Computational Neuroscience - Winter term 2025/26
This interdisciplinary lecture series provides an introduction to computational neuroscience. Topics range from a general overview on neurobiology and basic modeling to neuroengineering and neuroprothetics. In winter terms a focus is given to neuroengineering whereas summer terms cover topics more strongly related to biological mechanisms.
The lecture is taught as a "Ringvorlesung" with multiple lecturers from TUM and LMU. Each lecturer will give her/his part individually and in her/his style. The lecturers and the specific topics change over the years.
Some background on Julius Bernstein, who lent his name to the Bernstein Network: Julius Bernstein (1839–1917): pioneer neurobiologist and biophysicist.
Day and Time
Tuesday 18:00-19:30 s.t., winter term 2025/26
Venue
Munich Institute of
Biomedical Engineering
(MIBE), Technische
Universität München,
Boltzmannstr. 11,
Hörsaal E.126 im
Erdgeschoss
https://www.bioengineering.tum.de/ihr-weg-zu-uns
No video recording. Although, individual lecturers might record their lectures or provide videos, this is not generally the case. So please make sure to attend the lectures!
Moodle
More information and lecture notes will be posted on the Moodle page Moodle@elearningTUM a couple of days before each lecture listed below.
For general inquiries about the lecture, please contact PD Dr. Kay Thurley.
Overview
| No. | Date | Lecturer | Topic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/14 | Herz | Modelling |
Introduction to Computational Neuroscience |
| 2 | 10/21 | Luksch | Biology |
Neuroanatomy primer |
| 3 | 10/28 | Luksch | Biology |
Neurophysiology |
| 4 | 11/04 | Młynarski | Modelling | Information theory in neurobiology |
| 5 | 11/11 | Gjorgjieva | Modelling | Plasticity and development of neural circuits |
| 11/18 | no lecture | |||
| 6 | 11/25 | Jacob | Engineering | State-of-the-art of implantable brain-computer interfaces |
| 7 | 12/02 | Wolfrum | Engineering | Cell-chip communication |
| 8 | 12/09 | Seeber | Engineering |
Neuroprosthetics I: Cochlear Implants: System overview and stimulation algorithms |
| 9 | 12/16 | Seeber | Engineering |
Neuroprosthetics II: Cochlear Implants: Electric stimulation of the auditory nerve, phenomenological models |
| Christmas break | ||||
| 10 | 01/13 | Hemmert | Engineering | Neuroprosthetics III: Overview and key issues in neuro implants |
| 11 | 01/20 | Hemmert | Engineering | Neuroprosthetics IV: Electrical and optogenetic excitation of neurons |
| 12 | 01/27 | Sirota | Integration |
Methods of systems neuroscience: measurement and perturbation of neural activity |
| 13 | 02/03 | Sirota | Integration |
Systems mechanisms of learning and memory from theory to experimental data |
| Exam |
Exam/Credits
3 ECTS
In the written examination, an overview of the various
aspects of computational neuroscience taugh in this course will be
tested. Knowledge-based learning outcomes from the lecture as well as
the understanding and ability to solve (practical) problems will be
assessed in a 60 min written examination with questions set and
corrected by the respective lecturers.
Example exam. Here you can find an example exam and the sample solutions. It provides an impression of the style of questioning, but not questions on the topics of the current semester! Due to the varying lecture content and changes in the lecturers involved over the different semesters, we cannot provide further example exams. Please ask the individual lecturers for additional help, e.g., self-assessment questions, if such content is not already provided on the Moodle page.
Retake exam. The course runs every semester, so you can
repeat the exam regularly next semester, but be advised that focus
changes between summer and winter semesters. This means that the exam in
the summer will examine somewhat different material than in the winter,
albeit the core will stay the same. Hence taking the repeat in the
summer is not so advised.
Further questions. For other questions on the exam please contact PD Dr. Kay Thurley.