Connectionists: New Neuroinformatics master program at Newcastle University

[Marcus Kaiser]

Dear all,

A newly-established one-year master degree program in Neuroinformatics will
start in September this year at Newcastle University, UK. The course
focuses on handling brain connectivity datasets, analyzing
electrophysiological recordings, and simulating neural activity and
development.

Close interactions with experimental and clinical researchers are a key
component of the course and the dissertation research project. Ongoing
research areas in Newcastle include neuroimaging, psychophysics, systems
neuroscience (visual, auditory, and motor system), aging,
neurorehabilitation, brain rhythms, brain-machine interfaces, neurochips,
and connectomics (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion ). Newcastle University hosts
around 100 principal investigators in the neurosciences.

You can find out more about the program and how to apply at
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/study/postgrad/taught/neuroinformatics/


COURSE OUTLINE

The MSc in Neuroinformatics is a full-time, one-year advanced masters
course designed for students who have a good degree in the biological
sciences or the physical sciences (computer science, mathematics, physics,
engineering). It provides the specialist skills in core Neuroinformatics
courses (such as computing and biology) with a significant focus on the
development of research skills. The program aims to equip its graduates
with the necessary skills to contribute to biologically realistic
simulations of neural activity and development that are rapidly becoming
the key focus of Neuroinformatics research. Prior experience with computers
or computer programming is not required. The program is ideal for students
aiming for careers in industry or academia.

The course is based in the School of Computing Science and taught jointly
by the Schools of Computing Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Biology,
Cell and Molecular Biosciences and The Institute of Human Genetics. In
addition, there are strong links with the Institute of Neuroscience and
graduates of this master program might either apply for PhD studies at the
School of Computing Science or for the Wellcome Trust 4-year PhD program in
Systems Neuroscience (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion/postgrad/research/wellcome/).


WHY STUDY AT NEWCASTLE?

The MSc in Neuroinformatics is a truly interdisciplinary degree and
provides the dual skills necessary to establish a rewarding career in this
research area. The Newcastle program has a research focus on data
management, network analysis (e.g. Kaiser, Neuroimage, 2011), and
simulation, whilst delivering sound training and an introduction to
research in computation and statistics, including exciting new areas such
as e-science and cloud computing.

Newcastle is among the pioneers of the field in the UK and hosted the £4m
EPSRC-funded CARMEN project for managing and processing electrophysiology
data. Newcastle has strong links with the International Neuroinformatics
Coordinating Facility (INCF). Currently, members of the faculty lead the
data-sharing special interest group and the UK special interest groups in
image-based Neuroinformatics and brain connectivity as well as in
neurally-inspired engineering.


COURSE CONTENT

Semester 1 contains modules to build the basic grounding in, and
understanding of, Neuroinformatics theory and applications, together with
necessary computational and numeric understanding to undertake more
specialist modules next semester. Training in mathematics and statistics is
also provided. Semester 2 introduces modules that focus heavily on
introducing subject-specific research skills and includes three option
slots for choosing modules. A major part of the Newcastle MSc in
Neuroinformatics is a research project that will occupy approximately six
months. This project may be associated with staff in any of the Schools
mentioned above, thus providing a wide range of exciting areas in which the
newly learnt Neuroinformatics skills can be deployed.


HOW TO APPLY

Applications for this program will be accepted soon. You can apply online,
preferably before the end of June, using the electronic application system
with the degree identifier 5199F. Please check
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/study/postgrad/taught/neuroinformatics/ for
more information.


Best,
  Marcus


--

For Spring Semester, 2012:
Professor, Computational Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Seoul National University
Seoul 151-742
Korea

Associate Professor for Neuroinformatics
School of Computing Science
Newcastle University
Claremont Tower
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
http://www.biological-networks.org/
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