Neural Engineering Option
The neural engineering option in engineering science and mechanics provides students with fundamental engineering training and advanced technical work at the intersection of engineering and neuroscience. Students will have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of experimental, theoretical, computational, and clinical brain science research, as well as engineering approaches to develop advanced neurotechnology.
This option starts with the fundamental engineering and science courses required to have access to the core neuroscience and engineering coursework. Students will then focus on advanced technological courses related to materials and device development, mechanics, modeling and analysis of brain-related data. Furthermore, this option fosters considerations of the responsible research and innovation of neuroscience and neurotechnology.
The neural engineering option provides students with the skills and background they need to pursue careers in neural engineering in industrial and academic settings, data science, biomedical device research and development, as well as for attending medical school or other professional programs.
Foundational Courses
Students must take 12 credits of foundational courses.
Required:
- BMB 251: Molecular and Cell Biology (can be replaced with BIOL 230M or BIOL 230W)
Prerequisite: CHEM 112 - BIOL 469: Neurobiology
Prerequisites: BIO 110 and CHEM 110 or BMB 251 - ESC 400H: Electromagnetism
Choose from:
- STAT 414: Introduction to Probability Theory
- EE 310: Electronic Circuit Design
- EE 352: Signals and Systems—Continuous and Discrete
- ME 345: Instrumentation, Measurements and Statistics
- AERSP 311: Aerodynamics
Prerequisites: EMCH 212, Math 251, CMPSC 201
Alternatives in Fluid Dynamics include: BME 409, AERSP 308, ME 320.
Design Courses
Students must take 3 credits of design courses.
- ESC 460M: Multidisciplinary Design Project
- ESC 460W: Multidisciplinary Design Project
- EDSGN 260: Summers by Design: An International Engineering Design Experience
- EDSGN 400: Engineering Systems Design
- EDSGN 468: Engineering Design and Analysis with CAD
General Education Courses
The following courses are suggested for this track:
- Phil 132: Bioethics (Fills GH)
- ESC 220N: Ethics, Society and Science Fiction (Fills General Education/Interdomain)
- Phil 432: Medical and Health Care Ethics
Technical Electives
Students need at least four courses and two of those must be engineering courses.
See full list of options, allocated with focus on core elements of physiology; materials and chemistry; devices and instrumentation; modeling, mathematics and physics; data analysis and data sciences.
The choices here are highly customizable, and choices should be discussed with both your engineering science and mechanics adviser and research/thesis mentor.
Example Elective Choices might be:
All have the same FE1-3:
Premed
- FE4—Stat 414: Introduction to Probablity Theory
- TE1—Chem 210: Organic Chemistry
- TE2—BIOL 472: Mammalian Physiology
- TE3—BME 448: Regulatory Affairs
- TE4—ESC 456: Introduction to Neural Networks
Electronics Instrumentation and Measurement
- FE4—EE 310: Electronic Circuit Design
- TE1—BME 402: Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements
- TE2—EE 352: Signals and Systems: Continuous and Discrete Time
- TE3—ESC 456: Introduction to Neural Networks
- TE4—Phy 465: Network analysis of biological systems
Neural Mechanics
- FE4—AESP 311: Mechanics of Fluids
- TE1—EMCH 409: Advanced Mechanics (really Dynamics)
