Neural Computing

At the heart of every intelligent system lies the ability to learn from experience. Neural Computing @UPLB is the home of courses and research that explore how machines can model this learning—how they can recognize, decide, and adapt just as humans do. Here, we study the mathematical and algorithmic foundations that allow artificial neural networks to approximate intelligence itself.

Neural computing at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) brings together the tradition of scientific rigor and the spirit of innovation that drives the nation’s leading computing research. It stands at the intersection of computation, cognition, and creativity—where data becomes knowledge and models become tools for discovery.

Welcome to Neural Computing @UPLB. Neural Computing is an instructional endeavor of the Institute of Computer Science aimed at teaching both the fundamental and advanced aspects of neural computation to undergraduate and graduate students. The ultimate goal is to empower students to apply the computational principles of neural computing to solve real-world problems where current algorithmic solutions are either insufficient or intractable, and to create new neural-based computational solutions through scientific research.

At UPLB, undergraduate students enroll in CMSC 191: Introduction to Neural Computing, while graduate students take CMSC 291: Advanced Neural Computing. In these courses, students learn how to design, implement, and train neural networks that can mimic human problem-solving abilities. They will work on problems of discrimination, classification, and identification—tasks that are inherently complex for traditional algorithms but intuitive for human cognition.

The outcome of these courses is a student capable of designing and training neural systems to address real-world challenges in a practical, reproducible, and ethical way—someone who can document, interpret, and communicate computational intelligence clearly, whether in research or in professional practice.

• CMSC 191 – Introduction to Neural Computing: Learn the foundations of neural network models, learning rules, and architectures that power modern machine learning.

• CMSC 291 – Advanced Neural Computing: Explore state-of-the-art architectures, advanced optimization techniques, and research-driven applications in deep learning and neural computation.

• Research and Applications: See how neural computing is being applied to agriculture, environment, education, and society—reflecting UPLB’s mission of science serving people.

Read about a related foundational course: CMSC 170: introduction to Artificial Intelligence

At UPLB, neural computing is not pursued in isolation but as part of a larger vision—to harness artificial intelligence for national development. The techniques learned in these courses can be applied to automate agricultural grading, identify tropical plant and animal species, monitor road safety, and address countless other uniquely Philippine challenges. Each student project and research idea contributes to a growing body of intelligent solutions shaped by local context, creativity, and compassion.