Achievement

MATLAB is widely used for data analysis and computational modeling in neuroscience and cognitive science, but faculty and students in these areas often need help getting started with this powerful tool. David Touretzky advertised a three-lecture, hands on MATLAB mini-course designed specifically for this audience. Demand was so high that he ended up offering two sections, both taught during the mid-semester break in early January 2011. A total of roughly 50 graduate students, postdocs, and faculty attended. Two CNBC graduate students with computational backgrounds volunteered to serve as TAs. Touretzky offers this course every 2-3 years, and attendees have indicated it helps them start incorporating computational work into their research activities.

This course is a good example of cooperation across departments and disciplines to enrich the overall intellectual climate of our interdisciplinary community.