• 6G5Z1105: Computer Networks & Operating Systems (Spring 2019, Fall 2017, 2016)

  I was one of two lab instructors for this unit. It provided an introduction to computer networks, operating systems theory and practice: O/S structure and organisation, processes, CPU scheduling, threads, concurrency, deadlock, memory management, virtual memory, file system, I/O, disk, security. More →

  second year ("Level 5"), 75 students (150 total), 16 weeks / semester, 6h (12h total) / week

• "Complex Systems Made Simple by Agent-Based Modeling" (Fall 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
  European Erasmus Mundus Master's in Complex Systems Science (MCSS)

  I created this course to explore the canonical families of complex systems through "simple", non-mathematical agent-based modeling and simulation. Relying on the NetLogo platform, with a programming tutorial, students could familiarize themselves with popular case studies (cellular automata, pattern formation, swarm intelligence, complex networks, spatial communities) and think about their unifying key concepts (emergence, self-organization, decentralization), then complete an original term project, with code, paper and slides. More →

  2nd MSc year (M2), 5 semesters, 6-12 Erasmus Mundus & Polytechnique students, 10 sessions / semester, 1h30 / session + 30mn one-on-one project supervision / student / week

  Part 1: Introduction (2011) Part 1: Introduction (2008) Part 2(a)-(c): A Complex Systems Sampler Part 2(d)-(f): A Complex Systems Sampler

  Part 3: Commonalities Part 4: NetLogo Tutorial

• HSS 512F: Brain and Cognition (Neuroscience Seminars) (Fall 2010, Fall 2009)

  I co-led with Pr. Yves Frégnac a series of 12 seminars given by prominent invited neural and cognitive scientists (including Jean-Pierre Changeux), on the multiscale neural basis of cognition: from the microscopic level (molecular, genetic and cellular foundations, individual neuron physiology) to the mesoscopic level (computational neuroscience, electrophysiology, complex neural dynamics, neural network modeling) and macroscopic level (cognitive neuroscience, functional imaging, phenomenology, social cognition). After a 1-hour seminar given by the guest researcher, a group of 2-3 students presented a review of selected scientific articles relevant to the seminar's topic. I organized the entire program of invited talks, the distribution of students into groups, co-moderated the sessions with Pr. Frégnac and the guest speaker (comments, questions), closely followed students' preparation and progress by email, and gave one lecture myself. More →

  3rd year of engineering degree (= 1st MSc year), 2 semesters, 35 students, 12 weeks / sem, 2h / week

  Session 1: Introduction
  Session 11: Complex neurodynamics

• European Erasmus Mundus Master's in Complex Systems Science (MCSS)
  Consortium: University of Warwick, Ecole Polytechnique, Chalmers University of Technology/University of Gothenburg LEAFLET (9/2012)
  
  
• "Complex Systems Track", French Master's in Logic & Philosophy of Science (LoPHiSS-SC2)
  Consortium: Ecole Polytechnique, Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7), Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris

  These two new Master's programs started in the fall of 2010. I was a member of the committee of 4 who wrote in 2008-2009 the "Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Course" grant proposal that was approved by the European Commission in 2010 for 5 years (10-15% rate of acceptance) with a budget of ~€3.2M (~€600K/year for scholarships). I closely collaborated to the design of the core curriculum common to both Master's (based on Polytechnique's course offer for the 1st year M1, and an original creation for the 2nd year M2), and coordinated the first year 2010-2011 at Ecole Polytechnique, advising and following the progress of the students accepted into the program that year. This degree offers unique interdisciplinary experience and educational tools for analyzing complex systems and understanding their emergent behavior.

