Neuroscience Program

Computational Neuroscience Undergraduate Curriculum

Computational Neuroscience links the information processing features of the nervous system with information processing of computer systems.  Accordingly, the Computational Neuroscience track supplements the neuroscience core curriculum with information technology courses.  In this way, students learn not only of the brain and its information processing mechanisms but also of modern computer hardware and software technologies. Courses in science and engineering have been selected to give as broad an exposure as possible to subjects that underlie the basic neural and computational sciences with an emphasis on the organisms and the machine as information processing entities.  Upon completion of the four-year curriculum, a B.S. degree in Neuroscience will be awarded.  Furthermore, the program is designed to allow students to acquire breadth in computational subjects or, alternatively, to focus on either software or hardware aspects of computation.  Students choosing to acquire breadth in computational subjects will be well prepared for graduate study in most areas of neural and biomedical science, including bioengineering.  Students choosing a software focus may obtain a minor in either computer science or computer engineering.  All subject requirements for entry into medical school are met by completion of the program of study in Computational Neuroscience.
 
Certification Requirements

To certify a major in Computational Neuroscience, students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours and have a cumulative 3.0 minimum grade point average (GPA) in the following math and science courses:

3.0 minimum GPA in the following:

Biol 106 and 107
Chem 105 and106
Math 171 and 172
Neuro 301 or 302
Phys 201

Once a student has completed 60 hours, the university requires certification in a major as a condition for further enrollment (usually by the end of the sophomore year).  The Neuroscience baccalaureate degree program currently has a cap of 40 majors.  Thus, we may be unable to certify all qualified students. In this situation, the most highly qualified students who apply will be selected for certification up to the enrollment limit.

Students who have certified must continue to maintain a 3.0 minimum GPA in courses required to fulfill the degree or they may be de-certified from the major and their folders returned to the Student Advising and Learning Center (SALC) for reassignment.

Core Prerequisites

Years 1 and 2

Prefix	Course No.	[GER]	Title	Credits
Biol	106, 107 (L)	[B]	Introduction to Biology	4/4
Chem	105, 106 (L)	[P]	Principles of Chemistry	4/4
Chem	345		Elementary Organic Chemistry	4
Cpt S	121, 122		Program Design and Development, Data Structures	4/4
EE	214		Design of Logic Circuits	4
Math	171, 172, 216	[N]	Calculus I & II, Discrete Structures	4/4/3
Physics	201, 202	[P]	Physics for Scientists & Engineers	4/4
Psych	105	[S]	Introduction to Psychology	3
Total Credits for Years 1 & 2				50
Major Core Courses
Years 3 and 4
Prefix	Course No.	[GER]	Title	Credits
Biol	353		Mammalian Physiology	4
Engl	402	[M]	Technical and Professional Writing	3
MBioS	301		General Genetics	4
MBioS	303		Introductory Biochemistry	4
Neuro	301 or 302		Exploring the Brain or Honors	3
Neuro	403	[M]	Cellular Neurobiology	3
Neuro	404		Neuroanatomy	3
Neuro	430	[M]	Principles of Neurophysiology	4
Neuro Neuro	495 or 499		Directed Research or Special Problems	2 credits total from 495 or 499
Neuro	490		Senior Project	1
Phil	201	[H]	Elementary Logic	3
Total Credits for Years 3 & 4				35
Plus select one of the three tracks below:
1. Breadth-of-field Track (No Minor) The Breadth of Field Track allows the student to balance software and hardware courses and, in addition, include the modeling aspects of computation in their course of study.  This track is recommended for students who wish to maximize the opportunities for advanced study following the BS degree.
Prefix	Course No.	Title		Credits
BE	340	Unified Bioengineering I		4
EE	261/262	Electrical Circuits		3/1
Math	220, 273, 315	Linear Algebra, Calculus III, Differential Equations		2/2/3
Electives	(see below)1	Select nine (9) credits from elective courses list below		9
		Total		24
2. Software Emphasis Track (Computer Science Minor) Programmed instructions are the basis of machine intelligence. Through the software emphasis track, the student acquires a thorough background in machine instructions leading to intelligent operations. The two courses that culminate this sequence (one in artificial intelligence, the other in human cognition) provide contrast between machine and human intelligence.
Prefix	Course No.	Title		Credits
CptS	223	Advanced Data Structures		3
CptS	224	Programming Tools		2
CptS	322	Software Engineering Principles		3
CptS	440	Intro to Artificial  Intelligence		3
Psych	490	Cognition and Memory		3
Electives	(see below)1	Select five (5) credits from elective courses list below. At least three (3) credits must be from the upper division CptS courses.		5
		Total		19
3. Hardware Emphasis Track (Computer Engineering Minor) Neural circuitry and neural system components are both similar and different from electronic circuitry and computational system components.  These similarities and differences are fundamental to the link between neurosciences and computational science. The hardware emphasis track provides the neuroscience student the opportunity to explore these similarities and differences.
Prefix	Course No.	Title		Credits
EE	261/262	Electrical Circuits		3/1
EE	234	Microprocessor Systems		4
EE	324	Fundamentals of Digital Systems		4
EE/CptS	300/400 level	Select three  (3) credits of upper division EE or CptS from the elective course list below.1		3
Math	220, 273, 315	Linear Algebra, Calculus III, Differential Equations		2/2/3
Electives	(see below)1	Select two (2) credits from elective courses list below.		2
		Total		24
1 Elective Courses
(Other science courses may be substituted based on advisor approval.)
Prefix	Course No.	Title		Credits
Biol	315	Gross and Microanatomy		4
Biol	321	Principles of Animal Development		4
Biol	352	Cell Physiology		3
Biol	438 [M]	Animal Behavior		3
Cpt S	422	Software Engineering Principles		3
Cpt S	423	Software Engineering Laboratory		3
Cpt S	434	Neural Network Design and Application		3
Cpt S	440	Introduction to Artificial Intelligence		3
Cpt S	443	Computer-Human Interaction		3
Cpt S	445	Digital Image Processing		3
Cpt S	446	Animation Programming		3
Cpt S	450	Design and Analysis of Algorithms		3
EE	311	Electronics		3
EE	321	Electrical Circuits II		3
EE	324	Fundamentals of Digital Systems		4
EE	341	Signals and Systems		3
EE	441	Digital Control		3
EE	442	Robotics		3
EE	451	Digital Communication Systems		3
EE	464	Digital Signal Processing		3
MBioS	378	Intro to Molecular Biology Computer Techniques		3
MBios	401	Introductory Cell Biology		3
Neuro	409/509	Affective Neuroscience		3
Neuro	506*	Generation, Degeneration, Regeneration in the Nervous System		2
Neuro	520*	Fundamental Neuroscience		4
Neuro	526*	Domestic and Exotic Animal Behavior		2
Neuro	529*	Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology		4
Neuro	540*	Special Topics in Integrative Neuroscience		3
Neuro	541*	Special Topics in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience		3
Neuro	542*	Special Topics in Disciplinary Neuroscience		3
Neuro	543*	Special Topics in Behavioral/Clinical Neuroscience		3
Psych	490	Cognition and Memory		3
*Graduate Study By Seniors: Seniors who have at least a 3.00 grade point average in the last half of their undergraduate coursework at Washington State University may register for up to six semester hours of work in the Graduate School in excess of the number of hours required to complete the bachelor's degree.  Graduate School approval is required at the time of registration.  Only grades of "B" or higher may be applied toward an advanced degree. Seniors who wish to enroll in 500-level courses for undergraduate credit must obtain the approval of their major advisor and the Chair of the department or program in which the course is offered. Suggested Course of Study for Computational Neuroscience