Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Robotics

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This MSc course aims to integrate two active and rapidly developing fields, computational neuroscience and cognitive robotics, to generate innovative strategies and solutions for scientific problems and technological limitations. From modelling human cognition to programming robots to act in their environment, this course crosses the boundary between several disciplines, including biology, neuroscience, psychology, and computer science.

The CNCR MSc course is highly interdisciplinary encompassing psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, computational modelling, neuroimaging, robotics, and patient rehabilitation. The Course is designed for those who are interested in applying knowledge of neural systems, brain function, and modeling to research in human cognition, perception, sensory and motor systems as well as the design of bio-inspired and biologically plausible robotic systems. It has a strong research focus with hands-on modules and practical applications. The course is aimed at both students from psychology/neuroscience with a strong quantitative background and at students from computer science and physics that want to apply their knowledge to neuroscience.

Employability
You will receive training in computational and research methods, and will gain an overview of current research in neuroscience and robotics. The programme will prepare you to go onto high quality PhD programmes, leading to work in a range of fields from advanced robotics to cognitive neuroscience.

Several of our students receive PhD offers before completing the course. It is an opportunity for you to showcase your talent in the School of Psychology and the School of Computer Science, and to increase your chances of pursuing an academic career within the University of Birmingham. It is expected that more PhD positions will become available in relation to research projects within the CNCR Centre, as its members have been extremely successful in securing research funds in the last few years.

A significant part of the CNCR MSc Course involves being part of a research group and conducting an independent research project. For this, you will be assigned a primary supervisor who will help to develop a research proposal in Semester 1 and supervise the research project in Semester 3. Your research project is written up as the masters dissertation and counts for one third of your degree. You will also be assigned a secondary supervisor that supervises your research placement in Semester 2. Exposure to a different research group is intended to broaden research experience and widen research skills repertoire.

The course is organised jointly through the Schools of Psychology and Computer Science, where the primary supervisor will be selected, but you can participate in research also by choosing the secondary supervisor as an affiliate of the CNCR to experience research in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Medical science.

Your choice of course modules will be individualised and agreed between you and your primary supervisor. The goal is to develop your knowledge and skills to allow you to carry out your research project in Semester 3 while learning a wide range of neuroscience, computation, and experimental method topics. Several modules rely on Matlab programming skills for their practical exercises, which could be used also in the placement and project. Students that don't have a sufficient programming knowledge will be required to attend a programming course in Semester 1. Students with an engineering or computational background will be required to audit 'Introduction to Mind Brain and Models' in Semester 1.

You will be taught to devise a research plan, and will read and comment on scientific articles. You will choose the topic for your research project with the help of a research proposal module. A year-long CNCR Foundations module allows you to participate in CNCR seminars, journal clubs, and lab activities to have sufficient knowledge to carry out the research project. This will expose you to cutting edge research and labs. You will also learn to present your research in oral and poster format through a Transferable Skills module in Semester 2.

Modules
The taught modules and research training will provide hands-on expertise and knowledge to successfully perform two short research placements and a longer independent research project, which will be closely supervised by a relevant member of academic staff.

Taught modules cover relevant aspects of cognitive and brain function, including brain imaging and cognitive robotics. Three optional paths are available so that the taught modules are tailored to your interests and previous knowledge. The three paths are intended to enhance either the neuroscience, the computational or the robotics components of the course.

Modules include:

* Intelligent Robotics
* Brain Imaging
* Introduction to Computational Methods
* Neural Computation
* Mind, Brain and Models

You must have a strong interest in learning in an interdisciplinary environment and substantial quantitative and programming skills. Students with good undergraduate degrees from relevant backgrounds are encouraged to apply. These include psychology, neuroscience, computer science, physics, engineering and mathematics. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test: 88 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Please contact the school for details