Training program in computational approaches to brain and behavior

The Training Program in Computational Neuroscience (TPCN) supports integrated undergraduate and graduate training in computational neuroscience and computational cognitive science at New York University. The program is hosted by the Center for Neural Science and the Cognition and Perception area in the Department of Psychology, reflecting the dual roles of brain and behavior. The TPCN program faculty consist of 39 highly productive PIs, many of whom are primarily or exclusively engaged in computational/theoretical research. Each trainee is appointed for one year. Each TPCN trainee completes coursework in computational neuroscience, computational cognitive science, and/or data science/machine learning. They conduct research throughout the year in the laboratory of one of the program faculty members. Trainees and mentors participate in TPCN-specific professional development activities (Cross-Level Seminars), which include skills tutorials, career preparation, and workshopping each other’s writings and presentations. Trainees attend the Swartz Seminar in Computational Neuroscience and attend and present in a didactic journal club preceding each seminar. Trainees present in the Annual Symposium on Computational Neuroscience. Taken together, these activities form a comprehensive preparation for an academic career in computational neuroscience. Finally, to equip a broader pool of undergraduate students for research in computational neuroscience and computational cognitive science, the program runs an annual Math and Coding Bootcamp for those who have not previously taken college-level math or coding. The TPCN is directed by a Program Director, a Steering Committee consisting of four faculty members, and evaluated in Years 2 and 4 by an external Advisory Board.