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School of Life Sciences

Sensory Function and Computation (C1157)

Sensory Function and Computation

Module C1157

Module details for 2022/23.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 6

Module Outline

Comparing the organisation of sensory modalities reveals common conceptual principles underlying how sensory information is processed and transformed, as well as mechanisms characteristic to each modality, which correspond to the distinct ways in which the nervous system extracts signals from different types of physical energy. This module will teach fundamental concepts in sensory coding: feature detection, adaptive representations, coding by spike rates and timing, and population coding. It will incorporate 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

TypeTimingWeighting
Coursework100.00%
Coursework components. Weighted as shown below.
Problem SetT2 Week 9 35.00%
EssayT2 Week 11 65.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Spring SemesterLecture1 hour22222222220
Spring SemesterWorkshop3 hours00101010000
Spring SemesterSeminar2 hours00100100100

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Prof Miguel Maravall Rodriguez

Assess convenor
/profiles/371072

Prof Leon Lagnado

Assess convenor, Convenor
/profiles/179337

Prof Thomas Baden

Assess convenor
/profiles/379418

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