Life Sciences

Sensory Function and Computation

Module code: C1157
Level 6
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Workshop, Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework

You learn fundamental concepts in sensory coding, including:

  • feature detection
  • adaptive representations
  • coding by spike rates and timing
  • population coding.

You will learn in seminars as well as workshops where computer code will be introduced and used to analyse and simulate sensory coding by neurons.

Module learning outcomes

  • Systematically identify the detailed layouts and structure of sensory pathways in the nervous system, and derive common principles from a comparative analysis
  • Demonstrate understanding of how specific aspects of sensory system structure relate to function, and critically evaluate the validity of the current research approaches used to frame and determine those relationships
  • Establish and analyse the main computational principles of sensory processing as reflected in neuronal activity
  • Use computational techniques including programming languages to develop and carry out analyses and simulations of sensory information processing