Neural Interfaces Graduate Track
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The Neural Interfaces Track trains students in the fields of basic and applied neuroscience. Its goals include the application of engineering approaches to the treatment of neural dysfunction, and conversely, the discovery of effective strategies utilized by biological nervous systems and their application to traditional engineering problems. Research areas of Bioengineering faculty in the Neural Interfaces area include electrical neural interfaces and neuroprostheses; cell- and chemical-delivery systems for neural tissue; engineering of neural self-repair; neural plasticity; neural coding in sensory and motor systems; and neural imaging.

Masters Students

M.S. students in the Neural Interfaces Track must successfully complete the course requirements outlined below, as well as the general course and credit hour requirements of the M.S. degree program:

One of the following two courses:

Notes:

1. Not offered Spring 2007; may be discontinued.

Plus one of the following courses:

See also listings for Ph.D. students (below) for other possible courses of interest.

Ph.D. Students

Ph.D. students in the Neural Interfaces Track are expected to have general knowledge in the fields of basic and applied neuroscience, as described below. The purpose of the qualifying exam is to encourage students to approach their graduate education as an experience that transcends the boundaries of individual courses; to revisit the fundamental principles in basic and applied neuroscience; and to consolidate, synthesize, and integrate this material.

For the purposes of the qualifying exam, the Neural Interfaces Track defines the relevant general knowledge in terms of particular topic areas rather than in terms of required courses or texts. Specific topics that may be covered on the qualifying exam include:

Specific topics that may be covered on the qualifying exam include:

Neural Interfaces Core Courses

No specific courses are required for the Neural Interfaces qualifying exam. Nonetheless, the following courses may be of particular assistance in preparing for the exam:

Notes:

1. Not offered Spring 2007; may be discontinued.

Neural Interfaces Texts

No specific texts are required for the Neural Interfaces qualifying exam. Nonetheless, appropriate study guides for the qualifying exam include the textbooks and lecture materials from the above courses, and relevant sections from the texts below (or equivalents):

Advanced Courses in Neural Interfaces and Program of Study

The Program of Study is a list of all courses to be completed by the student as part of the requirements for the Ph.D. The Program of Study must be formally approved by the student's advisor, Dissertation Supervisory Committee, and Director of Graduate Studies. The plan should include a hierarchy to develop expertise in a specific focus area. Although no specific elective courses are required, expertise will be required to perform well on the dissertation proposal and defense.

Additional courses beyond the suggested track core and the master's-level core must be completed in order to meet the Department's minimum course credit hour requirements for the Ph.D. Listed below are some additional courses relevant to particular areas of specialization in the Neural Interfaces Track. The specific courses should be selected from these or other courses on an individual basis to maximize expertise in the area most closely related to the student's Ph.D. dissertation, subject to formal approval as described above.

Neural Interfaces/Electrophysiology

Neural Interfaces, Biomaterials

Computational Modeling

Questions?

Questions regarding the Neural Interfaces track should be directed to Dr. Gregory Clark (801 585-9796).