Program

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON Department of Biomedical Engineering and Medical School announce a new National Institutes for Health supported predoctoral training program, the Clinical Neuroengineering Training Program (CNTP). The objective of this program is to educate a new cadre of scientists and engineers to generate new fundamental understandings of neuroscience and translate these findings to clinical treatment. The training will cross traditional boundaries to develop individuals skilled in clinical, scientific, and engineering approaches to advancing neuroscience. Trainees receive Ph.D. degrees in their chosen field, such as biomedical engineering, neuroscience, medical physics, physiology, or a growing list of other fields in which faculty trainers are available.

Each trainee has a thesis committee of faculty trainers with representation from each of the three areas of the CNTP: clinical, neuroscience and engineering. In addition to coursework required by the trainee's chosen field, they complete a new problem-based learning course designed to discern where and when each of the three individual areas apply for specific problems. A problem-based or case approach is used to develop skills in acquiring, analyzing, and integrating data through collaborative team inquiry. Students also select a minor in a cross-discipline to increase their breadth, for instance an engineer would take classes in biology, and vice versa. In addition, students also participate in a CNTP seminar program and do a clinical rotation with a clinical faculty member to gain a clinical perspective.

Traineeships are awarded for a period of two years and cover the student's tuition and fees as well as provide a monthly stipend for living expenses. Competitions for traineeships are usually held in the spring and fall of each year, for incoming and enrolled students, respectively.