Courses

PSY 330
Introduction to Connectionist Models: Bridging Between Brain and Mind
(ST)
Maximum Enrollment: 28
Professor: Kenneth A. Norman

Description/Objectives:
A fundamental goal of cognitive neuroscience is to understand how psychological functions such as attention, memory, language, and decision-making arise from computations performed by assemblies of neurons in the brain. This course will provide an introduction to the use of connectionist models (also known as neural network or parallel distributed processing models) as a tool for exploring how psychological functions are implemented in the brain, and how they go awry in patients with brain damage.

Sample Reading List:
Randall O'Reilly & Yuko Munakata , Computational Explorations in Cognitive Neuroscience

Reading/Writing Assignments:
In weekly lab sessions, students will learn how to build neural network models using a powerful and intuitive neural network software package. Students will also complete simulation exercises where they explore the properties of various pre-built models of cognitive phenomena. For their final project, students will develop a neural network model that addresses some psychological phenomenon of interest to them, and write up the results of these simulations.

Requirements/Grading:
Paper in lieu of Final Exam: 50%
Lab Reports: 25%
Problem Set(s): 25%

Other Requirements:
Course not open to Freshmen.

Prerequisites and Restrictions:

Description/Objectives:
Prior exposure to basic concepts in cognitive psychology and neuroscience is useful for this course, as is some experience with computer programming. While the models we will be using are mathematically based, only algebra and some simple calculus-level concepts are required. The class will focus more on applying the modeling framework to psychological and neuroscientific data than on theoretical derivations. Interested freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to apply.

Schedule/Classroom Assignment:
Class Number: 40385 - Laboratory B01 : CLOSED TBA
Class Number: 40384 - Lecture L01 : CLOSED 3:00 pm - 4:20 pm M W

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email Professor Ken Norman at knorman@princeton.edu