Course Catalog

システム神経科学論
Advanced Systems Neuroscience

計算論的神経科学
2単位

Computational Neuroscience

2単位

ception, behavioral actions, emotion, decision-mak-tional neuroscience, which is an approach for un-

ing and thinking are mediated by nerve cells in thederstanding brain functions through mathematicalbrain, more than 10 billion of which exist in theformulation. Participants learn how to analyze andcerebral cortex alone, making local and global, hi-

hypothesize through a computational point of viewerarchical networks, and representing and process-on their own project. The approaches of computa-

ing neuronal information under specialized working

tional neuroscience try to understand brain func-

principles. In Advanced System Neuroscience,

tions by analyzing multiple levels of neuroscientiﬁc

graduate students are expected to master thephenomena on molecular, cell, network and system

coding of nerve signals, detection and perception

levels. The goal of this course is to study math-of sensory stimuli, control of actions and motor

ematical and statistical concepts bridging multiple

learning, emotion and decision-making. Classes willlevels of neural and behavioral data, such as neu-

consist of lectures, workshops and discussions in aral encoding and decoding, information theory, andsmall group of students and professors.

Bayesian statistics.

コンピュータシミュレーション技法

システム神経科学技法
Systems Neuroscience Technique

1単位

Computer Simulation Technique

1単位

To understand the mechanism of the neural system,

Computer simulation is an eﬀective method to con-researchers need to obtain precise and reliable

ﬁrm what phenomena emerge from a hypothesized

experimental data by an appropriate combination

model. For instance, we can easily examine theof several experimental techniques. In this lecture,eﬀect of a certain cause by using a simulation of

students will learn the basics and applications ofa biologically detailed model. This also allows us

anatomical and physiological techniques widelyto understand the background mechanisms of anused in neuroscience, such as tracer injections, mi-observed phenomenon by looking for the smallest

croscopy, electroencephalograms, and extracellularmodel required in order to reproduce that phenom-

and intracellular recordings. The students willenon. This lecture provides concrete examples tolearn how to select experimental techniques andstudy the required basic techniques in regards to

how to analyze their experiment data in accordance

the 2 contrary courses of action of pursuing bio-with the purpose of their own studies.

logical ﬁdelity on one side and of simpliﬁcation inorder to ﬁnd mechanisms on the other.

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学則・規程

In this course, we review theoretical and computa-

脳科学研究科

Higher-order brain functions such as sensory per-

脳画像解析学
Brain Image Analysis

発達科学
2単位

Developmental Science

2単位

The goals of this class are to master the theory ofThis course is intended for students to seek thehuman non-invasive measurement of brain activity,

essence of human behavioral changes with a fo-

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), andcus on cognitive psychology, developmental psy-

to cultivate the skills for experimental designs andchology and linguistics, in order to deepen theiranalyses for fMRI.

understanding. In particular, students will learn

In the ﬁrst half, students will learn about possible

about the latest research on scientiﬁc approaches

dangers, ethical issues for participants, and imag-

to understanding a variety of findings in the de-ing mechanisms in MRI experiments. Also, students

velopmental process of infants. The first half ofwill gain understanding on RF pulse sequences andthe course will focus on explaining the concept ofthe meanings of the MR images. Furthermore, stu-development in science (Hiroyuki Okada). We will

dents will learn how to control interface devices,

also touch upon the modeling of learning mecha-

such as stimulus presentation systems, recording

nisms through a connectionist approach, which has

systems for biological reaction etc., which are nec-

become a hot topic in recent years. In the latter

essary for fMRI experiments.

half, we will reveal various experimental aspects

In the latter half, students will study from basicof its development, by concentrating on language

analyses to applied ones for fMRI data. Then, in

acquisition in infants (Mutsumi Imai).

order to understand the detailed research methodsof fMRI correctly, students will gain the knowledge required for task design with considerationof the characteristics of fMRI. Furthermore, stu-

発達科学技法Developmental Science Technique

1単位

dents will actually try to make task designs along

This course provides opportunities to learn andsome given themes and have discussions in order toexperience various research methods of develop-

make up their skills for their own fMRI research.

mental sciences so that students can apply suggestions from brain research to education, connecting
information from linguistics, cognitive psychol-