- TE2—EMCH 461 Finite Elements in Engineering
- TE3—BME 413: Mass Transport in Biological Systems
- TE4—Phy 465: Network analysis of biological systems
Wearables Implantables & Fabrication
- FE4—ME 345: Instrumentation, Measurements and Statistics
- TE1—ESC 411: Nanotechnology: Materials Infrastructure and Safety
- TE2—ESC 414: Elements of Material Engineering
- TE3—ESC 481: Elements of Nano/Micro-electromechanical Systems Processing and Design
- TE4—BME 444: Surfaces and the Biological Response to Materials
Neural Data Analysis
- FE4—EE 352: Signals and Systems: Continuous and Discrete
- TE1—ESC 456: Introduction to Neural Networks
- TE2—Stat 414: Introduction to Probablity Theory
- TE3—BME 402: Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements
- TE4—Phy 465: Network analysis of biological systems
Control and Prosthetics
- FE4—EE 352: Signals and Systems: Continuous and Discrete
- TE1—EMCH 409: Advanced Mechanics (really Dynamics)
- TE2—EE 481: Control Systems
- TE3—EE 484: Control Systems Design
- TE4—Kines 471: Motor Control
Theoretical & Mathematical Approaches
- FE4—AESP 311: Aerodynamics
- TE1—EMCH 409: Advanced Mechanics (really Dynamics)
- TE2—ESC 404: Analysis in Engineering Science
- TE3—Math 405: Advanced Calculus for Engineers and Scientists
- TE4—Math 450: Mathematical Modeling
Full Technical Elective Choices
Physiology
- Biol 141/142: Introduction to Human Physiology
- Biol 467: Molecular Basis of Neurological Disease (Prerequisite: Biol 230 or BMB 251)
- Biol 472: Mammalian Physiology (Prerequisite: BMB 251, Biol 230, Biol 240, or Biol 141/2)
- Biol 475: Human Pathophysiology (Prerequisite: Bio 141/2 or Bio 472)
- BME 448: Regulatory Affairs (Prerequisite: ENGL 202C and ECON 102)
- HHD 410: Clinical Research Practice
- Kines 471: Motor Control
- Phys 462: Applications of Physics in Medicine (Prerequisite: Phys 211)
- Phys 472: Elements of Nuclear Physics and its applications to medical imaging and treatment (Prerequisite: Phys 211-14 and Phys 237)
Materials and Chemistry
- BME 443: Biomedical Materials (Prerequisite:Chem 112 and Math 230)
- BME 444: Surfaces and the Biological Response to Materials (Prerequisite: Chem 112)
- BME 446H: Polymers in Biomedical Engineering (Prerequisite: Chem 112, Chem 113, Chem 210, and EMCH 210)
- CE 350: Process Heat Transfer (Prerequisite: CHE 210)
- CHE 438: Bioprocess Engineering (Prerequisite: CHEM 212)
- CHE 443: Introduction to Polymer Science (Prerequisite: Chem 210 and CHE 320)
- CHEM 210: Organic Chemistry (Prerequisite:Chem 112 or Chem 112H)
- CHEM 452: Physical Chemistry - quantum chemistry (Prerequisite: Chem 112, Phys 212, Math 141, and Math 230
- CHEM 466: Molecular Thermodynamics (Prerequisite: Chem 450 or CHE 220)
- CHEM 472: General Biochemistry 1 (Prerequisite: Chem 212)
- EMCH 400: Advanced Strength of Materials and Design
- EMCH 402: Applied and Experimental Stress Analysis
- EMCH 403: Stength Design of Materials and Design
- EMCH 416: Failure and Failure Analysis of Solids
- ESC 412: Nanotechnology: Materials Infrastructure and Safety
- ESC 414: Elements of Material Engineering (Prerequisite: ESC 312 or Phys 237)
- ESC 419: Electronic Properties and Application of Materials (Prerequisite: ESC 312)
- ESC 450: Synthesis and Processing of Electronic and Photonic Materials (Prerequisite: ESC 414)
- ESC 455: Electrochemical Methods Engineering and Corrosion Science (Prerequisite: ESC 414)
- ESC 484: Biologically Inspired Nanomaterials (Prerequisite: Phys 214 and Math 230)
- IE 424: Processing Quality Engineering (Prerequisite: Math 141 Math 220)
