Computational Neuroscience Minor
The BBB Program has established a new cross-school, inter-disciplinary Minor in Computational Neuroscience, which is an emerging field involving the application of quantitative methods to the analysis of neural circuits and the brain. In brief, the Minor requires eight courses, four core classes and four electives, the latter encouraging breadth. No more than four of these courses can also be used to fulfill requirements for another major or minors.
We view this Minor as an effective method of bringing together and rounding out the education of students from BBB, Cognitive Science and Bioengineering, Physics, Math, and Computer Science. The minor provides quantitative skills to those already studying the brain, and teaches neuroscience to those already immersed in quantitative methodologies. More broadly, the Minor is also designed to address the challenges and opportunities for teaching quantitative methods to undergraduates preparing for careers in the life/health sciences. Many recent articles stress that future breakthroughs in medicine will come from researchers with strong quantitative backgrounds and with experience at systems-level analysis. For example, the AAMC has recently published a call to action stating that "scientific preparation for medical school should include exposure to multidisciplinary approaches to science, and quantitative approaches to biology." The new Minor in Computational Neuroscience takes such a quantitative, multi-disciplinary approach to the training of future leaders in the sciences of the brain.
Regular advising will be provided by Dr. Javier Medina for students within the BBB program who have a life-sciences background, and by Dr. Vijay Balasubramanian (Physics Department) for students from other backgrounds (physics, engineering, math). Students interested in the minor should contact the appropriate advisor before declaring the minor with the BBB Office.
Download Application for a Minor.
Required courses (4.5 c.u.)
BIBB 109: Introduction to Brain and Behavior
BIBB 251: Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
BIBB 399 or BE 490: Independent Research
PHYS 585 / NGG 594: Theoretical & Computational Neuroscience
Electives (4 c.u.) (no more than two electives can be chosen from any one of these elective categories)
Mathematical Foundations
BIOL 446;STAT 101/111;PSYC 020: Statistics
MATH 240: Differential Eqs. & Linear Algebra
MATH 241: Fourier Analysis & Complex Analysis
ESE 674: Information Theory
PSYC 501: Mathematical Foundations for Language & Communication Sciences
Theory and Modeling
PHYS 280: Physical models of Biological Systems
PSYC 739: Probabilistic Models of Perception and Cognition
ESE 539: Neural Networks, Chaos & Dynamics
CIS 520: Machine Learning
Neuroscience and Cognitive Science
CIS 140/PSYC 107: Introduction to Cognitive Science
PSYC 159: Memory and Attention
BIBB 249: Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 411: Modeling Cognition and Memory
BIOL 442/PSYC 421: Neurobiological Basis of Learning and Memory
BIBB 473: Neuroeconomics
NGG 572: The Electrical Language of Cells
BIO 451/BBB 479: Neural Systems and Behavior
PSYC 111: Perception
Applications
BE 521: Brain-Computer Interfaces
ESE 313: Robotics and Bio-inspired Systems
ESE 406: Control of Systems
ESE 408: Communication Systems
ESE 573: Building Brains in Silicon
