Vision Training at Brown University
Vision training at Brown involves research, coursework, and the development of
career skills. The Basic Research section of this website lists ongoing vision
research at Brown and provides links to individual lab sites. Courses range from
the molecular biology and physiology of the visual system to visual perception and
cognition to neural modeling and implementation of artificial visual systems. In
addition to formal courses, there are numerous journal clubs at which current
research papers are discussed. Recent journal club themes have included visual
perception, population coding, neuroimaging, and physiology.
In addition to the Center for Vision Research seminar series there are many on-
campus and hospital-based seminar series that include coverage of vision.
Moreover, seminars given by top vision scientists are routine parts of colloquia
series in the Departments of Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences, MPPB (Molecular
Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology), Neuroscience, Ophthalmology,
and Psychology. Additional seminars on quantitative aspects of visual processing
and artificial visual systems take place in the Departments of Applied Mathematics,
Computer Science, Engineering, and Physics. Career skills are another essential
component of vision training. Graduate students attend sessions devoted to
scientific ethics, science writing, applying for grants, and applying for research
positions.
Undergraduates interested in vision can take most of the many vision courses listed
on the Vision Courses page. Many vision research labs also host undergraduates
in independent study and honors projects.
Graduate students studying vision are presently training in numerous department-
based graduate programs. These programs include Applied Math, Cognitive and
Linguistic Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Neuroscience, Physics,
Molecular Pharmacology, and Psychology. Research crossing the boundaries of
departments and laboratories is highly encouraged.
Students are supported by teaching assistantships, outside fellowships, and a
variety of research grants. In addition, the Center for Vision Research has a grant
from the National Eye Institute specifically for training graduate students in vision
research and the Brain Science Program offers support for graduate training that
cuts across the computational and brain sciences.
How to apply for graduate school:
Students interested in graduate research in vision should apply to one or more of
the graduate programs listed above. Candidates must submit their applications to
the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School.
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