353807 or ISBN-10: 9781605353807 List Price: $129.95.
Class Notes
This course may be used as a Group B elective or an Allied Field of Biology but not both.