Machine Learning & Deep Learning for Neuroscience
Live Sunday-evening sessions · foundations → architectures → theory → applications
Weeks
12
Live sessions
12
Modules
5
Schedule
Sunday evenings
Dr. Chandra Sekhar Vorugunti
Lead Computer Vision Engineer · Visiting Faculty, Professor of Practice & Senior Mentor
About the Course
A 12-week instructor-guided course on the NeuroAI track, running from October 18 2026 to January 3, 2027. It builds systematically from machine-learning foundations through neural networks and deep learning for neural data, and closes with representation learning and a first look at modern architectures. The course is organised into five modules: Machine Learning Foundations (ML paradigms, regression and classification, classical ML algorithms, framing neuroscience problems), Unsupervised Learning and Reliable Evaluation (clustering, PCA and dimensionality reduction, validation and generalization, data leakage and reproducible pipelines), Neural Networks and Learning (perceptrons and multilayer networks, activations and loss functions, gradient descent and backpropagation, Hebbian learning and STDP, biological plausibility), Deep Learning for Neural Data (CNNs for spatial and image-like data, RNNs / LSTMs / GRUs for temporal data, neuroscience coding tutorials), and Representation Learning and Modern Architectures (autoencoders and VAEs, LFADS as a neuroscience example, introductory exposure to transformers and GNNs, self-supervised and generative learning, final project). Each week combines about 30–45 minutes of recorded preparatory material, a 60–75 minute live conceptual class, a 45–60 minute guided tutorial, a structured practice notebook, a short quiz or submission, and discussion with instructor support through the Neurovidya course space. Learners do not merely hear about methods — they repeatedly apply them to neuroscience data and receive feedback.
Course Curriculum
- Week 1 · Introduction to Machine Learning for Neuroscience — supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning; features, targets and datasets. Lab: Python/Colab orientation; loading and visualizing a simple neuroscience dataset
- Week 2 · Regression and Classification — linear regression, logistic regression and performance measures. Lab: predicting a continuous neural/behavioural variable; classifying experimental conditions
- Week 3 · Classical ML Methods — SVM, decision trees, random forests and k-nearest neighbours. Lab: compare multiple classifiers on the same neuroscience dataset
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Chandra Sekhar Vorugunti
Lead Computer Vision Engineer · Visiting Faculty, Professor of Practice & Senior Mentor
Dr. Chandra Sekhar Vorugunti completed his PhD from IIIT SriCity in deep learning, with visiting scholar stints at IIT Madras, IIT Tirupati, and IIT Indore. He has 14+ years of IT experience, 125+ publications at premier venues including ICDAR, IJCB, WACV, CVPR-W, and ICCV-W, and has delivered 100+ sessions across IITs and NITs. He serves as Visiting Faculty at BITS-Pilani, IIT Tirupati, and IISER Bhopal, and as Professor of Practice at Woxsen University, Krea University, Sathya Sai University, and IIITDM Jabalpur.
View full profilePricing
One-time payment · 12 live sessions
A limited number of merit-based scholarships are awarded each cohort to exceptional applicants who show strong motivation, aptitude and need.
Payment in instalments is also available — write to courses_neurovidya@neurogati.com to arrange a plan.
- ✓ 5 chapters · 12 lessons
- ✓ Certificate of completion
- ✓ Access on all devices
- ✓ Curated by IIT Madras faculty