Course Description:
The course will cover the basic computational models of neurons - their passive properties, models of ionic conductances, and the effect of a cell's morphology. Models of synapses (excitatory and inhibitory) will be considered, and we will discuss simplified models of neurons, e.g., integrate-and-fire models. We will consider the behavior of networks of neurons, how these can be approximated with firing rate models, and models of plasticity and learning.
Throughout the course, computer demonstrations will be used to explore each concept. These will be performed with Matlab or the NEURON simulation package (http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron) participants will have the opportunity to try these packages.