Abstract:
Contribution: This paper demonstrates curricular modules that incorporate engineering model-based approaches, including concepts related to circuits, systems, modeling, e...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Contribution: This paper demonstrates curricular modules that incorporate engineering model-based approaches, including concepts related to circuits, systems, modeling, electrophysiology, programming, and software tutorials that enhance learning in undergraduate neuroscience courses. These modules can also be integrated into other neuroscience courses. Background: Educators in biological and physical sciences urge incorporation of computation and engineering approaches into biology. Model-based approaches can provide insights into neural function; prior studies show these are increasingly being used in research in biology. Reports about their integration in undergraduate neuroscience curricula, however, are scarce. There is also a lack of suitable courses to satisfy engineering students’ interest in the challenges in the growing area of neural sciences. Intended Outcomes: (1) Improved student learning in interdisciplinary neuroscience; (2) enhanced teaching by neuroscience faculty; (3) research preparation of undergraduates; and 4) increased interdisciplinary interactions. Application Design: An interdisciplinary undergraduate neuroscience course that incorporates computation and model-based approaches and has both software- and wet-lab components, was designed and co-taught by colleges of engineering and arts and science. Findings: Model-based content improved learning in neuroscience for three distinct groups: 1) undergraduates; 2) Ph.D. students; and 3) post-doctoral researchers and faculty. Moreover, the importance of the content and the utility of the software in enhancing student learning was rated highly by all these groups, suggesting a critical role for engineering in shaping the neuroscience curriculum. The model for cross-training also helped facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Education ( Volume: 62, Issue: 1, February 2019)
Funding Agency:
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Benjamin Latimer received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA, in 2014. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research has focused on biophysical modeling of the nervous system and education in computational neuroscience.
Benjamin Latimer received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA, in 2014. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research has focused on biophysical modeling of the nervous system and education in computational neuroscience.View more
Educational, School and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
David A. Bergin received the B.A. degree in English from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA, in 1980, and the Ed.S. degree in program evaluation and the Ph.D. degree in education from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA, in 1986 and 1987, respectively. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on m...Show More
David A. Bergin received the B.A. degree in English from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA, in 1980, and the Ed.S. degree in program evaluation and the Ph.D. degree in education from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA, in 1986 and 1987, respectively. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on m...View more
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Vinay Guntu received the B.S. degree in electronics and communication engineering from JNTU, India, in 2010, and the M.E. degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA, in 2017, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree. His research has focused on biophysical modeling of the hippocampal memory circuits and lower urinary tract.
Vinay Guntu received the B.S. degree in electronics and communication engineering from JNTU, India, in 2010, and the M.E. degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA, in 2017, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree. His research has focused on biophysical modeling of the hippocampal memory circuits and lower urinary tract.View more
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
David J. Schulz received the B.S. degree in biology and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in entomology from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, USA, in 1995, 1997, and 2001, respectively. He is a Professor of biological sciences with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on neural network plasticity and molecular biology of neuronal properties in multiple model systems, including crusta...Show More
David J. Schulz received the B.S. degree in biology and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in entomology from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, USA, in 1995, 1997, and 2001, respectively. He is a Professor of biological sciences with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on neural network plasticity and molecular biology of neuronal properties in multiple model systems, including crusta...View more
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Satish S. Nair (M’88–SM’99) received the B.S. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in 1983, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Ohio State University in 1984 and 1988, respectively, all in mechanical engineering. He is currently a Robert Buescher Professor of electrical and computer engineering with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on dynamical foundations of neuroscie...Show More
Satish S. Nair (M’88–SM’99) received the B.S. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in 1983, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Ohio State University in 1984 and 1988, respectively, all in mechanical engineering. He is currently a Robert Buescher Professor of electrical and computer engineering with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on dynamical foundations of neuroscie...View more
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Benjamin Latimer received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA, in 2014. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research has focused on biophysical modeling of the nervous system and education in computational neuroscience.
Benjamin Latimer received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA, in 2014. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research has focused on biophysical modeling of the nervous system and education in computational neuroscience.View more
Educational, School and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
David A. Bergin received the B.A. degree in English from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA, in 1980, and the Ed.S. degree in program evaluation and the Ph.D. degree in education from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA, in 1986 and 1987, respectively. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on motivation for learning and engineering education related to computational neuroscience.
David A. Bergin received the B.A. degree in English from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA, in 1980, and the Ed.S. degree in program evaluation and the Ph.D. degree in education from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA, in 1986 and 1987, respectively. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on motivation for learning and engineering education related to computational neuroscience.View more
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Vinay Guntu received the B.S. degree in electronics and communication engineering from JNTU, India, in 2010, and the M.E. degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA, in 2017, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree. His research has focused on biophysical modeling of the hippocampal memory circuits and lower urinary tract.
Vinay Guntu received the B.S. degree in electronics and communication engineering from JNTU, India, in 2010, and the M.E. degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA, in 2017, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree. His research has focused on biophysical modeling of the hippocampal memory circuits and lower urinary tract.View more
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
David J. Schulz received the B.S. degree in biology and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in entomology from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, USA, in 1995, 1997, and 2001, respectively. He is a Professor of biological sciences with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on neural network plasticity and molecular biology of neuronal properties in multiple model systems, including crustaceans and mammals.
David J. Schulz received the B.S. degree in biology and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in entomology from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, USA, in 1995, 1997, and 2001, respectively. He is a Professor of biological sciences with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on neural network plasticity and molecular biology of neuronal properties in multiple model systems, including crustaceans and mammals.View more
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Satish S. Nair (M’88–SM’99) received the B.S. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in 1983, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Ohio State University in 1984 and 1988, respectively, all in mechanical engineering. He is currently a Robert Buescher Professor of electrical and computer engineering with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on dynamical foundations of neuroscience, computational neuroscience, systems biology, and nonlinear/adaptive systems.
Satish S. Nair (M’88–SM’99) received the B.S. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in 1983, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Ohio State University in 1984 and 1988, respectively, all in mechanical engineering. He is currently a Robert Buescher Professor of electrical and computer engineering with the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. His research focuses on dynamical foundations of neuroscience, computational neuroscience, systems biology, and nonlinear/adaptive systems.View more