Introduction

The Cajal Advanced Neuroscience Training Programme is proposing to develop a complete core technical training curriculum for new neuroscience researchers: the NeuroCore.

The NeuroCore curriculum will comprise four hands-on hardware modules, the NeuroKits (in yellow), and four software modules, the NeuroBits (in gray).

 

NeuroKits

The NeuroKits are a set of four “kits”, boxes containing all the physical materials required to design and implement experimental hardware, which are sent to students prior to their course. The Cajal Programme will develop 4 NeuroKits:

- Bootcamp: introduction to computers (hardware, software). Build a robot. A first version of this course has already been developed, see more information here. 

- E-phys: basics of electrophysiology. Build your own EMG,EEG system. A first version of this course has already been developed, see more information here.

- Optics: essential optical techniques. Build a microscope.

- Behaviour: modern tools for behaviour assay design. Build a psychophysics experiment. A first version of this course has already been developed, see more information here, combined with a new course on Modern Approaches to Behavioural Analysis based on the DeeplabCut software.  

NeuroBits

Each NeuroKit is then coupled with a computational module, the NeuroBits, which introduces the fundamentals of programming, data analysis, and machine learning with training tutorials directly linked to the data acquired by the instruments designed and built during each NeuroKit. The Cajal Programme will develop 4 NeuroBits:

- Software Architecture: fundamentals of programming

- Signal Processing: intro to 1D digital signal analysis

- Image Processing: intro to 2D digital image analysis

- AI/ML: Modern machine learning methods for neuroscience

 

This will allow us to create a highly effective learning platform, where the largest community of international neuroscience students and instructors ever assembled will share the same materials and knowledge.

This complete NeuroCore programme will be the first of its kind and provide foundational core training in the state-of-the-art technical skills required of a modern neuroscientist.

The main features of the NeuroCore curriculum

1. Practicality: students receive hands-on training with real lab technology to build data acquisition systems. The hands-on component is fundamental for in-depth applied knowledge.

2. Relevance: the coupling between the data acquired and the computational methods used to analyse the data encourages students to invest the time to acquire these vital digital skills.

3. Scalability: the high-quality recorded lectures and online content are reusable, allowing students from all over the world to receive the same outstanding training.

4. Accessibility: the physical components are standardized and shared across kits, which allows us to greatly reduce the cost per student.

5. Social Experience: a large community of international young researchers and experts in the field can be connected together through an online platform, sharing a common curriculum and the same physical materials.

6. Up-to-date: online lectures and hands-on materials are constantly updated by an international faculty of experts in the field.

Express your interest to be part of the NeuroCore

 

If you, your Institute, University, or Masters/PhD Programme would like to be part of the development of this initiative, please enter your details, or the entity you represent, below.

We will then be in touch with information about pilot NeuroCore programmes that you can decide to join (and contribute to).

On behalf of the Cajal Programme, thank you for your interest.