  20 Erasmus scholarships per year, distributed over 3 partner sites ≈ 13 M1+M2 per site per year

• ENGR 520: Math Analysis for Graduate Students (Summer 2014, Spring 2014, Fall 2013)

  The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the mathematical methods that will be needed in subsequent graduate-level courses in engineering. Emphasis is placed on understanding the concepts for solving first- and second-order differential equations as opposed to extracting an answer from a math package such as Mathematica or MATLAB. More →

  graduate level ("M1/M2"), 10-15 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week

  Course presentation
  First-order ODEs
  Second-order ODEs

• ENGR 503: Control Systems (Fall 2013)

  This course covers concepts related to classical system analysis and control theory, beginning with system modeling and analysis, and concluding with control design. Since most engineering disciplines take this class, we review electrical, mechanical, and biomedical systems. More →

  senior year ("4e annee, L3/M1"), 30 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week

• CSC 306: Introduction to Operating Systems (Spring 2014)

  Intended for computer science students and others who want an in-depth introduction to the fundamental principles, components, and design of modern operating systems, with a focus on the UNIX platform. Topics include: the evolution and major types of O/S, system calls, processes and threads, concurrency and deadlocks, virtual and real memory management, CPU scheduling, input/output and disk management, file system, performance issues, and possible case studies.

  junior year ("3e annee, L3"), 10 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week

• CSC 223: Object-Oriented Programming with Java (Fall 2013)

  A course for computer science major students, continuation of CSC 123: C/C++ Programming. The focus is on fundamental object-oriented concepts and basic constructs of the Java programming language. Hands-on coding is an essential part of this course to understand the concepts and prepare for the next levels of the CS curriculum. Java is one of today's most popular programming languages and an essential tool for computer science students in their future endeavors. More →

  sophomore year ("2e année, L2"), 20 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week

• Complex Systems Made Simple: A Hands-On Exploration of Agent-Based Modeling (2007-2011)

  See course description above in Ecole Polytechnique, Guest Lecturer. More →

• Toward a Fine-Grain Mesoscopic Neurodynamics (2007)

  An overview of spiking neural network models, introducing temporal coding and the "binding problem", and describing various studies of emergent spatiotemporal order of neural activity/connectivity at the mesoscopic level of cognition (concluding Yves Burnod's course, "Multilevels of Brain: Models of Sensorimotor and Cognitive Functions"). SLIDES  More →

• From Embryogenesis to Embryomorphic Architectures (2007)

  Example of a computational model and numerical simulation of biological organism development based on intercellular coupling among gene regulatory networks (concluding Nadine Peyriéras's course, "Complex systems approach of multi-cellular organization and animal embryogenesis"). SLIDES 1  SLIDES 2  More →

freshmen, seniors and graduates, 6 semesters, 110 students total, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week
Created over 1,000 original PowerPoint slides, many of which are now used by other instructors.

• CS 790R: Computational Models of Complex Systems (Spring 2006, Spring 2005)

  Designed from scratch, fully developed and taught this original, cross-disciplinary 3-credit seminar for graduate students, including lectures, paper reviews, programming assignments and term projects. We examined self-organized systems and emergence based on myriads of simple agents, across a variety of topics: cellular automata, pattern formation, insect colonies, spatial ecology, neural networks, complex networks, etc. More →

  graduate level ("M1/M2, thèse"), 2 semesters, 8-10 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week

  Examples of complex systems (part I) and course organization
  Examples (part II) and concepts of complex systems
  Topology and dynamics of complex networks
  Synchronization in spiking neural networks
  Introduction to NetLogo

• CS 446/646: Principles of Operating Systems (Spring 2006, Fall 2005)

  The principles, components, and design of modern operating systems, focusing on the UNIX platform. Topics included: concurrent processes, inter-process communication, processor management, virtual and real memory management, deadlock, file systems, disk management, performance issues, case studies, etc. More →

  1. Introduction (1) - Role of an O/S 1. Introduction (2) - O/S History & Features 1. Introduction (3) - Types & Components of O/S 1. Introduction (4) - System Calls & O/S Architecture 2. Processes (1) - Process Description 2. Processes (2) - Threads

  2. Processes (3)-(7) - Concurrency 4. Memory (1)-(2) - Partitioning, Paging & Segmentation 4. Scheduling (1)-(2) - Concepts & Algorithms 5. Input/Output (1)-(4) - Hardware, Software & Disk 6. File System (1)-(2) - Interface & Implementation

  senior year ("4e année, L3/M1"), 2 semesters, 12-15 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week

