Minor in Neural Computation and Engineering

The aim of this interdisciplinary minor at the University of Washington is to provide students with a background in quantitative, mathematical, engineering and computational approaches to problems in neuroscience. The minor includes courses with a mix of computational, analytical and experimental methods that form the core of computational neuroscience and neural engineering. The courses will provide a common core of skills that will enable all students to move forward toward independent research and graduate work in these interconnected fields.  Students who would like to declare the minor should consult with academic advisors in their home major departments.

Neural Computation and Engineering Minor Requirements

Minimum of 30 credits as follows:

  1. Either BIOEN 466 Neural Computation and Engineering Lab (Winter Quarter) OR see #2 for Neuroscience majors.
  2. Neuroscience majors only:  NEUSCI 301 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience and NEUSCI 302 Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience may be completed instead of BIOEN 466.
  3. BIOEN 460 Neural Engineering (Autumn Quarter)
  4. AMATH 342 Neural Coding and Computation (Winter Quarter)
  5. One course on neuro/medical ethics- PHIL 442 (Neuroethics), PHIL 242, 409, 460, BH 311, 420
  6. Capstone BIOEN 461 Neural Engineering Tech Studio (Spring Quarter) OR NEUSCI 445 Quantitive Methods in Neuroscience (Winter Quarter)
  7. Electives: At least 12 additional graded credits from the approved list
  8. Minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA for courses counted toward the minor
  9. Minimum of 18 credits outside of the student’s major

Electives (need at least 12 credits graded). Note, courses cannot satisfy both required and elective options.

Course Title
BIOL/PSYCH 408 Neuroethology
BIOL/PSYCH 428 Sensory Neurophysiology and Ecology
BIOL 418 Biological Clocks and Rhythms
BIOL 419 Data Science for Biologists
BIOL 428 Sensory Neurophysiology and Ecology Lab 
BIOL 459 Developmental Neurobiology
BIOL 461 Neurobiology
NBIO 401 Systems Neurobiology
NBIO 402 Diseases of the Nervous System
NBIO 403 Systems and Behavioral Neurobiology
NBIO 404 Neuropharmacology
NBIO 450 Topics in Current Neurobiology Research
NBIO 450B Current Research Literature in Neurobiology
NBIO 490 Seminar in Computational Neuroscience
AMATH 422 Computational Modeling of Biological Systems
AMATH 423 Mathematical Analysis in Biology and Medicine
AMATH 481 Scientific Computing
AMATH 482 Computational Methods for Data Analysis
PSYCH 420 Drugs and Behavior
PSYCH 421 Neural Basis of Behavior
PSYCH 423 Sensory Basis of Behavior
PSYCH 428 Human Motor Control and Learning
PSYCH 429 Brain Anatomy for the Behavioral Scientist
PSYCH 430 Development of Brain Connections
PSYCH 432  Visual Neuroscience
PSYCH 460 Cognitive Neuroscience
SPHSC 445  Models of Speech Processing
CSE 415 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CSE 428 Computational Biology Capstone
CSE 440 Intro to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
CSE 446 Machine Learning
CSE 473 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CSE 484 Computer Security
CSE 486 Introduction to Synthetic Biology
CSE 490ab Computers, Ethics, and Society
STAT 416  Introduction to Machine Learning

Please contact Dr. Jessica Huszar if you have any questions about the minor.