ニューロイメージング技法
Neuroimaging Technique

1単位ogy, and developmental psychology. Students will
experience data collection and analysis of ques-

The aim of this course is to learn about proce-tionnaires, surveys, behavioral observations, anddures for fMRI studies. The student will be shown

behavioral experiments. Especially in behavioral

how to perform fMRI tasks and how to calculate

observations, we will discuss the correlation be-

fMRI data. The student will also experience 3

tween mother-child/child-child social interaction

tesla MRI operation.

and first/second language acquisition. Students
will also learn manipulations and acoustic analysesof sounds, which are used in studies of speech perception and production. By comparing these multiple research methods, we will discuss appropriate
usage of these methods.

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コミュニケーションロボット工学
Communication Robot Engineering

パラレル情報処理解析学
2単位

Parallel Information Processing

2単位

To understand information processing in the brain,

jects, one tries to estimate what the other party

it is necessary to analyze functional spike activi-

intends to do in order to establish optimal mutualties of many neurons which are simultaneouslyinteractions, because the other party is a humanmeasured through a multi-neuronal recording tech-

being with his/her own will. Lectures in Communi-nique. In this lecture, students will learn the basics

cation Robot Engineering cover theoretical models

and applications of this multi-neuronal recording

required for constructing robots that can interact

technique, focusing in particular on classical andwith humans, for the development of cognitive

up-to-date researches on the mechanism of spatial

functions and for algorithms for control systems.

cognition and memory by hippocampal neurons in

While studying the literature, graduate students

rats. The students will also have a simulated ex-

introduce and discuss the latest researches, which

perience to review an original paper as a reviewer

will be provided by the professors, to learn about

with scientiﬁc insight and criticism.

脳科学研究科In the case of communication between human sub-the backgrounds and perspectives of researches inabout how to read the literature.

Advanced Brain Sciences A (Robotics)

1単位

Robotics consists of various fields of technology,

脳型学習システム
Brain-type Learning Systems

脳情報先端セミナーＡ（ロボット工学）

2単位such as mechanics, electricity, electrons and information. It is thought that intelligence technology is

In the information processing of the brain, anyof importance for this fusion. In this course, stu-

information-integration is related to learning anddents will study the latest research on the forms

memory. Therefore, in order to understand highof technology that are classified for intelligent

order functions, it is very important to study learn-robots. In particular, topics such as autonomous

ing and memory systems. In this lecture, learning

mobile robot, image recognition, and self-position

and memory systems from the synapse level of aidentification are studied. This seminar is partly

single neuron to the network level of neurons are

conducted in the Brain Science Retreat.

explained. The mechanism and dynamics of learningand memory are introduced from both the experimental side and the theoretic side. In addition, therelation between information representation and the

脳情報先端セミナーＢ（神経計算論）
Advanced Brain Sciences B (Neural Computation) 1単位

memory function in the brain will be touched upon.

The purpose of this course is to learn about cut-

Furthermore, the latest knowledge about learning

ting edge studies in computational neuroscience,and memory will be presented.

theoretical and practical approaches for neuroscience by using computational models, and about
methods of analysis with computational hypothesis in the students own research ﬁelds. In thiscourse, we conduct a series of seminars by invited

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学則・規程

the ﬁeld of communication robot engineering, andspeakers who are globally active in computational

sciences, providing impetus for collaborative ef-

neuroscience and related fields. Participants will

forts between brain scientists and social scientists.

not only study advanced ideas and approaches of

The goal of this course is to delineate the scopethese ﬁelds but will also learn computational andof the potential implications that ﬁndings in brain

quantitative analysis methods for their own re-science could have on research and theory build-search projects. This seminar is partly conducted

ing in social sciences̶beyond the ﬁelds of neuro-

in the Brain Science Retreat.

economics and behavior economics̶from the perspectives of the social scientists.

