Perception - The study of perception is a principal focus in the Center for Perceptual Systems. In both vision and audition the range of current research is quite broad, spanning sensory process to perceptual organization. Students in this area will find opportunity to work on a range of basic issues that include binocular vision, motion perception, visual grouping, eye movements, spatial vision, speech perception, audition, attention, and memory. Students whose primary emphasis is in perception will also receive substantial training in neuroscience and computational methods.
Systems Neuroscience - The study of the biological basis of perceptual performance is a principal focus in the Center for Perceptual Systems. The various laboratories in the center are applying a wide range of neurophysiological, anatomical and computational methods to advance the understanding of neural information processing in sensory and perceptual systems. There are neuroscience laboratories devoted to the study of the visual systems of cats, monkeys and humans, the auditory systems of frogs, bats, and humans, and the electrical communication systems of electric fish. Students whose primary emphasis is in neuroscience also obtain broad training in behavioral and computation methods.
Computation - The study of the computational and mathematical aspects of perception is a principal focus in the Center for Perceptual Systems. Research in the center is directed at fundamental issues in computational neuroscience, at the development of formal theories of perceptual processing, and at the development of computational, signal-processing and visualization systems motivated by the principles of perception in biological organisms. Students whose primary emphasis is in computation also obtain broad training in behavioral and neuroscience methods.