Coursebooks

Controlling behavior in animals and robots

BIOENG-456

Lecturer(s) :

Ramdya Pavan P

Language:

English

Withdrawal

It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.

Summary

Students will acquire an integrative view on biological and artificial algorithms for controlling autonomous behaviors in animals and robots. Students will synthesize and apply this knowledge in oral presentations and exercises.

Content

Each subject will be introduced by preparatory readings that are expanded upon during lecture and followed by (i) a presentation and discussion of primary literature by students and (ii) modeling exercises designed to test and consolidate knowledge. The last half of the course is a group mini-project. Lecture/presentation topics include:

• Defining behavior
• The body and behavior
• Taxis behaviors
• Neural networks
• Collective and social behaviors
• Internal states
• Hierarchical control

Keywords

• behavior
• neuroscience
• neural networks
• flies
• mice
• robots
• embodiment
• sensing
• locomotion
• navigation

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

Neuroscience II: cellular mechanisms of brain function (or the equivalent)

Important concepts to start the course

Neuroscience

Robotics

Programming

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Recall neurobiological and robotic algorithms for behavior
• Draw network models capable of carrying out simple behaviors
• Implement computational models to execute specific behaviors
• Hypothesize how changes in morphology, mechanical properties, or underlying algorithms would influence behaviors expressed

Transversal skills

• Identify the different roles that are involved in well-functioning teams and assume different roles, including leadership roles.
• Give feedback (critique) in an appropriate fashion.
• Make an oral presentation.
• Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
• Use both general and domain specific IT resources and tools
• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
• Summarize an article or a technical report.

Teaching methods

2h lectures per week

2h exercises per week

Exercises (problem solving, model building, project execution and presentation)

Preparation and oral presentations of scientific material

Last half of the course is a hands-on group mini-project

Expected student activities

Students are expected to attend lectures, actively engage in exercises, summarize and present a scientific study, participate in group discussions, and perform a miniproject in a group.

Assessment methods

Continued assessment during the semester