Search result: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2012

Neural Systems and Computation Master Information
Electives
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
402-0804-00LNeuromorphic Engineering II Information W6 credits5GT. Delbrück, G. Indiveri, S.‑C. Liu
AbstractThis course teaches the basics of analog chip design and layout with an emphasis on neuromorphic circuits, which are introduced in the fall semester course "Neuromorphic Engineering I".
ObjectiveDesign of a neuromorphic circuit for implementation with CMOS technology.
ContentThis course teaches the basics of analog chip design and layout with an emphasis on neuromorphic circuits, which are introduced in the autumn semester course "Neuromorphic Engineering I".

The principles of CMOS processing technology are presented. Using a set of inexpensive software tools for simulation, layout and verification, suitable for neuromorphic circuits, participants learn to simulate circuits on the transistor level and to make their layouts on the mask level. Important issues in the layout of neuromorphic circuits will be explained and illustrated with examples. In the latter part of the semester students simulate and layout a neuromorphic chip. Schematics of basic building blocks will be provided. The layout will then be fabricated and will be tested by students during the following fall semester.
LiteratureS.-C. Liu et al.: Analog VLSI Circuits and Principles; software documentation.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Neuromorphic Engineering I strongly recommended
402-0826-00LAuditory InformaticsW2 credits1SR. Stoop
AbstractInvited talks on current research from the following areas: Auditory information processing, auditory sensors (biological and electrical), coding of information, perception, scene-segmentation.
ObjectiveWe provide an introduction into current research topics related to auditory information processing.
ContentThe semester program is available from: stoop.net/group ->teaching -> auditory informatics
Prerequisites / NoticeOn request the "Lehrsprache" may be changed to German.
402-0588-00LComplex Systems: Computable Chaos in Dynamical SystemsW6 credits2V + 1UR. Stoop
AbstractIntroduction to the theory of both discrete and continuous dynamical systems: Detailed description of the theoretical concepts, simulations in Mathematica, applications from electronics to celestial mechanics.
ObjectiveChaos in dynamical systems is due to a nonlinearity contained in the system. This severly limits the applicability of the more traditional linear analysis tools to predict the behavior of the system. In the course, we introduce the mathematical tools that allow, the prediction of the system behavior, despite its chaotic nature.
With the help of the concepts of Lyapunov exponents, fractal dimensions, invariant density, and the Frobenius-Perron approach, we will achieve predictions on the horizon of predictability, the distribution of states, the possibility of reliably simulating such systems on the computer, and the changes such systems undergo when systems parameters change.
From the technical aspects, the lectures equally focus on analytical as well as on on numerical approaches. All essential aspects of the lectures are exemplified by means of distributed programs written in the simulation environment Mathematica, for which we provide a short introduction.
The lectures aim at providing a basic set of systems for which the origins of the complex behavior are well understood, from the theoretical as well as from the practical viewpoints and will enable the appropriate analysis of new systems, which is critical to today's science and technology.
ContentThe lectures provide a basic introduction into chaotic systems, where no compromise in the mathematical exactness of the treatment is made.
The lectures comprise an in-depth treatment of the classical foci on dynamical systems and include all basic examples from the literature. Additional foci relate to questions like the computability of such systems as well as the reliability of computers.

The fundamental phenomena are exemplified by short, complete, computer programs, written in the programming environment Mathematica, which allow for an easy understanding and experimentation.
Bibliographies of key scientific protagonists are also included.
Lecture notesA detailed script is provided.
LiteratureAdditional and supplementary literature:

R. Stoop und W.H. Steeb, Berechenbares Chaos in Dynamischen Systemen, Birkhäuser 2006.
A. Lasota and M.C. Mackey, Chaos, fractals, and noise : stochastic aspects of dynamics, Springer 1995
402-0981-00LComputer Simulations of Sensory SystemsW3 credits2V + 1UT. Haslwanter
AbstractThis course deals with computer simulations of the human auditory, visual, and balance system. The lecture will cover the physiological and mechanical mechanisms of these sensory systems. And in the exercises, the simulations will be implemented with MATLAB. The simulations will be such that their output could be used as input for actual neuro-sensory prostheses.
ObjectiveOur sensory systems provide us with information about what is happening in the world surrounding us. Thereby they transform incoming mechanical, electromagnetic, and chemical signals into “action potentials”, the language of the central nervous system.
The main goal of this lecture is to describe how our sensors achieve these transformations, how they can be reproduced with computational tools, and how they can be implemented using MATLAB. For example, our auditory system performs a “Fourier transformation” of the incoming sound waves; our early visual system is optimized for finding edges in images that are projected onto our retina; and our balance system can be well described with a “control system” that transforms linear and rotational movements into nerve impulses.
In the exercises that go with this lecture, we will use MATLAB toolboxes to reproduce the transformations achieved by our sensory systems. The goal is to write programs whose output could be used as input for actual neurosensory prostheses: such prostheses have become commonplace for the auditory system, and are under development for the visual and the balance system.
ContentThe following topics will be covered:
• Introduction into the signal processing in nerve cells.
• Introduction into MATLAB.
• Simplified simulation of nerve cells (Hodgkins-Huxley model).
• Description of the auditory system, including the application of Fourier transforms on recorded sounds.
• Description of the visual system, including the retina and the information processing in the visual cortex. The corresponding exercises will provide an introduction to digital image processing.
• Description of the mechanics of our balance system, and the “Control System”-language that can be used for an efficient description of the corresponding signal processing (essentially Laplace transforms, and the “Simulink” module of MATLAB).
Lecture notesFor each module an English script will be provided on the e-learning platform "moodle". The main content of the lecture is also available as a wikibook, under Link
LiteratureOpen source information is available as wikibook Link