認知心理学
Cognitive Psychology

2単位The origin of human intellectual activity is the

脳情報先端セミナーＣ（情報創成）
Advanced Brain Sciences C (Information Creation)

1単位

brain, but, depending on the actions, it is pos-In this seminar, researches of information cre-sible to observe activities to create wisdom. The

ation (i.e. thinking, reasoning and creativity) are

understanding of intelligent behavior as informa-presented in the ﬁelds of experimental psychology,tion processing leads to a deeper understanding of

neuroscience, and computational neuroscience. The

knowledge. In this lecture, we discuss the concepts

mechanisms of human creativity are main themeof cognitive science, methodology, and researchbased on the evidence of neuroscience in animal

trends.

and human experiments. This seminar is given in
English. The students are required to have theability to discuss in English. This seminar is part-

情報創成科学
Information Creation Science

2単位

Animals with developed brains have inference
abilities with which they can estimate relationships
between events without direct experience. Thesely conducted in the Brain Science Retreat.

脳科学先端セミナー D（社会科学）
Advanced Brain Sciences D (Social Sciences) 1単位

abilities enable human beings, who have the mostFindings in the brain sciences have recently had

advanced inference abilities, to create new things

significant impacts on various fields in the socialand events. To understand the basic mechanisms

sciences, providing impetus for collaborative ef-of creative brain functions, we will study (1) psy-

forts between brain scientists and social scientists.

chological theories in learning and thinking and (2)In this course, we conduct a series of seminars by

theories in neural computation. At the end of theinvited speakers who are globally active in social

course, we will discuss the results of recent stud-sciences and related ﬁelds. This seminar is partly

ies on inference, thinking and creativity.

conducted in the Brain Science Retreat.

社会科学から見た脳科学

研究者倫理論The Impact of Brain Science on Social Sciences 2単位

Scientiﬁc Research Ethics

2単位

Findings in the brain sciences have recently had

Scientific development relies on trueness, trust

significant impacts on various fields in the socialand fairness of research practice. Scientiﬁc mis-158

conduct ‒violation of these norms- hampers thesound development of science. We discuss scientiﬁc misconduct and questionable research practice

社会システム制御論
Social System Control

2単位through case study and cultivate research ethics as

It is important to understand the individual play-practical wisdom.

ers that constitute a society in order to control thesocial system. However, a society is not a simple
collection of individuals. Without a perspective

心理物理学
Psychophysics

2単位

to understand mutual communications among society members, it would be diﬃcult to decide andimplement social policies and plans. For better

presentation and accurate measurement of behav-

institutional design, it is necessary to understandior are indispensable. Experimental psychology has

the mechanisms of cognition and emotion in social

developed psychophysical methods to analyze thedecision-making and their neural substrates. This

relationship between stimulus and response. In thiscourse will be delivered in the form of lectures,

course, we will systematically study psychophysi-

workshops, and group discussion.

脳科学研究科In system-neuroscience, well-controlled stimulus

cal methods and related psychological theories, as

will also talk on how we can apply psychophysicaltechniques to neuroscience research.

神経感性工学
Neural KANSEI Engineering

2単位This course discusses the information processingof music from the perspective of cognitive science.

神経経済学
Neuroeconomics

2単位

The student studies the structure, knowledge representation, and cognition of music in reference

Neuroeconomis is a new academic field that sud-to recent music-theoretical research. In doing so,

denly arose at the end of the 20th century. Neuro-

the student gains an insight into the formation of

economics is based on behavioral economics, sys-

various categories of musical entities, the identi-

tems neuroscience for decision-making, and humanﬁcation and designation of the categories, and thefunctional neuroimaging. In the neuroeconomics

relationships between category formation and ourcourse, students will learn the basic methods forunderstanding of music. Finally, as possible top-

neuroeconomics and its ﬁndings. Students will also

ics of ﬁnal projects, we will discuss the computer

study the findings of neuromarketing, which is amodeling of composition and performance of music,

current extension of neuroeconomics. We will as-

and its theories and implementations.

sess how valid neuromarketing is for our society
at present and in the future. Furthermore, we will
try to identify the essence and search the future
perspective of neuroeconomics by considering different aspects of this new research ﬁeld.

