University of California - San Diego
UCSD - Neurosciences Graduate Program

Computational Neurosciences Specialization

 

Overview

The Computational Neuroscience Specialization is part of the broader Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of California at San Diego. The specialization is designed to train young scientists with the broad range of scientific and technical skills that are essential to understand the computational resources of neural systems. This program welcomes students with backgrounds in neuroscience, physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, computer science, engineering, and mathematics.

The program includes rigorous course work in both experimental and computational neuroscience. Thesis research must include both an experimental and a computational component, often arranged by the student as a collaboration between two research groups.

For more information, see the student-maintained website for the Computational Neuroscience Specialization.

 

Requirements

Accordingly, in addition to the broader Neuroscience program requirements (Theme 1), students are required to take the following course sequence:

  • PHYS 271.        Biophysics of neurons and networks (Kleinfeld/Levine)
  • BGGN 260.        Neurodynamics (Cauwenberghs/Abarbanel)
  • GGN 266.        Advanced imaging and electrophysiology lab (Kleinfeld)

At the end of each requried course, an oral exam is administered by the instructor and one other faculty member to test the student's mastery of the area.

The Computational Neurobiology journal club is also strongly recommended:

  • BGGN 246 Computational Neurobiology journal club (Sejnowski)

Finally, because of the mathematical rigor of the program, students are encouraged to take additional classes in engineering, mathematics and physics to supplement their backgrounds as needed. Sample classes students have taken include:

  • ECE 101 - Linear systems
  • ECE 161 - Digital signal processing
  • ECE 250 - Parameter estimation
  • ECE 255 - Information theory
  • Physics 210 - Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics
  • Math 180 - Introduction to probability
  • Math 250 - Differential geometry
  • Math 280 - Probability theory
  • Math 281 - Mathematical statistics
  • Math 285A - Introduction to stochastic processes

 

Page last updated: December 15, 2008


Contact Information

Graduate Program in Neurosciences
University of California, San Diego

9500 Gilman Drive 0662
La Jolla CA 92093-0662
Phone: (858) 534-3377
Fax: (858) 534-8242
E-mail: neurograd@ucsd.edu

© 2005 UCSD Graduate Program in Neurosciences.

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