Connectionists: Master and PhD Program Computational Neuroscience

[Daniela Pelz]

Dear Connectionists,

attached please find the announcement of a Master and a PhD program in
Computational Neuroscience.

Sincerely yours,
Daniela Pelz


-- 
Dr. Daniela Pelz
Teaching Coordinator
Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience
Institute f. Biology, Humboldt University
Invalidenstr. 42
10115 Berlin
phone: (030) 2093-9110
fax: (030) 2093-8801



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International Master of Science or PhD
in Computational Neuroscience

Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience

Berlin, Germany

The Berlin University of Technology, the Charité Medical School and the
Humboldt University of Berlin solicit applications for an international
Master and PhD program in Computational Neuroscience within the
Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin
(http://www.bccn-berlin.de).

The Master program is full-time for four semesters, and started in October
2006. The PhD program is full-time for three years, and will start in
October 2007. Course language is English. There are no tuition fees.
Application deadline for both programs is March 1^st 2007. Courses start
in October 2007.

Objectice of the MSc and PhD Program

Computational neuroscience uses a multidisciplinary approach for
understanding the functioning brain. It combines experiments with data
analysis and computer simulations on the basis of well-defined
theoretical concepts, and makes a scientific language available that can
be used across disciplines and levels for neurobiology, cognitive
science, and information technology. Computational Neuroscience may thus
help to solve long-standing research questions, contribute to better
prevention and treatment strategies for neural disorders, lead to
unified concepts about biological processes, advance information
technologies and human-machine interactions and, last but not least,
provide new insight for designing efficient strategies for teaching and
learning.

Both the MSc and the PhD program emphasize a broad, interdisciplinary
education with strong interactions between experiment and theory. The
programs’ faculty is drawn from the Bernstein Center for Computational
Neuroscience, which represents university departments ranging from
biology and medicine to physics and computer science at the three major
universities in Berlin.

> Language of Instruction: English
> Duration of MSc Program: 2 years
> Duration of PhD Program: 3 years
> Application deadline: March 1st
> Beginning of Programs: Mid October

Final degrees:

> MSc Computational Neuroscience

> PhD from the department of the student’s principal thesis advisor and 
a certificate from the Berlin Graduate School for Computational Neuroscience

Structure of the MSc Program (starting in 2006)
The 2-year-Master program is organized in modules, each consisting of
one or more courses. The courses comprise lectures, tutorials,
exercises, seminars, experimental laboratories, and research projects.
For each module students are assessed through oral or written exams and
receive the corresponding number of European Credit Points (CP, one CP
roughly corresponds to 30 hours of student work.). Students are expected
to earn 60 CP per year.

In the first two semesters, students are individually brought to a high
level of competence in the basic fields of the program. The third
semester is devoted to lab rotations. Every student will participate in
research projects in three different laboratories affiliated with the
Bernstein Center. Each of the three projects lasts for approximately two
months (3x9 CP). The projects will be tailored to give intensive
hands-on experience to the students. They will carry out individual
research projects, and will be supervised by a senior researcher. The
three projects include at least one theoretical and one experimental
project. Additionally, students will take an obligatory course on
ethical issues and societal implications of brain research. The fourth
semester is primarily devoted to thesis research (20 CP), and
complemented by courses on advanced topics (10 CP). The Master thesis is
concluded by an oral presentation (defense).

Structure of the PhD Program (starting in 2007)
The 3-year PhD program has a strong focus on thesis research and is
complemented by course work (30 CP). Course work will cover advanced
topics freely chosen from the curriculum of the Bernstein Center such as
methodological courses or international summer schools (15 CP). Another
15 CP will be earned by participating in ‘soft-skill’ courses, in a
weekly PhD student seminar, poster or oral contributions at symposia and
international conferences and the like. The PhD thesis is evaluated by
three reviewers and is defended in an oral presentation.

Application

Master Program:
Bachelor degree or equivalent required

PhD program:
Master degree or equivalent required

Entry degrees have to be awarded by an internationally recognized
university-level institution, typically in the areas of natural
sciences, engineering, or mathematics. Students who graduated in other
subjects have to document sufficient mathematical knowledge in linear
algebra, analysis, probability theory and statistics.

also to be included:

> TOEFL test or equivalent certificate of proficiency in English 
(non-native speakers only)

> a letter describing why you want to study computational neuroscience 
at the Berlin Graduate School

> CV including activities and experiences relevant for the studies
> copies of certificates and transcript of records of previous studies

> two letters of recommendation

> a completed matriculation form

> a GRE general test

pdf dowload and further information at
www.computation-neuroscience-berlin.de/admission

Details of the admission requirements and procedures are currently in
the legislative process of the state of Berlin and may be subject to change.

Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience

The Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin integrates
research and teaching activities at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin
Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin
University of Technology, Fraunhofer FIRST, the Max-Delbrueck-Center and
the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. Teaching and Training follow a ‘one
day, one location’ principle.

http:// www.bccn-berlin.de <http://www.bccn-berlin.de/>

For further information please contact daniela.pelz at bccn-berlin.de