ICOS-202: Research Modules in Cognitive Science—Spring 2012
Last updated: 1/3/2012

Details regarding individual modules are posted below. Each student enrolled in the course is to take exactly 3 modules throughout the semester. Students must submit rank ordered preferences for the offered modules to the Director of Cognitive Science. Students should also indicate any modules they are unable to take due to scheduling conflicts with other courses. Students will be assigned to modules on the basis of availability and preference. This process is independent of formal registration.

Neurons in Action
Meeting time: Thursdays, 11am-1pm, 1/19 - 2/2
Meeting place: Reiss 261A
Maximum enrollment: 10

Prof. Rhonda Dzakpasu
Departments of Physics and Pharmacology
Email: dzakpasu@physics.georgetown.edu
Web: www.physics.georgetown.edu/users/rhonda-dzakpasu/

These three two-hour sessions will explore the tutorials of Neurons in Action 2 (NIA2). NIA is a very popular computer-based interactive simulation program that provides an excellent introduction to neural electrophysiology outside of the experimental laboratory environment. The students will work at their own pace, as these tutorials are highly suitable for students with differing backgrounds in neurophysiology.

For the first session, I will provide an overview of NIA2 and describe some of the mini-movies that demonstrate the effects on membrane potential when the magnitude of a stimulus is varied and also when potassium channels are blocked. In addition, I will use these mini-movies to outline which conductances are responsible for generating the action potential as well as describe the propagation of the action potential in both myelinated and un-myelinated axons.

The next two sessions will involve the students in working through the introductory tutorials in NIA. These will be highly interactive, as the students will be challenged to change various parameters and predict the outcome before running the simulations. If time permits, we will begin to work through the more advanced tutorials. Students will be graded on class participation and short take-home problems.

Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition: Functional Organization and Plasticity of the Cerebral Cortex
Meeting time: Wednesdays, 1-3pm, 2/6 - 3/2
Meeting place: New Research Building, WP19
Maximum enrollment: 10

Prof. Josef Rauschecker
Department of Neuroscience
Phone: 202-687-1580
Email: rauschej@georgetown.edu
Web: linc.georgetown.edu

My research tries to understand the neurobiological bases of perception, cognition, and memory. The cerebral cortex is the main site in the brain that is thought to be involved in these higher functions. Therefore, we are trying to figure out how the cortex works, especially with regard to visual and auditory perception, as well as visual-auditory integration. The cortex is also a very smart structure in that it is capable of self- and re-organization during development, and after injury or sensory deprivation.

During three two-hour sessions we will discuss some of the above topics. One session will concentrate on vision, one on audition, and the third on brain plasticity. Students will also visit our laboratories and (hopefully) do a few simple experiments or at least look at results from recent studies performed in our lab. Each student will write a short paper on one of the topics, integrating the contents of the group discussions with the lab results. The grade will be based on this paper and on the contributions during class.

Designing a "Mathematical User" Interface For Graph Analysis
Meeting times: Wednesday, 1-3pm, 3/12 - 3/30
Meeting places: St. Mary's Hall, Room 309 (Math Dept. Computer Lab)
Maximum enrollment: 5

Prof. Paul Kainen
Department of Mathematics
Director, Laboratory for Visual Mathematics
Phone: 202-687-2703
Email: kainen@georgetown.edu
Web: www.georgetown.edu/faculty/kainen/homepage.html
Web: harary.math.georgetown.edu/lab/visualmath.html

Students in the module will learn about the perceptual and cognitive considerations of software design. We consider a current implementation of matrix analysis via Mathematica, which facilitates new types of social research and system coordination. Students won't be required to program (but will have the opportunity if they are interested); however, they will have experience in seeing how software can be used to support mathematical and scientific analysis.

Animal Origins of Music and Emotions
Meeting time: Thursdays, 11am-1pm, 3/12 - 3/30
Meeting place: New Research Building, Rm W202
Maximum enrollment: 8

Prof. Jagmeet Kanwal
Department of Neuroscience, GU Medical Center
Phone: (202) 697-5070
Email: kanwalj@georgetown.edu
Web: www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/kanwalj

My laboratory studies the neuroethology of audiovocal communication in bats. This module will familiarize you with the cognitive and socioemotional neural mechanisms for coding, perception, and recognition of complex sounds. Audiovocal social communication is critical for survival in many species. Singing in birds, bats and humans is an expression of this type of communication (Bats Sing, Mice Giggle, Shanor and Kanwal, 2010; Totem Books). We know relatively little of the neurobiological foundations for social communication and emotional processing. How did this faculty originate in humans, where does it reside in the brain and how does it improve our chances of survival?

This module will focus on the neural basis of music, emotions, and communication. We will meet for three two-hour informal lectures/discussions on these topics. Active student participation is expected. Students will submit a short, one to two page, report integrating their views on a topic related to this module with the information presented in class. Grading will be based on participation and the write up.

Autism Spectrum Disorders
Meeting times: Thursdays, 11am-1pm, 4/2 - 4/30
Meeting place: WGR 308
Maximum enrollment: 8

Prof. Chandan Vaidya
Department of Psychology
306 White Gravenor
Email: cjv2@georgetown.edu
Web: dcnl.georgetown.edu

The research module will focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a relatively common developmental disorder that disrupts social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. You will be introduced to the clinical diagnosis and cognitive dysfunction that characterizes the disorder and some ongoing research about the neural basis of the disorder from Dr. Vaidya's laboratory.

Understanding and Treating Aphasias
Meeting time: Mondays, 1-3pm, 4/2 - 4/30
Meeting place: Building D, Rm 201 (Rm 301 on 4/23)
Maximum enrollment: 10

Profs. Rhonda Friedman and Peter Turkeltaub
Department of Neurology, GU Medical Center
Email: friedmar@georgetown.edu
Email: turkeltp@georgetown.edu
Web: www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/friedmar

Our research focuses on impaired language in the damaged adult brain, i.e., aphasia. We study aphasia resulting from stroke, and from degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease and Primary Progressive Aphasia.

In the module you will learn about the symptoms of aphasia by watching videos of people with aphasia and perhaps by meeting and talking to a person with aphasia. You will also learn about our attempts to aid in the recovery from aphasia by reorganizing the brain either behaviorally or through cutting edge techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation of the brain.