Adventures in Vision Science

VIU Undergraduate Program of Study

The Vision and Image Understanding (VIU) Laboratory runs an unofficial, multi-year training program for UCSB undergraduate students (PBS, but also CS and other majors) in the fields of Vision Science and Neuroscience. The program is designed to make UCSB students highly competitive for top graduate programs worldwide, specifically in Vision Science, Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). However, the technical and analytical skills acquired here apply to a broad set of scientific disciplines and industry career paths.

The curriculum strongly emphasizes developing critical thinking, analytical depth, meticulous work habits, professional communication, and the ability to contextualize research within the history of the field. Students gain deep expertise using both classic and state-of-the-art tools in vision science and neuroscience through integrated coursework and hands-on research training.

Coursework Requirements & Recommendations

Psychological & Brain Sciences (PBS) Core Coursework

PSY 130: Visual Perception (Dr. Eckstein)
PSY 129L: Perception Laboratory (Dr. Eckstein)
PSY 132: Visual Neuroscience (Dr. Beyeler)
PSY 163A: AI and Visual Cognition (Dr. Eckstein)

Advanced Coursework in Vision Science

PSY 228: Graduate Perception (Dr. Eckstein)
- Prerequisites: Instructor approval. This course is reserved strictly for advanced students who have completed the undergraduate series with top grades, participated in at least a full year of PSY 99/199 research experience, and plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Vision Science, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, or a related field.

Recommended Electives Outside PBS

To maximize your training, we highly recommend taking foundational courses in:

Calculus (Physics/Engineering series)
Linear Algebra
Basic Programming / Computer Science
Pattern Recognition & Image Processing
Linear Regression & Statistical Modeling
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Research Experience (PSY 99 / 199)

Students are expected to enroll in multiple quarters of independent research within the VIU lab. Responsibilities and opportunities include:

Collaborating with graduate students and postdocs on specific experimental pipelines.
Mastering psychophysics methodologies and eye-tracking techniques.
Gaining fluency in quantitative data analysis and programming.
Attending internal VIU lectures and seminars featuring national and international guest speakers.
Participating in journal clubs to learn how to critically evaluate and present scientific literature

Details of how to sign up for PSY 99/199: Information for prospective research 99/199s (how to get involved)

Advanced Opportunities

URCA Grants: Students who have developed advanced skills and a strong coursework background are encouraged to apply for the Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (URCA) grant.
Senior Honors Thesis: Exceptional, graduate-bound students may apply to conduct a Senior Thesis with the lab (please inquire directly with your graduate student or postdoc mentor).

Core Competencies & Techniques Covered

Throughout your years at the VIU lab and through associated coursework, you will gain technical expertise in:

Designing rigorous psychophysics experiments
Signal Detection Theory (SDT)
Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis for behavioral and neural data
Statistical hypothesis testing and bootstrap analysis
Implementing Bayesian Ideal Observers
Training and evaluating Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs)
Pattern classification and machine learning basics
Representational Dissimilarity Analysis (RDA)
Single-neuron analysis within biological and artificial networks
Applying computational techniques to multi-modal neuroimaging (Single-unit recordings, EEG, and fMRI)
Core principles of video-based eye tracking

Above all, this program is structured to help you cultivate a lifelong passion for the intersection of Vision Science, Neuroscience, and Cognitive Science.