Masters Training Program in Neurophysiology

The aim of this program is to provide students with an integrated view of neurophysiology and an appreciation of how new computational methods may be used to understand complex biological systems. Divisions between traditional fields of research are breaking down as the depth and breath of scientific analysis increases. Quantitative and qualitative information about biological systems is accumulating at an unprecedented rate. To fully exploit these advances the next generation of research students must be familiar with not only in vivo and in vitro methods of scientific investigation, but also computational and information analysis. Students must appreciate how these methods of analysis can cross-fertilise different avenues of research providing more complete understanding of biological systems, and leading to socially and economically valuable and exploitable opportunities. The integration of the MSc Neuroscience and EPSRC/BBSRC/MRC Neuroinformatic DTC programs, has been very successful at introducing students with computer science and physical science backgrounds to the broad field of neuroscience. We now wish to exploit these existing collaborative teaching and research relationships to provide a complementary training for biological science students in informatic and computational approaches. The MTG in Neurophysiology will train biological science students in computational approaches in the context of a systematic approach to Neurophysiology. GENERAL STRUCTURE: Through a series of research seminars, workshops practical demonstrations and journal clubs, students will be introduced to the active research areas in Centre for Integrative Physiology, the Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems and the associated Centre for Neuroregeneration. This will also provide the basis of a training in Neurophysiology. Formal training in computational approaches will be provided from the existing range of MSc courses delivered by the School of Informatics. Additional formal training will be given in the use of optical imaging for quantitative morphological analysis and intermolecular interactions. All these training resources are currently available. Students will do two sequential research projects of 12 weeks that will each include both computational and experimental analysis. Choice of project is primarily the responsibility of the student, in consultation with the Program Director. During the course of their 12 month studies students will also have the opportunity to attend an international scientific meeting.