BIOL 487Computational Neuroscience
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Introduction to modelling and analysis of neurophysiological systems. Models of synaptic plasticity and learning, with focus on the similarities and differences between neuroscience and deep learning.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Earned at least 1 units from STAT 200 - 299
- Students must be in level 3B or higher
- Enrolled in a program offered by Faculty of Science
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6819 | 0 / 20 | T 13:30–15:20 Th 13:30–14:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2557 | 11 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 6820 | 0 / 20 | Th 14:30–15:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it0% easy100% useful
From 1 rating on UW Flow. Read them all on UW Flow.
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
9 posts and comments in 7 threads mention BIOL 487, March 2016 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2024
Biol 476 without 376? Any info on 476 really would be great... 2 points, 4 comments
“I tried to take biol 376 but I am not great with the computer program and dropped it. I really do want to take 476, and I know its generally one large project. Which I am usually good at. …”
u/ononomaetopoeia: “… BIOL 487 is another neuroscience offering in the sci department, CS 115 is a prerequisite though but the course description is pretty interesting. …”
Fall 2023
biol487/syde572 1 point, 2 comments
u/bibbenbap: “Gas anyone taken either BIOL487 or SYDE572? I’m thinking of doing one of them but I haven’t been able to find too much information on what these courses are like, esp BIOL487. Any insight is greatly appreciated and thanks in advance! :)”
u/suiyui: “… Very time consuming assignments in general but grading is lenient so you can get a high 90 in this course if you try hard I was planning on taking SYDE 552/BIOL 487 but took an online course for it instead (Computational neuroscience on Coursera). …”
Winter 2021
Has anyone taken BIOL 487 or SYDE 552? 2 points, 4 comments
Spring 2020
BIOL 376 or BIOL 472 or BIOL 433 WHICH IS THE EASIEST COURSE? 2 points, 3 comments
“Hello everyone! Could anyone tell me which course they found the easiest of out these three? Looking for an easy and low-effort third year science elective. Thank you!”
[deleted]: [deleted]
u/sun-day: “Would you know how it compares to biol 476? I got permission to override biol 376/476 so that I can take biol 487 but have never taken any biol course before”
Spring 2017
BIOL 382 vs 487 2 points, 2 comments
u/asfdasndj34254: “… BIOL 487(Computational Neuroscience) is more restricted to my interests and the course code implies greater complexity, but it sounds less math related; only 100-level CS/200-level STAT prereq vs 100-level MATH(calculus), so I question the usefulness. …”
u/Ksenophon: “They're very different classes, is 382 or 383 the one that's crosslisted with AMATH, I remember it being lots of differential equations and intro to matlab stuff, think you can find the course notes …”
u/asfdasndj34254: “Thanks, I'm guessing you're referring to his textbook w/ solutions? Either way I was looking for course notes so this is great. Couldn't find anything for BIOL 487 though. Personally hoping it at least covers some basic neural network principles without skipping over the math.”
Winter 2016
Is there any courses about brain studies, neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology ? 0 points, 2 comments
“I am a 1A CS student and I am deciding which courses to take ?”
u/AnIncredibleMetric: “… (If you have a math background you might want to opt for something like Biol 487 instead as this course is aimed for people without a huge math background, it might still be interesting for you conceptually). …”
Planning on learning to really program this summer, advice? 11 points, 22 comments
“Hey guys, I am a 4A biology student. I started my degree in math-phys, but it was too instense for my 18 year old self. I did Math 136,235,237 and did relatively well and loved it. …”
u/AnIncredibleMetric: “… learning to plug and play with SKLearn, but you'll still get some tools) Courses Psych 420, Biol 487 (Computational Neuroscience) 420 might be too light on math for you with your background, but you'll probably still find it interesting. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
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