• CS 135: Computer Science I (Spring 2006, Fall 2005)

  An introduction to modern problem solving and programming methods in C++, with emphasis on algorithm development. Also, an introduction to procedural and data abstraction, design, testing, and documentation. More →

  1. Introduction - Pseudocode & Elements of C++
  2. Functions I - Passing by Value
  3. File I/O - Reading & Writing Files
  5. Selection - If & Switch Controls
  6. Repetition - While & For Loops

  freshman year ("1re année, L1"), 2 semesters, 25-40 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week (the curriculum was coordinated in collaboration with 2 other instructors)

• Université Libre de Bruxelles & Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium — Master's in Artificial Intelligence
  Current Trends in Artificial Intelligence (Spring 2015, 2012, 2011) — Host: Hugues Bersini

  Complex Systems Made Simple. ABSTRACT
  Complex Systems Made Simple. SLIDES
  Morphogenetic Engineering. ABSTRACT
  Morphogenetic Engineering. SLIDES (2012)
  Morphogenetic Engineering. SLIDES (2015)

• Brown University, Providence RI, USA — Neuroscience Graduate Program
  NEUR 1680: Computational Neuroscience (Spring 2015) — Host: Elie Bienenstock

  Morphogenetic Neuron-Flocking

• National School of Architecture, Paris-Malaquais, Paris, France — Master's in Digital Knowledge
  Digital Architecture: Theory and Critique (Spring 2015) — Host: Christian Girard

  From Multicellular Development to Morphogenetic Engineering

• Golden Gate University, San Francisco CA, USA — Master's in Software Engineering
  CIS 386: Advanced Enterprise Java Programming (Spring 2003) — Host: Carl Schwarcz

  Enterprise JavaBeans: BMP and CMP Entity Beans

Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany — Graduate Seminars in Cognitive Science
Lecturer, 1992, 1993

Organized and conducted credit seminar courses for graduate students (in German), including lectures and student presentations. Developed courses, selected literature, facilitated discussions:

• Language and Connectionism (Spring 1993)

  Analysis of the formal vs. dynamical systems debate in cognitive science (i.e., rule-based AI vs. example-based neural networks) from a linguistic perspective.

• Learning in Artificial and Natural Systems (Spring 1992; co-organizer)

  Overview of learning processes, theories and methods in psychology, animal behavior, neurophysiology and neural networks.

Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie, Paris — Neural Networks for Engineers & Researchers
Training Instructor, 1989, 1990

Computer science (see also Industry)

• Core topics: theory and practice of programming languages (object-oriented, procedural, declarative; Java, C/C++, etc.), data structures, algorithms, automata, compilers, operating systems, GUIs, etc.
  
  
• Distributed systems: object distribution and component/middleware frameworks (J2EE, CORBA, Messaging, etc.), Web technologies, application servers, TCP/IP networking, database systems
  
  
• Software engineering: object-oriented methodology, design patterns, software architecture

Research & seminar topics (see also Research Topics)

• Complex systems, biological modeling & bio-inspired engineering: multi-agent systems, agent-based modeling, cellular automata, artificial life, pattern formation, image processing, morphogenesis, swarm intelligence, genetic algorithms, evolutionary computation, complex networks
  
  
• Computational cognitive science: computational neuroscience, artificial & spiking neural networks, neurobiological modeling, cognitive linguistics, pattern recognition, machine learning, computer vision

Undergraduate mathematics & physics

Postdocs

• Carlos Herrera, Manchester Metropolitan University: DoS 2017 (Sup: Matthew Crossley)
  • Open-ended evolutionary development of cell-based locomotory morphologies
• Jonathan Pascalie, Complex Systems Institute, Paris: DoS 2013–15 (Sup: O. Michel, A. Spicher)
  • Morphogenetic engineering in synthetic biology: Self-organized component-based biosystems
• Taras Kowaliw, Complex Systems Institute, Paris: DoS 2010–13
  • A virtual platform for artificial evo-devo and the evaluation of spatial computing paradigms
  • Long-term evolutionary dynamics in heterogeneous cellular automata
  • Neuroevolution applied to classification tasks.
• Quan Zou, University of Nevada, Reno: Sup 2006–07 (DoS: Philip H. Goodman)
  • Spatiotemporal correlations encoding synaptic patterns in recurrent spiking neural networks.