For good overviews I recommend:
• L. R. Squire, D. Berg, F. E. Bloom, Lac S. du, A. Ghosh, and N. C. Spitzer. Fundamental Neuroscience, Academic Press - Elsevier, 2008 [ISBN: 978-0-12-374019-9].
This book covers the biological components, from the functioning of an individual ion channels through the various senses, all the way to consciousness. And while it does not cover the computational aspects, it nevertheless provides an excellent overview of the underlying neural processes of sensory systems. More technical and harder to read than “Kandel/Schwartz – Principles of Neural Sciences”, but therefore much more up-to-date.
• P Wallisch, M Lusignan, M. Benayoun, T. I. Baker, A. S. Dickey, and N. G. Hatsopoulos. MATLAB for Neuroscientists, Academic Press, 2009.
Compactly written, it provides a short introduction to MATLAB, as well as a very good overview of MATLAB’s functionality, focusing on applications in different areas of neuroscience.
• G. Mather. Foundations of Perception, Psychology Press, 2006 [ISBN: 0-86377-834-8 (hardcover), oder 0-86377-835-6 (paperback)]
A coherent, up-to-date introduction to the basic facts and theories concerning human sensory perception.
Prerequisites / NoticeSince I have to gravel from Linz, Austria, to Zurich to give this lecture, I plan to hold this lecture in blocks (every 2nd week).
402-0577-00LQuantum Systems for Information TechnologyW8 credits2V + 2US. Filipp
AbstractIntroduction to experimental quantum information processing (QIP). Quantum bits. Coherent Control. Quantum Measurement. Decoherence. Microscopic and macroscopic quantum systems. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in molecules and solids. Ions and neutral atoms in electromagnetic traps. Charges and spins in quantum dots. Charges and flux quanta in superconducting circuits. Novel hybrid systems.
ObjectiveIn recent years the realm of quantum mechanics has entered the domain of information technology. Enormous progress in the physical sciences and in engineering and technology has allowed us to envisage building novel types of information processors based on the concepts of quantum physics. In these processors information is stored in the quantum state of physical systems forming quantum bits (qubits). The interaction between qubits is controlled and the resulting states are read out on the level of single quanta in order to process information. Realizing such challenging tasks may allow constructing an information processor much more powerful than a classical computer. The aim of this class is to give a thorough introduction to physical implementations pursued in current research for realizing quantum information processors. The field of quantum information science is one of the fastest growing and most active domains of research in modern physics.
ContentA syllabus will be provided on the class web server at the beginning of the term (see section 'Besonderes'/'Notice').
Lecture notesElectronically available lecture notes will be published on the class web server (see section 'Besonderes'/'Notice').
LiteratureQuantum computation and quantum information / Michael A. Nielsen & Isaac L. Chuang. Reprinted. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press ; 2001.. 676 p. : ill.. [004153791].

Additional literature and reading material will be provided on the class web server (see section 'Besonderes'/'Notice').
Prerequisites / NoticeThe class will be taught in English language.

Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics is required, prior knowledge in atomic physics, quantum electronics, and solid state physics is advantageous.

More information on this class can be found on the web site: Link
701-1418-00LModelling Course in Population and Evolutionary BiologyW4 credits6PS. Bonhoeffer, V. Müller
AbstractThis course provides a "hands-on" introduction into mathematical/computational modelling of biological processes with particular emphasis on evolutionary and population-biological questions. The models are developed using the Open Source software R.
ObjectiveThe aim of this course is to provide a practical introduction into the modelling of fundamental biological questions. The participants will receive guidance to develop mathematical/computational models in small teams. The participants chose two modules with different levels of difficulty from a list of projects.

The participant shall get a sense of the utility of modelling as a tool to investigate biological problems. The simpler modules are based mostly on examples from the lecture ""Ecology and evolution: populations" (Lecture nr: 701-1415-00 V (D-UWIS) or 551-0303-00L (D-BIOL)). The advanced modules address topical research questions. Although being based on evolutionary and population biological methods and concepts, these modules also address topics from other areas of biology.
Contentsee Link
Lecture notesFor participants of the course who have not attended the lecture "Ecology and evolution: populations" (Lecture nr: 701-1415-00 V (D-UWIS) or 551-0303-00L (D-BIOL)), a preparatory script can be obtained upon request.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course builds upon the lecture "Ecology and evolution: populations" (Lecture nr: 701-1415-00 V (D-UWIS) or 551-0303-00L (D-BIOL)). Participants of the course, that have not attended this lecture are expected to read a preparatory script, to be obtained from Link.

The course is based on the open source software R. Experience with R is useful but not required for the course. An introduction into R and data analysis is given in the course 551-0321-00 "Biological Data Analysis" by Dr. S. Güsewell.
252-5251-00LComputational ScienceW2 credits2SP. Arbenz, I. Sbalzarini
AbstractClass participants study and make a 40 minute presentation (in English) on fundamental papers of Computational Science. A preliminary discussion of the talk (structure, content, methodology) with the responsible professor is required. The talk has to be given in a way that the other seminar participants can understand it and learn from it. Participation throughout the semester is mandatory.
ObjectiveStudying and presenting fundamental works of Computational Science. Learning how to make a scientific presentation.
ContentClass participants study and make a 40 minute presentation (in English) on fundamental papers of Computational Science. A preliminary discussion of the talk (structure, content, methodology) with the responsible professor is required. The talk has to be given in a way that the other seminar participants can understand it and learn from it. Participation throughout the semester is mandatory.
Lecture notesnone
LiteraturePapers will be distributed in the first seminar in the first week of the semester
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