CSB334 – Methods and Analysis in Behavioral Neuroscience
September 2025, co-teach with Prof. Jimmy Fraigne
The scale and complexity of biological data are fast expanding as biotechnology develops. How are we going to process and interpret large-scale data? Using example-based approaches in the context of behavioural neuroscience (e.g., sleep, movement, learning, decision-making), this course aims to bridge biology and computational analysis techniques. Through lectures and hands-on sessions, students will learn about modern methodology in neuroscience (e.g., electrophysiology, optogenetics, calcium imaging) and how to analyze neural data sets. Students will be introduced to programming in MATLAB tailored for neuroscience, signal processing, image processing, statistical analysis, and machine learning techniques. By developing practical skills through various neural data types (e.g., EEG, EMG, Ca2+ Imaging), this course equips students with the skills to handle neural data, basic computational approaches in neuroscience, and a quantitative understanding of brain functionality.
| Prerequisites | BIO270 & BIO271/PSL300 & PSL301 and MAT136H |
| Recommended Preparation | Students should familiarize themselves with linear algebra. A strong interest in neuroscience, data analysis, or computational biology is recommended. Recommended course: CJH332 |
CSB434 – Introduction & Methods of Systems Neuroscience
September 2024, next September 2025 (TBD)
Systems neuroscience aims to provide quantitative and causal links between neural circuits/networks and perception, behavior, and cognition. In this course, I will introduce popular animal models with simpler brains and interpret the neural mechanisms from multiple perspectives, to help students acquire a quantitative understanding. Particularly, this course will emphasize interdisciplinary technology, such as large-scale optical neural recording and computational tools. Knowledge gained will provide insights into understanding brain functions, mental disorders, and artificial intelligence.
CSB1020HS LEC0152 – Current Topics in Systems Neuroscience
January 2024, next January 2026
How do neurons cooperate and coordinate to produce flexible and adaptive behaviors? Using various animal models, this course aims to provide quantitative and causal links between neural circuits/networks and perception, behavior, and cognition at the systems level. Through presentation and writing assignment, students will learn about the popular animal models with simpler brains (such as fly, zebrafish, rodents, and primates), and interpret the neural mechanisms from multiple perspectives, to acquire a quantitative understanding. Particularly, this course will emphasize interdisciplinary technology, such as large-scale optical neural recording and advanced computational tools. Students will take actively roles, present recently published research articles, participate in discussions, and write a report.