With the advent of cutting-edge technologies, we have developed new ways to measure human brain activity. The brain-computer interface (BCI) is a direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device. Devices like these allow us to detect cognitive and sensory-motor functions such as phantom limb movements, selective attention and sleep patterns. A computer, programmed to detect these states, can help the user distinguish speech sounds in a new language or help a fully paralysed user communicate with the outside world.This rapidly emerging field is highly interdisciplinary in nature and draws on expertise in the fields of neuroscience, computer science, cognition, artificial intelligence, user interface design and psychology.In this course you will start with a general tutorial-style introduction into BCIs, followed by projects in small interdisciplinary groups. These projects will teach you how to build a fully functioning BCI within one week in the application domain of your choice.We will cover a range of different topics during the course in the form of lectures, discussions and practical and theoretical learning methods. These will be offered in collaboration with the Department of Artificial Intelligence and the Cognitive Neuroscience Research Master. The course will start with an introduction to BCIs, brain properties and brain signals. We will then move on to evoked BCIs (such as the visual matrix speller and steady-state response BCIs), induced BCIs (such as movement-based BCIs and covert-attention BCIs) and haemodynamic response BCIs. You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with all three types. The second half of the week will cover the social impact of BCIs and the future possibilities they offer. We will work on our BCI design project throughout the course, which will end in a final project and presentations.

Course leader
Dr. Jason FarquharAssociate Professor Donders Centre for CognitionRadboud University

Target group
Advanced level Bachelor's students or Master's students in the fields of psychology, computer science, AI, neuroscience or a related study with a keen interest in the new possibilities of intimately coupling the brain and computer, with applications for healthy users (e.g. games) and for patients (e.g. prosthetic devices).Entry levelAdvanced Bachelor's Master's

Course aim
After this course you will be able to:Understand the EEG signals that can be detected as markers of mental activity Apply machine learning techniques to brain signals and build a functioning brain-computer interface in Matlab Understand the basics of measuring brain signals Discuss the developments and the future of this field

Credits info
2 ECTS European Credits

Fee info
EUR 400: The course fee includes the registration fee, course materials, access to library and IT facilities, coffee/tea, lunch, and a number of social activities.Discounts10% discount for early bird applicants. The early bird deadline is 1 April 2015. 15% discount for students and PhD candidates from Radboud University and partner universities

Radboud University
Address: P.O Box 9102 Nijmegen
Postal code: 6500 HC
City: Nijmegen
Country: Netherlands
Website: http://www.ru.nl/radboudsummerschool/
E-mail: radboudsummerschool@ru.nl
Phone: +31 (0)24 8187706