This course gives you a chance to hear about the latest research being conducted by scientists at Columbia University. Attendance at lectures is required. After each lecture, you should write a summary of the talk (1/2 to 1 page, maximum) and email it (pasted into the body of your message) to my assistant, Chanda Springer, at cs2660@columbia.edu by the following Wednesday (7 days later) at 8am. The use of computers in class is not permitted. You can check the Grade Book at CourseWorks to verify that your assignments have been recorded. Recording of the grade in CourseWorks may take up to a week.  Grading is based on attendance, class participation and timely submission of summaries.