# Guiding principles and considerations for designing a well-structured curriculum for the brain-computer interface major based on the multidisciplinary nature of brain-computer interface

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a curriculum framework for a brain-computer interface major, emphasizing its multidisciplinary nature and addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in this field.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a curricular framework for the BCI major, emphasizing multidisciplinary principles and addressing gaps in curriculum design.

## Key findings

- The BCI major's emergence is driven by increasing demand in medical and non-medical applications.
- Curriculum design must reflect the multidisciplinary nature of BCI research and development.
- Challenges include lack of consensus, international collaboration, and inadequate teaching materials.

## Abstract

Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a novel human-computer interaction technology, and its rapid development has led to a growing demand for skilled BCI professionals, culminating in the emergence of the BCI major. Despite its significance, there is limited literature addressing the curriculum design for this emerging major. This paper seeks to bridge this gap by proposing and discussing a curricular framework for the BCI major, based on the inherently multidisciplinary nature of BCI research and development. The paper begins by elucidating the primary factors behind the emergence of the BCI major, the increasing demand for both medical and non-medical applications of BCI, and the corresponding need for specialized talent. It then delves into the multidisciplinary nature of BCI research and offers principles for curriculum design to address this nature. Based on these principles, the paper provides detailed suggestions for structuring a BCI curriculum. Finally, it discusses the challenges confronting the development of the BCI major, including the lack of consensus and international collaboration in the construction of the BCI major, as well as the inadequacy or lack of teaching materials. Future work needs to improve the curriculum design of the BCI major from a competency-oriented perspective. It is expected that this paper will provide a reference for the curriculum design and construction of the BCI major.