An Introduction to Natural Computation (Complex Adaptive Systems) F First Edition

by Dana H. Ballard (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0262522588

ISBN-10: 0262522586

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This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the computational material that forms the underpinnings of the currently evolving set of brain models.

It is now clear that the brain is unlikely to be understood without recourse to computational theories. The theme of An Introduction to Natural Computation is that ideas from diverse areas such as neuroscience, information theory, and optimization theory have recently been extended in ways that make them useful for describing the brains programs. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the computational material that forms the underpinnings of the currently evolving set of brain models. It stresses the broad spectrum of learning models―ranging from neural network learning through reinforcement learning to genetic learning―and situates the various models in their appropriate neural context.

To write about models of the brain before the brain is fully understood is a delicate matter. Very detailed models of the neural circuitry risk losing track of the task the brain is trying to solve. At the other extreme, models that represent cognitive constructs can be so abstract that they lose all relationship to neurobiology. An Introduction to Natural Computation takes the middle ground and stresses the computational task while staying near the neurobiology.

Review

I am EXTREMELY enthusiastic about this work. This is the first such book I've seeb that comes even close to covering the topic. I'd love to use it for teahing.

―Alex (Sandy) Pentland, Academic Head, The Media Lab, M.I.T. Toshiba Professor of Media Arts and Sciences

About the Author

Dana H. Ballard is Professor in the Department of Computer Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin, where he has appointments in Psychology, the Institute for Neuroscience, and the Center for Perceptual Systems. He is the author of An Introduction to Natural Computation (MIT Press).

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ MIT Press; F First Edition (January 30, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 332 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0262522586
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0262522588
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 12 and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.86 x 6.85 x 0.73 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,273,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #215 in Memory Management Algorithms
- #1,844 in Neuropsychology (Books)
- #3,173 in Cognitive Psychology (Books)

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David A. Bayliss

Very informative - but you'll need an icepack for your head

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2002

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Fifteen years ago I did research in this area and had just completed a math degree. I thought it would be interesting to get back up to speed.
I found the book fascinating, tremendous work has been done in this field and this is a good broad treatment of it. For anyone who is into computer science but has never studied the brain it will be a tremendous eye opener.
But boy, was it hard work. I found I had to read & re-read sections just to understand some of the math involved. In fairness the book does cover everything you need but if you have never done college level math, or you have forgotten most of it, then don't tackle this book when you are tired!

8 people found this helpful

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Ralph K. Cavin, III

The book is well-written and provides a good overview of the field

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2014

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The book is well-written and provides a good overview of the field. I don't think it breaks new ground in natural computation but rather is designed as a textbook to introduce the field.

One person found this helpful

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Bob Seitsinger

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2015

Verified Purchase

Not done but like what I've read so far. Need math aptitude.

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James P. Turpin

From Caltech

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2000

This book is one of the two main books used in Caltech's Neural Computation class (the other is Introduction to the Theory of Neural Computation by Hertz, Krogh, and Palmer). This book covers a wider spectrum of learning models than most books, including Hertz, et al. It is still fairly mathematically rigorous, although not as much as Hertz, et al. It is ideal for somebody who wants a fairly mathematically rigorous description of the subject, but also wants something more comprehensive than Herts, et al.

13 people found this helpful

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An Introduction to Natural Computation (Complex Adaptive Systems) F First Edition

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