◆Program Introduction

     The International PhD Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience (UST) integrates existing teaching and research personnel and resources from participating schools within the University System of Taiwan to establish the International PhD Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience. The goal of this program is to cultivate research talents in interdisciplinary neuroscience in Taiwan and internationally, inspire young scholars' innovative academic foundation and applied abilities, and explore neuroscience issues through interdisciplinary strategies, thereby expanding and advancing the capacity of existing neuroscience.

     In terms of research directions, the program encompasses four major areas: Basic Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Neural Engineering, and Clinical Neuroscience, serving as directions for nurturing research talents.

◆Teaching and Research Units and Faculty

◎ Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, National Central University

◎ Department of Biological Science & Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (CT campus)

◎ Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (YM campus)

◎ Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (YM campus)

◎ Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University

◆Research Areas: Interdisciplinary Neuroscience

◎ Basic Neuroscience  

     The field of neuroscience can be subdivided into various specialized subjects based on different perspectives and purposes. In the field of basic neuroscience research, emphasis is placed on the biological mechanisms of the nervous system, including its structure, function, evolution, genetic genes, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology. Research topics focus on molecules, cells, and neural systems, which are relevant to many fields, demonstrating profound potential for interdisciplinary development and serving as an indispensable foundation for neuroscience research.

◎ Cognitive Neuroscience

     Building upon biology and basic neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience integrates experimental paradigms from psychophysics, cognitive psychology, functional neuroimaging, and electrophysiology to explore patterns of behavioral development and the operation of brain functions. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, this research field often requires foundational knowledge in neuroscience, biology, and psychology, as well as integration with sociology, education, linguistics, and other disciplines to engage in experimental design from multiple perspectives, obtaining multiple pieces of evidence for cognitive neuroscience from the experimental process.

◎ Clinical Neuroscience

     Due to the highly developed modern society and the trend of population aging, the number of patients suffering from neurological disorders caused by neurological dysfunction is increasing. Common neurological disorders include brain tumors, strokes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorders, depression, etc. By combining basic neuroscience research with clinical medical case studies, the aim is to explore the causes of neurological disorders, find effective ways to alleviate the conditions of patients, and improve cognitive functions through basic neuroscience research. This is currently an active direction of research and development in the field of clinical neuroscience.

◎ Neural Engineering

     Neural engineering research belongs to the emerging field of scientific research, which introduces engineering techniques into the study of central nervous system and neural system functions, thereby innovating scientific manipulation of mechanical movements. The field of neural engineering requires integration with knowledge from computer engineering, electronic engineering, and related experiments in clinical neuroscience to expand the combination of computational intelligence technology across biomedical and electrical and information fields, aiming to effectively develop innovative technologies applied in biomedical information technology.

◆Program Curriculum Planning

     The curriculum planning of this program aims to systematically establish relevant foundations for students from different backgrounds to communicate with each other, cultivate interdisciplinary talents, and recruit doctoral students into four groups: "Basic Neuroscience Group," "Cognitive Neuroscience Group," "Clinical Neuroscience Group," and "Neural Engineering Group."

     Apart from students from life sciences, clinical medicine, information, and engineering fields, students with backgrounds in psychology, linguistics, education, etc., are also welcome to apply for admission. The enrollment target of this program is not limited to undergraduate students. As long as they have enthusiasm for neuroscience research, they are welcome to join this program.

     After enrollment, students are not divided into groups but choose their supervising professors based on personal interests. The courses they take are determined based on their backgrounds and chosen research areas. Doctoral students are required to complete at least 18 credits, while direct doctoral degree graduate students are required to complete at least 30 credits, including the compulsory subjects set by this program. Thesis credits for doctoral students (12 credits) are counted separately.

◎ Courses

Compulsory Subjects

1. Introduction to Neuroscience:

Choose five out of the following courses, totaling at least 5 credits:

1. 1. Introduction to Neurobiology
   2. Cognitive Neuroscience
   3. Neural Engineering
   4. Introduction to Neuroscience
   5. Neuroscience
2. Seminar: 4 credits
3. Laboratory Rotations: 1 credit

Elective Subjects

1. Participate in neuroscience-related courses offered by departments in this program.
2. In addition to the courses offered by this program, students may also take biomedical-related courses offered by other relevant departments (subject to the approval of the supervising professor).

◆ Admissions Information

◎ National Central University Admissions System

◎ Office of International Affairs, National Central University (Information for International Students)

◎ Academic Affairs Office, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

◎ Office of International Affairs, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Information for International Students)

◎ Office of International Affairs, National Tsing Hua University (Information for International Students)

◆ Contact Us

◎ Program Convener

Professor Denise Hsien Wu

Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, National Central University

Email: denisewu@cc.ncu.edu.tw

Tel: (03) 4227151#65205

Fax: (03) 4263502

◎ Program Committee

Professor Shih-Kuen Cheng, National Central University

Professor Chung-Chuan Lo, National Tsing Hua University

Professor Chih-Mao Huang, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (CTcampus)

Professor Ya-Wei Cheng, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (YM campus)

◎ Program Affairs Contact