- Docente: Giovanna Citti
- Credits: 6
- SSD: MATH-03/A
- Language: English
- Moduli: Giovanna Citti (Modulo 1) Maria Carla Tesi (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 1); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Mathematics (cod. 6730)
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from Oct 26, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026
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from Sep 14, 2026 to Oct 20, 2026
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student has knowledge of analytic approach to biomedical and biomechanical problems. The student is able to express these problems with instruments of geometrical analysis and differential equations.
Course contents
The course shows mathematical models of brain functionality at different scales, from the dynamics of a single excitable cell to the collective organisation of neural activity and visual perception.
2-Microscopic models: the single neuron and signal propagation
Evolution of an electrical signal along nerve fibres: the Hodgkin–Huxley model and the FitzHugh–Nagumo system. Models for signal propagation.
1-Models of the primary visual cortex and perceptual phenomena
Classical perceptual models as minima of functionals: differential calculus in Banach spaces.
At a larger scale, neuronal populations are represented as Riemannian or sub-Riemannian manifolds. Models of brain functionality expressed in this setting are able to riproduce visual perceptual phenomena.
Readings/Bibliography
Citti Sarti, Neuromathematics of vision, Springer
Corrado Mascia, Eugenio Montefusco, "Un invito alla biomatematica", Edizioni LaDotta
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures on the classical or virtual board
Assessment methods
oral exam. Dates can be agreed upon with the instructor.
Teaching tools
Office hours and tutoring.
PDF notes from the virtual board, covering some parts of the program
textbooks on different part of the program
Office hours
See the website of Giovanna Citti
See the website of Maria Carla Tesi