EdX

Neuronal Dynamics (edX)

Neuronal Dynamics (edX)

The activity of neurons in the brain and the code used by these neurons is described by mathematical neuron models at different levels of detail.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course gives an introduction to the field of theoretical and computational neuroscience with a focus on models of single neurons. Neurons encode information about stimuli in a sequence of short electrical pulses (spikes). Students will learn how mathematical tools such as differential equations, phase plane analysis, separation of time scales, and stochastic processes can be used to understand the dynamics of neurons and the neural code.

What you'll learn
How mathematical tools such as differential equations, phase plane analysis, separation of time scales, and stochastic processes can be used to understand the dynamics of neurons and the neural code

Syllabus

Week 1: A first simple neuron model
Week 2: Hodgkin-Huxley models and biophysical modeling
Week 3: Two-dimensional models and phase plane analysis
Week 4: Two-dimensional models (cont.)/ Dendrites
Week 5: Variability of spike trains and the neural code
Week 6: Noise models, noisy neurons and coding
Week 7: Estimating neuron models for coding and decoding

Suggested Readings:
Neuronal Dynamics: From Single Neurons to Networks and Models of Cognition

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Teaching Students Who Have Suffered Complex Trauma (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Queensland University of Technology

Teaching Students Who Have Suffered Complex Trauma (FutureLearn)

Find out what complex trauma is, how it affects children and adolescents, and what can be done to help. Learn how to support students who have experienced complex trauma. Complex trauma affects the physical, emotional and social development of children and adolescents. In order to minimise harm, teachers and school leaders need to respond appropriately using trauma-informed practices and policies. In this course, you’ll get an introduction to what complex trauma is and how it affects young people’s development at school.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Behavioral Neuroscience: Foundations of Compulsive Behaviors (edX) EdX
University of Alaska Fairbanks,AlaskaX

Behavioral Neuroscience: Foundations of Compulsive Behaviors (edX)

The first MOOC to teach behavioral neuroscience research using laboratory mice. Learn responsible conduct of research and how to collect scientific data using two different tests that measure compulsions, and interpret and discuss the results in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences (Coursera)

What is our role in the universe as human agents capable of knowledge? What makes us intelligent cognitive agents seemingly endowed with consciousness? This is the second part of the course 'Philosophy and the Sciences', dedicated to Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences. Scientific research across the cognitive sciences has raised pressing questions for philosophers. The goal of this course is to introduce you to some of the main areas and topics at the key juncture between philosophy and the cognitive sciences. Each week we will introduce you to some of these important questions at the forefront of scientific research. We will explain the science behind each topic in a simple, non-technical way, while also addressing the philosophical and conceptual questions arising from it.

Oct 19th 2026
4 Weeks
Medical Neuroscience (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Medical Neuroscience (Coursera)

Medical Neuroscience explores the functional organization and neurophysiology of the human central nervous system, while providing a neurobiological framework for understanding human behavior. In this course, you will discover the organization of the neural systems in the brain and spinal cord that mediate sensation, motivate bodily action, and integrate sensorimotor signals with memory, emotion and related faculties of cognition. The overall goal of this course is to provide the foundation for understanding the impairments of sensation, action and cognition that accompany injury, disease or dysfunction in the central nervous system. The course will build upon knowledge acquired through prior studies of cell and molecular biology, general physiology and human anatomy, as we focus primarily on the central nervous system.

Oct 12th 2026
13-24 Weeks
Behavioral Neuroscience: Contrasting Tests for Anxiety and Depression (edX) EdX
University of Alaska Fairbanks,AlaskaX

Behavioral Neuroscience: Contrasting Tests for Anxiety and Depression (edX)

In this online course, learn how to critically evaluate the use of different behavioral tests for anxiety and depression in laboratory mice, and gain a better understanding of how these tests can affect the interpretation of results in the context of mental illness and human psychiatric conditions and mouse models.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
The Biology of Bugs, Brains, and Beasts (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of York

The Biology of Bugs, Brains, and Beasts (FutureLearn)

Improve your understanding of some of the key concepts in A level biology and discover what's involved in higher level study. Prepare for university study with this online biology course. Are you a student in sixth form and thinking of studying at university? On this course, you will use innovative research to enhance your understanding of basic biological concepts taught in A level biology.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Physical Sciences (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Physical Sciences (Coursera)

What is the origin of our universe? What are dark matter and dark energy? This is the first part of the course 'Philosophy and the Sciences', dedicated to Philosophy of the Physical Sciences. Scientific research across the physical sciences has raised pressing questions for philosophers. The goal of this course is to introduce you to some of the main areas and topics at the key juncture between philosophy and the physical sciences.

Oct 19th 2026
4 Weeks
Advanced Neurobiology I (Coursera) Coursera
Peking University

Advanced Neurobiology I (Coursera)

Hello everyone! Welcome to advanced neurobiology! Neuroscience is a wonderful branch of science on how our brain perceives the external world, how our brain thinks, how our brain responds to the outside of the world, and how during disease or aging the neuronal connections deteriorate. We’re trying to understand the molecular, cellular nature and the circuitry arrangement of how nervous system works.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
AP® Psychology - Course 3: How the Mind Works (edX) EdX
The University of British Columbia,UBCx

AP® Psychology - Course 3: How the Mind Works (edX)

Learn about the neuroscience and psychology of the mind including memory, thinking, reasoning, and language. In this psychology course, you will learn about the mind and the psychology of learning, including coverage of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning. We will look at the psychology and neuroscience of cognition — including memory, thinking and reasoning. The course will conclude with the coverage of language.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything (edX) EdX
Barbara Oakley & Olav Schewe

Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything (edX)

Do you spend too much time learning, with disappointing results? Do you put off studying because it’s boring and you’re easily distracted? This course is for you! In Learn Like a Pro , beloved teacher of learning Dr. Barbara Oakley, and learning coach extraordinaire Olav Schewe lay out techniques that can help you master any material. Based on easy-to-understand but cutting-edge neuroscientific research, Learn Like a Pro is like no other course on learning—join us today!

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Neuroscience Reconstructed: Genetics and Development (edX) EdX
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,EPFLx

Neuroscience Reconstructed: Genetics and Development (edX)

This course will cover the basic concepts in neurogenetics; introduce the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, translatomics; classical and cutting-edge experimental approaches; and how integrative simulation can be used to derive biological meaning from genetics data and build bridges from genetics all the way to behaviour.

Self Paced
Self-Paced