Graduate Certificate in Neural Computation and Engineering

The Graduate Certificate Program in Neural Computation and Engineering provides interdisciplinary training for students engaged in quantitative, mathematical, engineering and computational approaches to problems in neuroscience. The Certificate Program allows enrolled students to receive formal recognition for their work, and facilitates connections within the neural computation and engineering community.

The Certificate program is a non-degree granting program; participation requires that a student be already admitted to the University of Washington, working in the biological, physical, computational, mathematical, chemical, engineering or quantitative social sciences.

Required Courses and Activities

The following are all required to receive the Certificate. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate Program will require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for courses required for the Certificate and a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

1.  At least two quarters of AMATH 500, a theoretical neuroscience journal club. In at least one quarter you will present a paper.

2.  At least two of the following core courses (graded):

CourseTitle
NEURO 545Quantitative Methods in Neuroscience
CSE/NEURO 528Computational Neuroscience
AMATH 534Dynamics of Neurons and Networks
EE/BIOE 560Neuroengineering

3.  At least two of the following elective courses, totaling at least 7 additional graded credits:

CourseTitleCredits
NEURO 502Sensory and motor systems5
NEURO 503Cognitive and integrative neuroscience4
NEURO 511a Artiphysiology3
EE 596b Practical Introduction to Neural Networks
AMATH 582Computational methods for data analysis5
AMATH 522Computational modeling of biological systems5
CSE 546/STAT 535Machine learning4
EE 505Probability and random processes4
STAT 535Statistical learning3
AMATH 533/ CSE 529Neural control of movement3
AMATH/CSE 589Intelligent control through optimization and learning3
EE 518Digital signal processing4
EE 546Applied neural control3
ENTRE 579Health Innovation Practicum2
EE/BIOE 561Neural Engineering Tech Studio4

4.  Capstone project: As a capstone experience, all students will present a 10-15 minute talk, with additional time for questions, at an annual research symposium or equivalent event which will demonstrate mastery of a computational or mathematical approach applied to a problem in neuroscience. This work may align with the student’s core thesis work or may be a side project inspired by coursework, course projects or participation in external summer courses. Students will generally present their capstone presentation between the 3rd and 5th years of graduate school. All enrolled students will be expected to attend this yearly event.

Admission requirements and application instructions

Admission is open to students at any stage in their graduate education who will be able to satisfy the requirements by the time of graduation. You should be enrolled in a relevant degree program and have selected a mentor and project within the broad framework of the program. To apply, do the following three things:

  1. Email cncadmin@uw.edu with the following information: your name, graduate program, year started in program, expected date of graduation, thesis mentor’s name.  Please include a copy of your CV, your unofficial graduate transcript, and a short statement about your research interests.
  2. Have your research advisor(s) send an email to cncadmin@uw.edu, cc’ed to you, indicating their awareness and support of your application.