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Brains are amazing information processing devices. How did brains evolve? How
are they organized? What sorts of information processing principles do they
implement? How do these principles give rise to adaptive behavior and
'intelligence'?
This course focuses on understanding the information processing problems that organisms face in natural environments and how nervous systems have evolved to
solve those problems.
In this course, you will explore evolutionary trends and trajectories
leading from simple behavior in single cells,
to the emergence of nervous systems in multicellular organisms,
to the sophisticated information processing capabilities of modern
brains.
To add to the fun, you will learn to use agent-based modeling techiques
to design simple 'brains' for controlling the behavior of
artificial creatures in virtual environments!
Prereqs:
Computer programming experience (e.g. CS 101 or 103 or equivalent).
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