WPI Launches Transdisciplinary Masters Degree Program in Neuroscience

This Worcester place of learning just never stops. Recognizing the urgent need to develop a better understanding of the brain, behavior, and the causes of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has launched a master of science program in neuroscience with a unique focus on artificial intelligence and computational techniques and approaches. The program will prepare neuroscientists with the broad interdisciplinary skills needed to tackle one of the most important scientific challenges of our age and develop a new generation of treatments.

The transdisciplinary masters in neuroscience degree program has four primary focus areas: computational neuroscience, cellular and molecular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, and psychological science.

With over 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion connections, the brain is among the most complex biological system known and holds the key to who we are and how we perceive and interact with the world, said Jean King, Peterson Family Dean of Arts and Sciences and professor of neuroscience. The complexity of this system has made it difficult to develop effective treatments for neurological disorders.

WPIs neuroscience degree program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in biology, biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience, psychology, or related fields and has theses and non-theses options.

Learn more about WPIs Neuroscience Initiative and the new MS program.

Several months ago, The Research Bureau published a very informative report suggesting that if the WRTA went fare-free that it would dramatically increase ridership. About 40 American cities and towns have or hope to go fare-free, including Kansas City, according to an announcement from the Worcester FareFree Task Force.

At the same time, I had filed an order with the Worcester City Council stating that the WRTA service was inefficient and underutilized while being quite costly to city taxpayers, said Worcester City Councilor Gary Rosen. Realizing how important and necessary our transit service is to so many individuals and families, my goal was to encourage our city (and state) elected and appointed officials to take steps to improve service and get more riders back on those buses. Thankfully, that is now happening.

The Research Bureaus report, Sen. Harriett Chandler and Rosen were recruited to join a recently-formed committee that was looking into the feasibility of making the WRTA fare-free. Made up of visionary individuals who want to retain but improve the WRTA, the committee has been meeting regularly for months in the hopes of implementing an appealing fare-free transit system at no additional cost to Worcesters residential and commercial taxpayers.

The next meeting, on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 10 AM sharp, starts at the HUB, 60 Foster St., on the #5 WRTA bus. Participants, and that can include you, ride that bus along with its regular patrons on its normal route.

Governor Charlie Baker has appointed four new board members to the Board of Higher Education, each with years of experience in helping students achieve greater academic success. Three of the four appointees were sworn in at the State House last week, according to an announcement..

Governor Baker appointed Veronica Conforme, the chief executive officer of UP Education Network; Patty Zillian Eppinger, an executive producer of a teen television drama and the past interim president of the Ecotarium; Judy Pagliuca, managing partner at Pagsgroup; and Ann Christensen, president of the nonprofit Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation.

Each of these four women are well-qualified to serve on the Board of Higher Education, and we are pleased they have agreed to dedicate their time to supporting students throughout the Commonwealth, said Baker.

The Board of Higher Education coordinates the Commonwealths 15 community colleges, nine state universities and the University of Massachusetts system, ensuring that Massachusetts residents have opportunities to benefit from a higher education that enriches their lives and civic engagement, advances economic development and social progress of the Commonwealth.

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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - Dec. 18, 2019 - This Week In Worcester