This course explores current interdisciplinary research on intelligence, focusing on four intellectual thrusts: how intelligence is grounded in computation, how these computations develop in childhood, how they are implemented in neural systems, and how social interaction enhances these computations. These thrusts are related through their role in addressing a unifying challenge problem: understanding the computations that enable humans to analyze dynamic visual imagery so as to describe objects and actions in the world. Students are introduced to common computational and empirical methods used in intelligence research, and engage in the integration of these perspectives through class discussions and analysis of current research. This analysis considers the kinds of questions that can be addressed with tools from computation, neuroscience, and cognitive science, the limitations of individual methods, and deep insights that can emerge from their integration.

Open to all graduate students. Undergraduates may enroll with permission of the instructors — interested students should contact Ellen Hildreth at (ehildreth@wellesley.edu).

3-0-9  G

Wednesdays   12:00 — 1:00
Fridays   12:00 — 2:00
All classes will meet in 46-3015
First class meets on Wednesday, September 9

Wednesday classes will be taught in a recitation format and will include student presentations of background material related to the required readings and preliminary discussions of the readings. These recitation classes will be aimed at developing a basic understanding of research results and methodology, and formulating questions for further discussion on Friday. The Friday classes will be taught by faculty and postdoctoral associates affiliated with the Center for Brains, Minds and Machines, and will focus on current research results and questions that emphasize the integration of computational and empirical approaches to the study of aspects of human intelligence.

No Laptop Policy: We kindly ask that you not use your laptop during class, as this can be distracting to the speakers and to other students.

Students are required to complete weekly readings and participate in class discussions. There will be three extended assignments that require the integration of computational and empirical perspectives on problems related to intelligence, short weekly writing assignments related to the readings, and a final project due at the end of the semester. In addition, students will prepare a presentation of some relevant background material and lead a discussion in one of the Wednesday recitation classes. These presentations may be done individually or in pairs. The presenter(s) for each Wednesday class should meet with one or more instructors or TA at least one week in advance of their presentation. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the weekly reading and material to be presented, and to formulate a focus question for discussion that will be posted to the class. All students are required to submit a written response to this question by midnight on Tuesday, prior to the Wednesday recitation. This response should be at most one page (300-500 words). Final grades for the course will be determined as follows:

General class participation	10%
Wednesday class presentation	15%
Assignments	40%
Final project	35%

Students are required to complete a final project, which can take on different forms. A final paper on the project (8-10 pages) is due by Friday, December 11. The project should relate computational and empirical findings on a topic that is connected to the topics presented in the course (see the schedule & assignments page for the list of topics to be covered). It can include an implementation component involving simulation and analysis of a model, or an empirical component involving the design of one or more perceptual experiments with some preliminary results. The project can be related to your own research, if this is connected to the focus of the course. Another option for the project is to read a number of papers related to the computational and empirical aspects of a selected topic, and to provide a critique and suggestions for further studies. Projects can be done individually or in pairs. Project work should adhere to the following time table:

Summary of project topic	October 16
Progress report	November 20
Final project due	December 11

The course site on Stellar will be used to post course materials that are not for public viewing, and to submit assignment and project work:   https://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/9/fa15/9.523/.