Bachelor of Science in Computational Neuroscience
The computational neuroscience major is designed for those students with an interest in applying
mathematical and computational methodologies towards understanding the structure and
functioning of the nervous system. The major will provide progressive training in
interdisciplinary and interfaculty aspects of Neuroscience, and serve as a foundation for students
interested in pursuing post-graduate education in graduate or professional schools or career
opportunities in technically advanced occupations. Research is integral to this major and
students are encouraged to engage in research with Neuroscience faculty as early as possible in
their undergraduate years.
Co-Coordinators: Drs. Irving Biederman and Albert Herrera
Undergraduate Advisors: Lica Abu-Esba abuesba@dornsife.usc.edu and Briana Weiland
bweiland@dornsife.usc.edu
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or higher is required to count toward major requirements.
Program Requirements:
11 core courses + 6-7 electives; 62-68 units (44 core)
Core Requirements
BISC 220L or General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology
BISC 221L
Advanced General Biology
BISC 421
Neurobiology
CHEM-103Lx General Chemistry for the Environment and Life
or CHEMGeneral Chemistry
105aLg
MATH 125
Calculus 1
MATH 126
Calculus 2
NEUR 408
Systems Neuroscience
PHYS-135aL or Physics for Life Sciences
PHYS 151
Fundamentals of Physics I
PHYS-135bL as Physics for Life Sciences
or PHYS 152 Fundamentals of Physics II
PSYC 100
Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 274
Statistics
PSYC 440
Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
COMPUTATIONAL AREA
Units
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Students are to take a total of three courses. The courses are listed in the table according to
the programming language of the courses. It is not obligatory that all courses be from the same
programming language but the student should be aware that knowledge of a different language
will likely be assumed in the advanced courses. Only one introductory programming course
will be counted towards the major, although an introductory programming course is not required.
Optional: Choose one course (2-4 units)
COMPUTATIONAL AREA:
INTRODUCTORY COURSES
Units Language
EE 150
Engineering Computational
Methods
3 Matlab
ITP 109
Introduction to Java
Programming
2 Java
ITP 115
Programming in Python
2 Python
ITP 168
Introduction to Matlab
2 Matlab
CSCI 455 Intro to Programming
System Design
4 Java /
C++
CSCI
103L
3 C/C++
Introduction to Programming
Choose 2-3 courses (6-12 units). A minimum of two courses are required.
COMPUTATIONAL AREA: ADVANCED COURSES
BME 210
Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods
BME 402
Control and Communication in the Nervous System
CSCI 445
Introduction to Robotics
CSCI 360
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
PSYC 450L
Neural Network Models of Social and Cognitive Processes
Units
3
3
3
3
4
A graduate-level advanced course from those listed below may be substituted for the undergraduate
advanced course with permission.
BME 502
BME 575L
CSCI 561
CSCI 564
GRADUATE-LEVEL COURSES
Advanced Studies of the Nervous System
Computational Neuroengineering
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
Brain Theory and Artificial Intelligence
Units
4
3
3
3
CSCI 574
CSCI 662
EE 559
NSCI 524
NSCI 531
NSCI 532
PSYC 506
PSYC 510
PSYC 540
PSYC 544
PSYC 545
PSYC 547
PSYC 551
PSYC 555
Computer Vision
Advanced Natural Language Processing
Mathematical Pattern Recognition
Advanced Overview of Neurosciences
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
Systems and Behavioral Neurobiology
Learning and Cognition
Visual Cognition
Cognitive Neuroscience
Psychophyisology
Neuropsychology
Functional Neuroanatomy
Decision Neuroscience
Introduction to Functional Magnet Resonance Imaging
BIOLOGICAL AREA
Choose 1-2 courses (4 units)
BISC 424
BISC 461
BISC 462
BISC 481
BSIC 490
BIOLOGICAL AREA
Units
Brain Architecture
4
Seminar in Molecular and Computational Biology
2,
max 4
Seminar in Neurobiology
2,
max 4
Structural Bioinformatics from Atoms to Cells
4
Directed Research
2-4,
max 8
PSYCHOLOGY AREA
Choose one (4 units)
PSYC 301L
PSYC 304L
PSYC 326
PSYC 420
PSYC 424
PSYC 425
PYSC 438
PSYCHOLOGY AREA
Units
Cognitive Processes
4
Sensation and Perception
4
Behavioral Neuroscience
4
Animal Behavior
4
Neuropsychology
4
Functional Imaging of the Human Brain
4
Behavioral Genetics
4
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Math Electives
Choose one (4 units) below OR from those listed above not already counting for the
major.
MATH 225
MATH 226
MATH 245
MATH ELECTIVES
Units
Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations
4
Calculus III
4
Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I
4