2026 Fall
NEU 290 003 - SEM 003
Formerly Neuroscience 299
Seminars
The Science of Intelligence
Bruno A. Olshausen, Jacob Lachenmyer Yates, Michael R DeWeese
Aug 26, 2026 - Dec 11, 2026
We
12:00 pm - 01:59 pm
Class #:34613
Units: 1
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Neuroscience
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
-1
Enrolled: 31
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 30
Waitlist Max: 5
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
1 hours of student-instructor coverage of course materials per week, and 2 hours of outside work hours per week.
Other classes by Bruno A. Olshausen
+ 1 Independent Study
Other classes by Jacob Lachenmyer Yates
Other classes by Michael R DeWeese
Course Catalog Description
Course that focuses on topical subjects in specific fields of neuroscience.
Class Description
The dual quests to understand intelligence as it arises in biology, and to build it in machines of our own making, have been with us for nearly a century. While neuroscience and psychology seek to characterize intelligence in terms of underlying neural mechanisms and emergent behavior, we still lack a set of principles that can account for how the interactions of many neurons within a brain gives rise to intelligent behavior. Meanwhile, modern AI is following a largely empirical path to create a new technology without scientific foundation. While the resulting algorithms exhibit intriguing behavior, the working principles are unknown, usage risks are incalculable, and the path to further development is unclear. The premise of this seminar is that the current century will see the emergence of a new scientific discipline - the Science of Intelligence - that seeks to elucidate universal principles that govern intelligent systems, be they biological or machine, and that this will provide both much needed insight in neuroscience and a solid foundation for technological development. The seminar will meet weekly, featuring speakers from across campus and elsewhere, who will share their views on the open questions, topics of study and debate, and relevant disciplines that a science of intelligence will encompass.
Class Notes
The class meets in 101 Weill.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials
Associated Sections
None