International Master's Programme in Computational Neuroscience

Computational Neuroscience is a fast-growing discipline within the exciting field of neuroscience. It uses theoretical approaches from a variety of disciplines including mathematics, physics, computer science and engineering to understand the brain. Computational Neuroscience integrates experiment, data analysis and modelling. Furthermore, it 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. Structure of the programme Within the first year of the programme, students are individually brought to a high level of competence in the basic fields of the programme. The second year of the programme is strongly research-oriented, including lab rotations and the Master's thesis. Foundations (first and second semesters) The modules "Models of Neural Systems" (12 CP), "Models of Higher Brain Functions" (12 CP), "Acquisition and Analysis of Neural Data" (12 CP) each cover both the theoretical and experimental aspects of each respective field. The module "Machine Intelligence" (12 CP) covers topics in machine learning and artificial neural networks. The module "Programming Course and Project" (6 CP) teaches the students a programming language and how to use it to specify, develop, document and test a larger programme. Within the first two semesters, students also have the opportunity to fill gaps in their knowledge by individual studies tailored to their needs with the aid of their mentors (6 CP). Research-oriented phase (third and fourth semesters) 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 approx. two months (3 x 9 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 the societal implications of brain research (3 CP) as well as elective courses on advanced topics (10 CP). The fourth semester is primarily devoted to thesis research (20 CP) and complemented by courses on advanced topics (10 CP). The Master's thesis is concluded by an oral presentation (defence). The BCCN Berlin also offers preparatory courses in mathematics and neurobiology for admitted students, which take place from September to October before the beginning of the winter semester. This is a joint degree programme of the TU Berlin and the HU Berlin, organised by the BCCN Berlin. Teaching takes place at HU Berlin (BCCN Berlin, Campus Nord, postal code 10115) and at TU Berlin (postal code 10587).