PhD students

• Jack Hodgkiss, Manchester Metropolitan University: Sup 2018–21 (DoS: Soufiene Djahel)
  • Fast and effective authentication for future e-healthcare body sensor networks
• Joel Dokmegang, Manchester Metropolitan Univ.: DoS 2018–21 (Sup: M. Cavaliere, M.H. Yap, L. Han)
  • Mechanogenetic model of embryogenesis from 4D microscopy images
• Antoine Gaget, Manchester Metropolitan University: DoS 2017–20 (Sup: S. Djahel, J.-M. Montanier)
  • From biological morphogenesis to morphogenetic swarm robotics
• Nicolas Toussaint, Manchester Metropolitan University: DoS 2016–19 (Sup: E. Norling, B. Edmonds)
  • Morphogenetic engineering of socio-technical complex systems
• Julien Delile, Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7): DoS 2008–12 (Sup: Nadine Peyriéras)
  • Mechanogenetic modeling and computational simulation of animal early embryogenesis
• Carlos Sánchez Quintana, Universidad de Málaga, DoS 2011–12 (Sup: Francisco Vico)
  • Growing fine-grained multicellular robots: Emergence of function from structure from development
  • Pattern recognition by recurrent spiking neural networks and complex spatiotemporal dynamics
• José David Fernández Rodríguez, Universidad de Málaga, Sup 2010, internship (DoS: Francisco Vico)
  • Dynamics of emergent biodiversity in an evolving community of virtual L-system plants
• Emmanuel Faure, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris: Sup 2006–07, Jury Examiner, 2009 (DoS: Paul Bourgine)
  • Automated reconstruction of the spatiotemporal cellular lineage during embryogenesis
• Rich Drewes, University of Nevada, Reno: Sup 2004–05 (DoS: Philip H. Goodman)
  • Testing a proposed fundamental information processing function of cortical microcircuits
  • A spatially extended model of endogenous speciation without external environmental constraints
• Christine Wilson, University of Nevada, Reno: Sup 2004–05 (DoS: Philip H. Goodman)
  • A spatially-realistic multisensory/motor, cortical and subcortical brain system

Master's students

• Daniel Eden, Manchester Metropolitan University: DoS 2017 (Sup: M. Crossley)
  • Animat evolution with SharpNEAT in an artificial environment developed under Unity
• Sam Scrutton, Manchester Metropolitan University: DoS 2017 (Sup: M. Crossley)
  • Evolution of artificial life creatures in a procedurally generated landscape
• Victoria Ponce, Master's in Complex Systems, Ecole Polytechnique: Sup 2014–15 (DoS: F. Amblard)
  • An agent-based model of avascular tumor growth
• Peter Schramm & Michael Gribbin, School of Engineering, Catholic University of America: DoS 2014–15
  • Swarm robotics: Morphogenetic workbot (MEWbot) design, fabrication, and testing
• Ramón Martínez Mayorquin, Master's in Complex Systems, Ecole Polytechnique: DoS 2013–14
  • An agent-based model of neural fields and spatiotemporal activity pattern formation
• Olivier Wang, Master's in Complex Systems, Ecole Polytechnique: DoS 2012–14
  • A hybrid off/on-lattice model of emergence and maintenance autopoiesis
• David Medernach, Master's in Philosophy of Science, Université Paris 7: Sup 2012 (DoS: T. Kowaliw)
  • Local rules in open-ended evolution of heterogeneous cellular automata
• David Fourquet, Master's in Complex Systems, Ecole Polytechnique: DoS 2011–12 (Sup: T. Kowaliw)
  • Controlling & evolving network self-assembly: From "programmed attachment" to swarm intelligence
• Razvan Dordea, Master's in Complex Systems, Ecole Polytechnique: DoS 2011 (Sup: A. Diaconescu)
  • Using natural complex systems for the engineering of self-organized computer and ICT systems
• Pierre Chaigneau, Master's in Philosophy of Science, Université Paris 7: DoS 2011 (Sup: Jean Petitot)
  • The epistemological gap between natural complex systems and complex industrial systems
• Adam MacDonald, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton: DoS 2008–09 (Sup: Mihaela Ulieru)
  • Self-organizing structured networks and agent-based software design
• Oscar Sessions, University of Nevada, Reno: DoS 2006–07 (Sup: Philip H. Goodman) and
   Milind Zirpe, University of Nevada, Reno: Sup 2006–07 (DoS: Philip H. Goodman)
  • Recurrent Asynchronous Irregular Networks (RAIN) and NeoCortical Simulator (NCS) benchmarks
• James King, University of Nevada, Reno: Sup 2004–05 (DoS: Philip H. Goodman)
  • Brain communication server: A dynamic data transferal system for a parallel brain simulator
• Andreas Schwarz, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany: DoS 1993–94 (Sup: C. von der Malsburg)
  • Coding metric with delayed temporal correlations: An oscillator model of graph-matching

