FAQ
I do not have any coding experience. Can I still take the class?We do not recommend taking this class if you have never done any coding before. If you are comfortable with coding (any language), then you should be fine. But we are not going to be teaching how to code in this course. You can browse through the first tutorial, which should be simple, as an indication of the starting point that we expect students to have before the class.
Related to the previous question, to prepare for the class, how do I learn how to code?There are many ways to learn how to code. Harvard CS50 is a great course. Alternatively, many people learn how to code on their own online. There are many resources to learn how to code online. If you have to pick a programming language, we recommend that you learn Python, which is the main language for Machine Learning these days.
I do not have any experience with Neuroscience. Can I still take the class?Yes, you can. Many lectures will be focused on Computer Science, and other lectures will be at the intersection of Computer Science and Neuroscience. Having a basic knowledge of Neuroscience will help you understand and appreciate many of the lectures better. But you can still thrive in the class if you have never taken any Neuroscience related classes.
I do not have any experience with Machine Learning. Should I take the class?We do not expect students to have experience with Machine Learning. If you do have ML experience, several tutorials will be particularly easy and you will be able to work on more advanced projects. The tutorials in the first couple of weeks are meant to bring students up to speed with basic aspects of ML and neural networks.
Can I work on my project with another student?No. Projects should be individual.
Can I use the research that I did last semester in a lab as my project for Neuro 140/240? Can I use my current research in a lab as my project for Neuro 140/240?No. To be fair to all students, you must produce work that was done specifically for Neuro 140/240. Some students choose a project that is an extension or a variation of research that they have done in the past or are currently pursuing in a lab. This is acceptable, as long as there is clear separate work done for Neuro 140/240.
What is the difference between Neuro 140 and Neuro 240?There is no difference. Some graduate programs do not allow students to take 100-level courses so we need to name the class 200-level. Some undergraduate students are intimidated by a 200-level class, so we kept the original 100-level nomenclature as well. The class requirements and evaluation will be the same for students taking Neuro 140 or Neuro 240.
Can I use large language models (LLMs)?Yes, you can. There are two requirements. (1) You have to cite and explain what you did, including prompts, specific LLMs and how they were used. (2) You are responsible for all your work, even if it was done by using a LLM. For example, if you write an answer and the answer is wrong, this is your problem, you cannot blame the LLM. If you present code and the code does not work, you are responsible, not the LLM.
The lectures overlap with my other activities. Is it ok if I skip the lectures?As explained in the rubrics and syllabus, class participation is part of the grade. If you do not participate in class, then you will not get credit for class participation.
I have an idea for a project that is different from the ones listed on the class website. Can I pursue my own project?In principle, yes. Pursuing your own project requires approval by the TAs and Prof. Kreiman. The project must be: (1) related to the topics in the class, (2) non-trivial, (3) doable (with reasonable data sources, computational resources, etc.). Please connect with the TAs and Prof. Kreiman to discuss.
Would I be able to publish the results of my research project in the class?Many students in previous years have published papers inspired by the work they did in the class. In many cases, this required additional work beyond the class. Whatever work you do in class is your work and you are welcome to publish it. The TAs and faculty would be happy to talk to you, provide advice, and help with this process. However, this is not a requirement to pass the class.
Will I be required to do an in-person project presentation to the class?Everyone will be required to do an in-person project presentation, and this is planned for May 6 and May 13, 2025.
Is attendance at the tutorials mandatory?No, it is not. We strongly encourage everyone to attend the tutorials, which are there to help with a lot of the materials, code, and algorithms that you will be using for the projects. However, if you think that you can complete all the homework and work on your project without attending the tutorials, they are not mandatory.
What happens if I am late for an assignment?Every student will be granted a total of 3 "flex" days. You can use thoes 3 days in whatever way you want. E.g., you can be late for one assignment 3 days, or one assignment 1 day and another one 2 days. Beyond that, one point will be deducted from the total for every day that you are late, until you reach a minimum of 0. No student will get a negative grade for an assignment, but you can get a 0, depending on how late you are.
Will the lectures be recorded?We are not going to record the lectures this year.