- Matse 402: Materials and Process Kinetics (Prerequisite: Matse 201 and Matse 202 and Math 251)
- Matse 403: Biomedical Materials (Prerequisite: Chem 112 and Math 230)
- Matse 404: Surfaces and the Biological Responses to Materials (Prerequisite: Chem 112)
- Matse 441: Polymeric Materials (Prerequisite: Chem 210 and Matse 202 and Math 230)
- Matse 445: Thermodynamics, Microstructure, and Characterizations of Polymers (Prerequisite: Matse 202)
- Matse 446: Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Polymers and Composites (Prerequisite: Matse 202)
- Matse 447: Rheology of Polymers (Prerequisite: Matse 202)
Mechanics
- BME 409: Biofluid Mechanics (Prerequisite: Math 230, Math 251, and Biol 240W)
- BME 413: Mass Transport in Biological Systems (Prerequisite: Phys 213, Math 251, and Biol 240W
- EE 481: Control Systems (Prerequisite: Phys 211 and EE 352)
- EE 483: Introduction to Automation and Robotic Systems (Prerequisite: EE 481)
- EE 484: Control Systems Design (Prerequisite: EE 481)
- EMCH 409: Advanced Mechanics (really Dynamics) (Prerequisite: Math 230)
- EMCH 416: Failure and Failure Analysis of Solids
- EMCH 446: Mechanics of Viscoelastic Materials (Prerequisite: EMCH 416)
- EMCH 461: Finite Elements in Engineering (Prerequisite:CMPSC 201 (ESC 261))
- ESC 404: Analysis in Engineering Science (Prerequisite: Math 251)
- ME 406: Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics (Prerequisite: ME 300 or ME 201 And Math 231)
- ME 454: Mechatronics (Prerequisite: ME 345)
- Phys 419: Theoretical Mechanics (Prerequisite: Math 230 and Math 251 and Phys 214)
Devices and Instrumentation
- BME 402: Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements (Prerequisite: Math 250 or 251 and EE 210)
- BME 419: Artificial Organs and Prosthetic Devices (Prerequisite: Biol 240W and CMPSC 201)
- CMPEN 461: Communication Networks (Prerequisite: CMPEN 271 and CMPSC 201)
- EE 310: Electronic Circuit Design (Prerequisite: EE 210)
- EE 420: Electro-optics Principles and Devices (Prerequisite: ESC 400)
- EE 422: Optical Engineering Laboratory (Prerequisite: ESC 400)
- EE 424: Principles and Applications of Lasers (Prerequisite: ESC 400)
- EE 483: Introduction to Automation and Robotic Systems (Prerequisite: EE 481)
- ESC 481: Elements of Nano/Micro-electromechanical Systems Processing and Design (Prerequisite: ESC 312)
- ESC 482: Micro-Optoelectromechanical Systems (MOEMS) and Nanophotonics (Prerequisite: Phys 212)
- ESC 483: Simulation and Design of Nanostructures (Prerequisite: ESC 312 and Math 230)
- ESC 484: Biologically Inspired Nanomaterials (Prerequisite: Phys 214 and Math 230)
- ME 345: Instrumentation, Measurements and Statistics (Prerequisite: EE 212)
- ME 445: Microcomputer Interfacing for Mechanical Engineers (Prerequisite: ME 345)
Modeling, Mathematics, and Physics
- CE 350: Process Heat Transfer (Prerequisite: CHE 210)
- CHEM 466: Molecular Thermodynamics (Prerequisite: Chem 450 or CHE 220)
- CMPSC 455: Introduction to Numerical Analysis 1 (Prerequisite: CMPS 201, Math 220, and Math 230)
- EE 465: Probability for Electrical and Computer Engineers (Prerequisite: EE 350 or EE 352 or EE 353)
- EE 480: Linear Systems: Time Domain and Transform Analysis (Prerequisite: EE 350 or EE 352 or permission of program)
- EE 481: Control Systems (Prerequisite: Phys 211 and EE 352)
- EE 484: Control Systems Design (Prerequisite: EE 481)
- ESC 404: Analysis in Engineering Science (Prerequisite: Math 251)
- Math 401: Introduction to Analysis (Prerequisite: Math 230)
- Math 403: Classical Analysis (Prerequisite: Math 312)
