Minor Track in Computational Neuroscience

Computational neuroscience is a new and ambitious research discipline for scientists studying the brain. The field reflects a deep conviction among scientists worldwide who hold that (i) the mystery of the brain is beyond the scope of any one research field; (ii) to comprehend the mysteries of the brain we need to develop a new theoretical framework that will enable us to link the multiple levels of brain function, from molecules and networks to systems and behavior; and (iii) to understand the multifaceted nature of the functioning brain we need close collaboration across experimental fields – biology, medicine and cognitive psychology – in addition to theoretical concepts and tools derived from physics, mathematics and computer science.

ELSC’s minor track in computational neuroscience is intended only for those excellent undergraduate students studying physics, computer science or Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and who wish to learn about how such research is being applied to brain sciences.

The minor track consists of 32 credit points and must be completed over three years. Mandatory courses cover neurobiology, cognition and computational neuroscience. Students can select from a number of courses related to brain research for the remaining, elective credit points.

Minor track student, who will be accepted to the PhD program, will receive academic credit for the mandatory courses he/she already took, and will need to attain only 42 credit points

For information about the minor track’s course list and syllabus, please visit the Hebrew University’s course listing website (Shnaton). To register, please telephone 02-6584899 or email study@elsc.huji.ac.il.

	Semester A	Semester B
Year 1	76999 – Critical Reading of Neuroscience Papers (2cp)	76997- Introduction to Brain Sciences (3cp)

Year 2	76989 – Introduction to Cognition (can be replaced with 06115, 51539/ 2cp) *760001 – Dynamics and Coding in the Brain (4cp)	*76909 – Neural Learning (can be replaced with 67577 only for Computer Science students / 4cp)
			* Computer Science students can replace one of the courses with Machine Learning (67577)

Year 3	* 76998 – Lab Project in Brain Sciences (4cp) Elective Courses up to 32 CP
* The Lab Project can be taken in the framework of the ELSC Summer Internship

Critical Reading of Neuroscience Papers (76999) and introduction to Brain Sciences (76997) should be taken during the first year of studies. However, the minor track may be started in the second year of the undergraduate degree.

Due to the changes in the program this academic year, registered students who have previously taken Introduction to Machine Learning (67577) will be required to take one of the computational courses (76909 or 769001).