神経倫理学
Neuroethics

2単位

Neuroethics recently emerged through the interaction between life-ethics and system-neuroscienceand consequently has two aspects. One istheethics of neuroscience, which criticizes studies

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学則・規程

well as discuss recent psychological studies. We

of neuroscience from the view point of ethics andbehavior are discussed.

morals. The other is the neuroscience of ethics,
which investigates the neural mechanisms of ethical decision-making. In this course, we will read
papers related to both aspects of neuroethics and脳科学研究法Ⅰ（研究サーベイ）
Brain Sciences Research Method I (Research Survey) 2単位

we will consider how neuroscientific studies on

The goal of doctorate course research is to aim

ethics and moral inﬂuence our lives and society.

at a truly original study by seeking novel ﬁndings,
innovative technique, or sophisticated theories ina specific field of brain science. To achieve this,

病態神経科学
Pathological Neuroscience

2単位

students have to have broad knowledge of past andcurrent researches, available and effective tech-

The aim of this course is to learn about symptoms

niques, and most importantly, future directions ofof psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia,

the field. In this class, students will obtain suffi-

depression, autistic disorder, and neurological dis-

cient knowledge to design their own studies appro-order. A further aim is to investigate appropriate

priately, by searching, reading, and understanding

methods to identify neuronal bases of psychiatricvaluable literature in brain science.

and behavioral symptoms using neuroimaging techniques.

脳科学研究法Ⅱ（研究計画）
Brain Sciences Research Method II (Research Planning) 2単位

分子生命科学論
Advanced Molecular Life Science

2単位

Scientific research is a methodology, which provides new experiences from which new knowledge

Modern neuroscience is on the verge of uncover-is also deduced, by conducting well-organized ex-

ing the mechanisms of the development of neurons

periments, analyzing their results and inspecting

and glial cells in the central nervous system, andthese results carefully.

also those of memory and learning at the molecular

In order to clarify the diﬀerences between newly

level.

obtained knowledge and conventional knowledge, it

The ﬁnal goal of this class is for the student to beis necessary to design a well-organized plan and toable to acquire basic knowledge of molecular biol-

carry out experiments according to this plan forogy and the ability to apply this basic knowledge

the achievement of oneʼs own purposes.

to neuroscientiﬁc research.

This class provides methodology that allows stu-

The class is composed of two parts: the ﬁrst partdents to establish their own projects by themselvesis focused on basic molecular biology; the second

through discussion with instructors.

part provides information on processing mecha-

It is required to complete the Brain Sciences

nisms and their regulation in the nervous system.

Method I (Research Survey) course to take this

There will be an emphasis on studies of molecular

course.

mechanisms of synaptic transmission and signaltransduction. Furthermore, the relationship between new genetic engineering techniques. including the technique of recombining DNA, and animal

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脳科学研究法Ⅲ（データ解析）

脳科学研究法セミナー

Brain Sciences Research Method III (Data Analysis) 2単位

Brain Sciences Research Method Seminar

2単位This is a seminar for writing a doctoral thesis as

less all of the causes are controlled. There are

a compilation of all professional skills, knowledge,

uncontrollable internal states in the brain. There-

and research findings the student has gathered,fore, a stochastic view is inevitable to understandafter mastering research surveys, research plan-

the brain through experimental data. Methods toning, data analysis. This is a literacy to advanceinfer objective conclusions from ﬁnite observations

scientific research and develop new technology.

are required to understand stochastic phenomena.

Students will also join in discussions of otherIn this class, we discuss statistical methods tostudents' research, and learn how to utilize what

infer an objective conclusion from speciﬁc experi-

they learned from the discussions to their own re-mental data obtained by proper experiments insearches. Before taking Brain Sciences Researchbrain science and discuss approaches to construct

Method Seminar, Students are required to havetestable hypotheses. It is required to complete theﬁnished Brain Sciences Research Method I, II, III,two courses: Brain Sciences Research Method

and IV.

andBrain Sciences Re-

学則・規程

I (Research Survey)

脳科学研究科Natural phenomena generally look stochastic un-

search Method II (Research Planning) to take thiscourse.

脳科学研究法Ⅳ（論文作成）
Brain Sciences Research Method IV (Thesis Writing) 2単位
The goal of scientiﬁc study is to write an original
paper, in which the experimental procedures andresults have to be described clearly in order forthe readers to realize its originality and usefulness. Without basic techniques of scientiﬁc writing, it is hard to show the scientific validity andoriginality in oneʼs paper. In this class, the supervisor provides an individual with training on how
to write scientific papers. Students are required
to have completed the courses Brain Sciences
Research Methods I (Research Survey), II (Research Planning) and III (Data Analysis) to takethis course.

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