- Math 405: Advanced Calculus for Engineers and Scientists 1 (Prerequisite: Math 230 and Math 251)
- Math 410: Complex Analysis for Mathematics and Engineering (Prerequisite: Math 230)
- Math 418: Probability
- Math 422: Wavelets and Fourier Analysis: Theory and Applications
- Math 430: Linear Algebra and Discrete Models (Prerequisite: Math 220)
- Math 450: Mathematical Modeling (Prerequisite: Math 405)
- Math 451: Numerical Computations (Prerequisite: Math 230)
- ME 406: Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics (Prerequisite: ME 300 or ME 201 And Math 231)
- Phys 420: Thermal Physics (Prerequisite: Math 251 and Math 230 and Phys 237)
- Phys 458: Intermediate Optics (Prerequisite: Phys 212-4 and Math 251 and Math 230)
- Phys 465: Network analysis of biological systems (Prerequisite: Math 140 or Biol 230)
- STAT 414: Introduction to Probability Theory (Prerequisite: Math 230 or Math 232)
- STAT 415: Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (Prerequisite: STAT 414)
Data Analysis and Science
- BME 406: Medical Imaging (Prerequisite: Phys 212 and CMPSC 201)
- BME 437: Biomedical Data Science for Bioengineers
- CMPEN 454: Fundamentals of Computer Vision (Prerequisite: Math 230, Math 220, and CMPSC 201)
- CMPEN 455: An Introduction to Digital Image Processing (Prerequisite: EE 350/353/352 and CMPSC 201)
- CMPSC 441: Artificial Intelligence (Concurrent: CMPS 462)
- CMPSC 448: Machine Learning and Algorithmic AI (Prerequisite: Stat 319 or Stat 415 and CMPSC 122/132)
- CMPSC 459: Scientific Visualization (Prerequisite: CMPSC 122)
- CMPSC 462: Data Structures
- EE 352: Signals and Systems: Continuous and Discrete Time (Prerequisite: EE 210 and Math 250)
- EE 458: Digital Image Processing and Computer Vision (Prerequisite: EE 352)
- EE 465: Probability for Electrical and Computer Engineers (Prerequisite: EE 350 or EE 352 or EE 353)
- EE 480: Linear Systems: Time Domain and Transform Analysis (Prerequisite: EE 350 or EE 352 or permission of program)
- EE 481: Control Systems (Prerequisite: Phys 211 and EE 352)
- ESC 456: Introduction to Neural Networks (Prerequisite: CMPSC 201 and Math 220)
- Math 422: Wavelets and Fourier Analysis: Theory and Applications
- Math 430: Linear Algebra and Discrete Models (Prerequisite: Math 220)
- Math 452: Deep Learning Algorithms and Analysis (Prerequisite: Math 220 and Math 230 and CMPSC 201)
- Phys 465: Network analysis of biological systems (Prerequisite: Math 140 or Biol 230)
- STAT 414: Introduction to Probability Theory (Prerequisite: Math 230 or Math 232)
- STAT 415: Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (Prerequisite: STAT 414)
Other
Undergraduate Options
- Overview
- Experimental Mechanics and Materials Option
- Materials and Design in Manufacturing Option
- Micro- and Nano-structured Devices for Biological and Biomedical Applications Option
- Neural Engineering Option
- Semiconductor and Quantum Materials and Devices Option
- Signals, Systems, and Sensing Option
- Theoretical and Computational Mechanics Option
- Acoustics Option
- Self-designed Option
-
Neural Engineering Option
- Foundational Courses
- Design Courses
- General Education Courses
- Technical Electives
- Full Technical Elective Choices
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Contact
- Bruce J. Gluckman
Director, Center for Neural Engineering
Director, Cross Disciplinary Neural Engineering Predoctoral Training Program
Professor, Departments of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Neurosurgery, Biomedical Engineering
BruceGluckman@psu.edu