Formal Modelling in Cognitive Science 1 (U01836)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : INF-1-FMCS1

Short Description

This course is designed to teach students various mathematical concepts and techniques in close association with motivating concepts from cognitive science. It will cover basic material from linear algebra and calculus, and from probability and information theory. Computational tools will play an important role in the presentation of the course.

The mathematical systems studied can be presented as a conceptual basis for developing abstract theories, or as models of cognitive systems. Acquiring a sound grasp of the interplay between these two perspectives is an important foundation for cognitive science.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : SCE H-grade Mathematics or equivalent is desirable.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Informatics, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 5 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
08/01/2007	16:10	17:00	Room 8.16, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	16:10	17:00	Central
Lecture	Tuesday	16:10	17:00	Central
Lecture	Thursday	16:10	17:00	Central

? Additional Class Information : Labs (1hr/week) and Tutorials (1hr/week) as arranged.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

After completing this course successfully, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the mathematical concepts and techniques covered in this course by being able to apply them to relevant mathematical problems.
- Recognise the cognitive relevance of the mathematical concepts and techniques covered in this course by being able to apply them to simple modelling problems in cognitive science.
- Describe the relationship between the mathematical formalisation of a cognitive system and its biological implementation and assess the adequacy of the formalisation.
- Demonstrate the understanding the relationship between mathematical concepts and computational tools that implement them by being able to choose the appropriate computational tools for a given mathematical problem or modelling task.
- Analyse and evaluate scientific arguments and present the results of the evaluation in written or oral form.