ENIGMA-U is a free online school focused on neuroscience, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, and basic science literacy. It is geared towards advanced high school and entry-level college and university students who are interested in neuroscience and want additional preparation and mentoring. It is open to anyone with internet access.
Our Mission
ENIGMA-U was created to address inequality in the neurosciences. Currently, social and economic barriers can unfairly disadvantage some students. Lack of access to early mentorship has been identified as one of the primary reasons students from historically excluded backgrounds do not finish STEM degrees at the same rate as their peers. Early mentorship is critical both in providing support and encouragement to students and guiding them to develop the necessary skills and knowledge base. ENIGMA-U provides a foundation of knowledge that will prepare students for formal coursework and/or put them in a better position to seek laboratory positions.
Curriculum
The course consists of a series of lectures by experts in the ENIGMA consortium as well as assignments and quizzes. You can go through these lectures at your own pace. There are two tracks – neuroimaging and neuropsychology. The content is the same for both tracks but which content is required vs. optional differs. When you sign up for the course select your chosen track. Included in the below Table is a breakdown of the course, and the full list of available lectures can be seen here:
Module |
Topics Included |
| Introduction | Overview Neuroanatomy Neuroimaging Basics Pop Neuroscience Careers in Science |
| College Prep (optional) | College Application Resources CV/Resume Design Preparing for Job Interviews |
| Science Literacy | The Scientific Process/Study Design Reading Lay Summaries of Science |
| Natural Phenomena | Neurodevelopment Aging Sex Differences |
| Programming | Computer Programming Introduction Linux R Python Matlab |
| Clinical Disorders | ADHD Alzheimer’s Anxiety Aphasia Antisocial Behaviors Autism Bipolar Disorder Dementias Depression Dyslexia Eating Disorders Epilepsy Headache Multiple Sclerosis OCD Parkinson’s PTSD Schizophrenia Stroke Substance Use Disorder TBI/Concussion |
| Statistics | Descriptive Statistics Inferential Statistics |
| Neuropsychology | Introduction to Neuropsychology Interpretation of Neuropsych Exam Data Selective Attention Sustained Attention Executive Functions and Behavior Decision Making Inhibition Problem Solving Set Shifting Intelligence Verbal Fluency Language Verbal Memory Spatial Memory Working Memory Visuospatial Perception/Construction Processing Speed Balance Social Cognition Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Function Collateral Information Adaptive Function Pediatric Neuropsychology Geriatric Neuropsychology Neurodevelopment Acquired Brain Injury Dementia Performance Validity Symptom Validity Culturally Responsive Care |
| Research Design | Study Design Clinical Research Making Figures/Tables Scientific Writing Data Collection Safety Replication in Science |
| Data Collection | Consent Process MR Safety QC During Scans |
| Neuroimaging Processing | Basic MR Physics MR Modalities T1 MRI dMRI fMRI rsfMRI MRS Image QC FSL FreeSurfer SPM AFNI fMRIPrep MRItrix DSI Studio ExploreDTI Other Toolboxes TMS and Ultrasound Publicly Available Datasets |
| Careers in Science | Neuroscience PhD Psychology PhD Medical School Opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree |
| Ethics | Authorship CITI Training Neuroethics Mentorship Ethics |
Content Access
All videos are available on the ENIGMA-U YouTube page. Additional content will continue to be added here. English captions that have been reviewed and edited by our group are available, and we are working on validating translations into other languages.
How Do I Sign Up?
Simply complete this online enrollment form!
You need to use the email associated with your Google account to access the course. If you use a different email address you will not be able to access the course. Be sure to check your spam or junk folders for the invitation email.
Please reach out to Dr. Emily Dennis, Course Director, with questions: emily.dennis@hsc.utah.edu
Join other students from around the world who have already signed up!
