Sample Curricula

'	Blended Curriculum	Sequential Curriculum
Year 1	Blend of engineering/math/neurosciences courses (typically 4 courses/semester) Physiology of the Central nervous system Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences Models of Neuron Statistics Probability Theory Random Signals Stochastic Processes EE electives (Analog VLSI,or Digital VLSI, Microfabrication (MEMS) Laboratory) Topics in BME (Introduction to research topics by the faculty) Research Rotation in Summer	First year medical school courses (fulfills life science requirment) Year round sequence Molecules and Cells Human Anatomy Developmental Biology Organ Systems Immunology Physiology Neuroscience (Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences, and Physiology of the CNS) Topics in BME (Introduction to research topics by the faculty) Research Rotation in Summer
Year 1	Blend of engineering/math/neurosciences courses (typically 4 courses/semester) Physiology of the Central nervous system Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences Models of Neuron Statistics Probability Theory Random Signals Stochastic Processes EE electives (Analog VLSI,or Digital VLSI, Microfabrication (MEMS) Laboratory) Topics in BME (Introduction to research topics by the faculty) Research Rotation in Summer	First year medical school courses (fulfills life science requirment) Year round sequence Molecules and Cells Human Anatomy Developmental Biology Organ Systems Immunology Physiology Neuroscience (Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences, and Physiology of the CNS) Topics in BME (Introduction to research topics by the faculty) Research Rotation in Summer
Year 2	Blend of engineering/math/neurosciences courses (typically 4 courses/semester) Neuroengineering Ion Channels Structure&Function of Auditory & Vestibular System Readings in System Neuroscience Probability Theory Digital Signal Processing Linear Systems Theory Nonlinear Systems Theory Research Rotation each semester	Engineering and Math Science Courses (fulfills engineering/math requirement) Mathematics for Engineers (graduate) Linear Systems, Nonlinear Systems Numerical Methods Probability and Statistics Clinical Neuroengineering (new course) Biomedical Instrumentation Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Introduction to Neural Computation (new) Research Rotation each semester
Year 3	Elective Courses, Research, Teaching Selected courses (Information Theory, Theoretical Neuroscience, etc.) Teaching assistance (1 course equivalent) Research Graduate Board Oral Exam	Elective Courses, Research, Teaching Advanced elective courses offered by Mathematical Sciences Teaching assistance (1 course equivalent) Research Graduate Board Oral Exam
Year 4	Research and Thesis Teaching assistance (1 course equivalent)	Research and Thesis Teaching assistance (1 course equivalent)
Year 5	Research	Research
Year 6	Research and Thesis	Research and Thesis

The students also choose from among many mathematical sciences courses, which include courses such as Probability Theory, Analysis, Advanced Matrix Theory, Optimization, Numerical Methods.
Every student in the program will be expected to gain teaching assistance experience for 1 course equivalent during years 3 and 4. The TA positions will be funded by the Departments or the School of Engineering.

Example Curricula

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We propose to establish a core curriculm for the students in the Neuroengineering Training Program. Until now, we have relied on general guidelines for the program with emphasis on 1) neuroscience coursework or medical school coursework, 2) expectation of mathematical training, and 3) concentration or topic area courses defined and recommended by the advisors. We recognize that to provide stronger foundations and focus for the program, a core curriculum consisting of ~one third of the courses (i.e. rather than the math and area engineering electives) would be very desirable. Hence, we have developed a core curriculum tabulated below that provides sufficient rigor and uniformity along with flexibility that prepares the students for the different concentration areas; in each area there are two recommended course sequences.

Core Curriculum Topics	Course I	Course II
Introductory Neuroscience	Neuroscience and Cognition I Neuroscience and Cognition II Or 1st Year Medical School Molecules and Cells, Immunology	Models of the Neuron Or 1st Year Medical School Physiology, Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy
Probability and Statistics Applied Mathematics	Introduction to Probability Introduction to Stochastic Processes	Introduction to Statistics Or Biostatistics: Statistical Theory Applied Statistics and Data Analysis Applied Math for Engineering
Neuroengineering Area Concentrations Neural Instrumentation Neuroimaging Computational Neuroengineering Systems Neurosciences Clinical Neuroengineering	Design of Medical Instrumentation Medical Imaging Systems Theoretical Neuroscience Current Issues in System Neuroscience / Clinical Neuroengineering Seminars	Molecular Cellular Instrumentation or Microfabrication Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Advanced Topic in Imaging Computational and Systems Neuroscience Learning Theory Clinical Neuroengineering (new class)

The students in the Neuroengineering program doing research rotations will follow up by

Writing a "paper" pertaining to the literature review and the preliminary work done during their research rotations, typically in year 2. This will insure training in writing papers and bring some accountability to the research rotation. This work will be presented as a poster at the annual retreat.
Submitting a research proposal, patterned after an NIH research grant, typically in year 3 (this is not their thesis proposal). This will provide preliminary training in writing a thesis proposal, and it may provide experience in participating in the writing of a real research proposal being prepared by the mentor. This proposal may very well be directed towards an NRSA application.

The students will make a formal oral presentation, sometime during the first two years. There will be at least two formal opportunities.

Annual retreat of the Ph.D. students, during which students discuss research, do presentations, receive training in ethics, and gain exposure to faculty's research.
Presentation to the BME advisory board, which consists of senior scientists, industry leaders, or academic leaders.

Year(s)	Academic Responsibilities
1-2	Topics in Neuroengineering; Core Electives Electives Up to 3 research rotations, including one clinical rotation Participation in at least one national conference each year
2	Graduate Board qualification (summer) Presentation at annual retreat NIH style grant Fellowship application
3-4	Lab Research Thesis proposal Presentation at a national conference
5-6 (avg duration is 5.8)	Research completion; thesis defense Publication of research

Last modified: 07/14/08, 22:03