Visual neuroscience studies the neural underpinnings of visual function and visual sensation. Its results contribute to our understanding of cognitive brain processes in general and also help to boost the capabilities of technological vision systems.

Vision neuroscience involves a wide variety of methods and approaches—computational theory, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, functional imaging, psychophysics, neuropsychology, and others—and illustrates perhaps more clearly than any other area of brain research, the overriding need to combine and coordinate these diverse efforts.

This intensive course introduces young scientists (from late pre-doctoral to early post-doctoral stage) to outstanding contemporary work in vision that exemplifies a variety of approaches to Computational Vision. The training workshop consists of a series of research lectures, tutorials and hands-on experience in small groups. Scientific training will be complemented with tutorials on soft skills.

The workshop is organized by the European Initial Training Network CODDE that links several European labs working on issues of perception and motor control. CODDE (http://www.optimaldecisions.org) stands for "Co-ordination for optimal decisions in dynamic environments". CODDE is funded by the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme.

The course will be held at idyllic and inspiring Schloss Rauischholzhausen in Hessia, Germany (pictured above). The main selection criterion will be the degree to which each individual can be expected to benefit from the course. In addition, the organizers will attempt to balance fields, nationalities, and genders among participants. Food and lodging is free for all selected applicants. Travel support is not available.

Confirmed speakers include Marty Banks (Berkeley), Rob van Beers (Utrecht), Matthias Bethge (Tübingen), Gustavo Deco (Barcelona), Sophie Deneve (Paris), Bill Geisler (Austin), Anya Hurlbert (Newcastle), Konrad Körding (Chicago), Larry Maloney (New York), Pascal Mamassian (Paris), Tony Movshon (New York), Dario Ringach (Los Angeles), Eero Simoncelli (New York), and Li Zhaoping (London).