PhD reviews & juries only

• Emmanuele Crosato, University of Sydney, Australia: Reviewer, 3/2019 (DoS: Mikhail Prokopenko)
  • Quantifying criticality, information dynamics and thermodynamics of collective motion
• Edgar Buchanan, University of York, UK: Reviewer, 10/2018 (DoS: Jon Timmis)
  • Task partitioning for foraging robot swarms based on penalty and reward
• Jean Disset, Université Toulouse 1 Capitole, France: Reviewer, 12/2017 (DoS: Yves Duthen)
  • Simulation of cells and artificial gene regulatory networks for the development and self-organization of multicellular structures
• Richard Malgat, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Lyon, France: Reviewer, 9/2015 (DoS: Arezki Boudaoud)
  • Mechanical modeling of three-dimensional plant tissue
• Latifa Jackson, Drexel University, Philadelphia, US: Jury Examiner, 8/2014 (DoS: Aydin Tözeren)
  • Addiction, mental health, infectious disease: Understanding their interplay in human populations
• Francis Jeanson, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada: Reviewer, 1/2014 (DoS: Tony White)
  • Neural coding via transmission delay coincidence detectors: An embodied approach
• Anaïs Soubeyran, Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris 4), France: Reviewer, 12/2012 (DoS: Daniel Andler)
  • Emergence and mind-body problem: Towards a characterization of the contemporary notion of emergence and its application in cognitive science
• Régis Martinez, Université Lumière Lyon 2, France: Reviewer, 9/2011 (DoS: Hélène Paugam-Moisy)
  • Dynamics of cognitive and complex systems: The role of delays in information transmission
• David Colliaux, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris: Reviewer, 5/2011 (DoS: Jean Petitot, Yves Frégnac)
  • Classes of neuronal dynamics and experience dependent structured correlations in a visual cortex
• Kristen Manac'h, Univ. de Bretagne Occidentale, France: Jury Examiner, 1/2011 (DoS: Pierre De Loor)
  • Towards the notion of "enactive" virtual agent: Application to a dynamic evolutionary approach
• Daniel Lobo, Universidad de Málaga, Spain: Jury Examiner, 11/2010 (DoS: Francisco Vico)
  • Evolutionary development based on genetic regulatory models for behavior-finding (generative systems based on string grammars)
• Sylvain Cussat-Blanc, Université Toulouse 1, France: Jury Examiner & Chair, 11/2009 (DoS: Yves Duthen)
  • Artificial creatures: The development of organisms from a single cell
• Heike Sichtig, Binghamton University SUNY: Committee & Jury Examiner, 4/2009 (DoS: Craig Laramee)
  • The SGE paradigm: Exploring information processing in biological systems using spiking neural networks (S), a genetic algorithm (G) and expert knowledge (E)