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University of Pittsburgh    
2019-2020 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2019-2020 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Neural Engineering (NE) Track


Neural engineering is an exciting new field, which applies engineering techniques to understand, repair, replace, enhance, or otherwise exploit the properties of neural systems. The neural engineering track is designed to prepare the students for the fundamental understanding of both neuroscience and engineering principles.

This graduate track has a specific menu of courses to satisfy the “Life Science” and “Track Courses” requirement for the Ph.D.

Life Science Requirements:  neural track students are required to take one cellular level and one systems level neuroscience course to fulfill their life science requirement. 

For molecular neuroscience, choose between 1) NROSCI 2100  and NROSCI 2101  (Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology I and II, 8 credits) and 2) CMU 03-762 (Advanced Cellular Neuroscience, 4 credits); both are offered in the Fall.

For systems neuroscience, choose between 1) NROSCI 2102  (Systems Neurobiology, 6 credits) and 2) CMU 03-763 (Systems Neuroscience, 4 credits); both are offered in the Spring. 

These courses are typically taken at the first year.  Students without a biology background will need to take remedial biology courses (e.g. BIOENG 2520 , Fall) before taking NROSCI 2100 , NROSCI 2101  and NROSCI 2102 .  Students who have taken graduate-level equivalent neuroscience courses can petition to take other more advanced life science courses.

 

Track Courses Requirement:  please select at least three track courses from the following courses:

 

For the life science requirements, there are two options for molecular neuroscience and two options for systems neuroscience.

 

For molecular neuroscience, students may choose between:

  1. NROSCI 2100 - CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY 1  and NROSCI 2101 - CELLULAR & MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY 2 

OR

  1. CMU 03-762 - ADVANCED CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE (4 credits), both are offered in the Fall

 

For systems neuroscience, students may choose between:

  1. NROSCI 2102 - SYSTEMS NEUROBIOLOGY  

AND

  1. CMU 03-763 - SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE (4 credits), both are typically offered in the Spring

 

There are four different combinations of possibilities, as stated below:

  1. NROSCI 2100 , NROSCI 2101  and NROSCI 2102 , equaling 14 credits
  2. NROSCI 2100 , NROSCI 2101  and CMU 03-763 (4 credits), equaling 12 credits
  3. CMU 03-762 (4 credits) and NROSCI 2102 , equaling 10 credits
  4. CMU 03-762 (4 credits) and CMU 03-763 (4 credits), equaling 8 credits

 

Center for Neural Basis of Cognition (http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/):  the majority of NE track students are members of CNBC and participate in the CNBC graduate training program (http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu/training/).  All three of the CNBC core courses can be considered track or elective courses.  If you are in CNBC, you must satisfy both BIOENG and CNBC requirements before graduation.

For more information, please contact the Track Coordinator, Professor Tracy Cui.  A list of faculty doing research in the area of neural engineering can be found at the Neural Engineering Program Web site (http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/neuro/).



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