Bionet Academics
The Bionet Group offers and coordinates a number of courses and student projects in Computational Neurocience. For related courses see also the optional MS Concentration in Systems Biology and Neuroengineering and Concentration in Data-Driven Analysis and Computation, both offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering.
Undergraduate/Graduate Courses
| Fall 2025: | BMEB W4020 Computational Neuroscience: Circuits in the Brain |
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| Spring 2026: | ECBM E4070 Computing with Brain Circuits of Model Organisms |
Graduate/Post-graduate Courses
| Spring 2026: | ECBM E6070 Topics in Neuroscience and Deep Learning: Computing with Brain Circuits of Model Organisms |
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Project Opportunities
A range of interdisciplinary projects are open to Columbia students majoring in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Neurobiology/Neuroscience. Projects typically start at the beginning of the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester and are available on a rolling basis. Internships are also available. Students selected to work on independent projects are expected to register for a project course and receive academic credit. Interested students should send their résumés or CVs to Prof. Aurel A. Lazar.
- Building Interactive Computing Tools for the Fruit Fly Brain Observatory
- CAPSTONE Project: Autonomous Fruit Fly Robot
- Exploring the Functional Logic of Fruit Fly Brain Circuits
Related student activity: Fruit Fly Brain Hackathon. More information on the research activities of the Bionet Group is available here.
MS Thesis in Electrical Engineering: Concentration in Systems Biology and Neuroengineering
Enrollment in ELEN E6003 Master's Thesis requires a minimum of 3 points of credit in ELEN E6001 or E6002 and the approval of a thesis advisor.
Additional course requirements for a Master's Thesis in the Bionet lab:
- BMEB W4020 Computational Neuroscience: Circuits in the Brain
- ECBM E4040 Neural Networks and Deep Learning
- ECBM E4060 Introduction to Genomic Information Science and Technology
- ECBM E4070 Computing with Brain Circuits of Model Organisms
These courses are also listed in the optional Concentration in Systems Biology and Neuroengineering. For further details please contact Professor Aurel A. Lazar.
MS Research Specialization: Concentration in Systems Biology and Neuroengineering
The Department of Electrical Engineering offers qualified MS students the option to pursue the MS Research Specialization. This specialization is merit-based; each student needs to find a full-time faculty member in Electrical Engineering who is willing to supervise their research. Students need to first do at least 3 credits of 6001/6002 (as part of the 24 credits in their first two semesters) under the supervision of their research advisor and then need recommendation from their research advisor to apply and be admitted to concentration by the department.
Admitted students will typically take a 6-credit (zero tuition) research course ENGI E4990 in their third semester, in addition to the remaining 6 credits of their other third-semester courses, to achieve a total of 12 credits and full-time status in their third semester. They can then take another 6-credit (zero tuition) research course ENGI E4990 in their fourth semester. The course is a letter-grade course and can be taken in the fall or spring. The grades will be included on the transcript. ENGI E4990 credits do not count as credits for the MS degree. See https://bulletin.engineering.columbia.edu/interdisciplinary-engineering-courses for the bulletin description.
Interested students are encouraged to contact Professor Aurel A. Lazar.