Exploring Neural Data

Exploring Neural Data is an opportunity to learn about neuroscience research and explore questions related to how brains work. It is an introductory level course designed to help you understand the real-life challenges faced by neuroscientists as they work with the large amount of data they collect from the brain. Leading neuroscientists will give tours of their labs, describe their research, and explain their data analytic techniques. You will have the chance to explore actual data collected in these researchers' labs.

Throughout the course, you will gain knowledge in three main areas: basic principles of neuroscience and questions driving research in this field; programming with the open-source language Python; and essential techniques for data analysis. We will begin by exploring single neurons, then turn our attention to multiple neurons, and finally consider tools that sample from tens of thousands of neurons. At the end of the class, you will have the opportunity to investigate in detail a data set of your choice provided by one of the researchers whose work you've learned about.

Module 1
What does the brain tell us? Exploring neural responses

Module 2
Why are humans unique? Exploring motor control

Module 3
How do we make sense of our senses? Exploring visual objects

Module 4
What happens when we sleep? Exploring brain states

Module 5
Delving deeper: Final projects