<p>I'm an undeclared freshman at Lemoyne and I am very interested in brain computer interface (BCI), which involves connecting the brain directly to a computer, creating things like neuroprosthetics (prosthetic limbs that can move as if it's connected to your body) and mind-controlled video games. I'm sure you would have to go to graduate school for this in a special program, but what undergraduate degree should I get? Computer science? Bachelor of science in psychology (requiring 15 natural science credits)? Biology with a concentration in neurobiology? LeMoyne does not have a specific neuroscience or biopsychology degree (if that matters), and I'd rather not switch schools. BCI is mainly a research field now, by the way.</p>
<p>Biology, electrical engineering, or Mechanical Engineering. Truthfully, historically this (bionics) has been in the domain of Mechanical Engineering, though there is a signal processing component to it as well.</p>
<p>You can get into your major early with some nifty neuroware! <a href=“http://www.necomimi.com”>http://www.necomimi.com</a> (Watch the video!)</p>
<p>Computational biology is offered at some schools, and some comp sci have bioinformatics </p>
<p>There are many angles you can approach it from. I’m also interested in the field. I’m a neuroscience major, computer science minor, and I’m planning to go to grad school for bioengineering. Since neuroscience isn’t an option, a technical background (CS, engineering) would be more beneficial than a psych degree. The big thing, though, would be to get involved in research in the field, or at least related to the field. That will let you develop the skills and knowledge specific to the area and get the experience necessary to continue in the field (presumably in graduate school).</p>
<p>Why don’t you look at the people doing this work and see where they started?</p>
<p>I just remembered your question when I was looking at this video of research of computer-brain interface at Brown.
<a href=“Paralyzed woman uses thoughts to sip coffee - YouTube”>Paralyzed woman uses thoughts to sip coffee - YouTube;
<p>nanotechnology, where are you going to grad school? Does it have a specific bci program? I can’t seem to find too many bci-specific grad programs.</p>
<p>Also, is hci (human computer interface) the same thing as bci?</p>
<p>I don’t know where I’m going yet - I’m in the process of applying at this point, and I’m looking at bioegineering/biomedical engineering programs. You have to dig a bit deeper than seeing if they offer a straight BCI program and take a look at what the professors’ research is at different schools.</p>
<p>BCI refers specifically to brain-to-device connection, while HCI is just generally about how humans interact with computers (and often relates more to user interface design). Check out the wikipedia articles for both.</p>