The descriptions are for modules currently being taught. They should be viewed as an example of the modules we provide. All modules are subject to change for later academic years.

Neural Computing (NEUC) 2012/3

Workload - Private Study - Assessment - Description - Aims - Learning Outcomes - Content - Teaching Materials - Recommended Books

Module Code COM00076M
Lecturers Simon O'Keefe
Taken By LSCITS 1, LSCITS 2, LSCITS 3, LSCITS 4, MEng CSAI 4, MEng CSBES 4, MEng CSESE 4, MEng CSSE 4, MMath 4, NC
Number of Credits 10
Teaching Autumn 2-5
Open Assessment Open Assessment [100%]
7th Nov → 9th Jan
Feedback: 6th Feb

Module Prerequisites

Prerequisite knowledge

Exercises for this module will require the use of MATLAB. At the start of the module there will be a very short introduction to MATLAB. Some of the training methods for neural systems are described using differential calculus. Some of the behaviours of neurons are described using differential equations.

You may not opt for this module if you have already taken either PAT or INCA in Stage 3.

Workload

  • Lectures: 12 x 1hr
  • Software Labs: 4 x 2hrs
  • Private Study: 60 x 1hr
  • Assessment: 20 x 1hr

Exercises will be provided for you to work on in your own time. Practical sessions will be available to provide assistance with the exercises. Model solutions to exercises will be provided after you have had a chance to work on the exercises.

Private Study

The lectures will describe architectures and algorithms for neural computing. The exercises will reinforce some aspects of this. You will be expected to read around the lecture material to gain a clearer understanding.

Assessment

Open Assessment

Open assessment may include some or all of literature review, construction of a neural network using appropriate software, and design of experiments to evaluate a neural network in the context of a specific problem.

Formative Feedback

Feedback will be given on solutions submitted to exercises distributed during the module.

Description

This module provides a foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge in the subject of neural computing systems; that is, systems that embody algorithms inspired by natural neural systems. After a brief introduction to biological (natural) neural systems, the main emphasis is on the principal artificial neural architectures derived from those natural systems. The emphasis will be on the characterisation of the artificial systems, rather than the analysis of their properties in statistical terms.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify which neural system is suitable for a particular task.
• Design, implement and experiment with neural architectures for a particular task.
• Design appropriate encodings of data.
• Evaluate the application of a particular architecture to a given problem.

Content

The topics to be covered in this module will include:

* Natural neural systems
* Learning in neural systems
* The perceptron
* The multilayer perceptron
* Radial basis function networks
* Associative memories
* Self-organising systems
* Spiking neurons

Teaching Materials

Copies of slides used in lectures and brief summaries of lecture content will be made available via the module web page. These are not substitutes for taking notes and further reading.

Recommended Books

Rating Author Title Publisher Year
+++ Haykin, S Neural Networks and Learning Machines Pearson 2009
++ Bishop, C Neural Networks for Pattern Recognition OUP 1995
++ Callan The Essence of Neural Networks Prentice Hall 1999
++ Beale and Jackson Neural Computing: an introduction Institute of Physics 1990
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Last updated: 27th February 2013