Behavioral Neuroscience and Neuroscience
Ph.D. Concentrations
The concentrations in behavioral neuroscience and neuroscience offer a wide variety of approaches and methods for studying the relationship between the nervous system and behavior.
These concentrations emphasize electrophysiological, genetic, pharmacological, and neurochemical analyses of sensory, motor, motivational, and cognitive processes organized by the forebrain, along with animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Program Overview
UConn graduate students earning a Ph.D. in psychological sciences can choose a concentration in either behavioral neuroscience or neuroscience. Both concentrations are subfields of the behavioral neuroscience program—one of several research divisions in the Department of Psychological Sciences.
Through these concentrations, students learn about a wide variety of techniques and approaches to studying the relationship between the nervous system and behavior. A special emphasis of these programs is on electrophysiological and neurochemical analyses of sensory, motor, motivational, and cognitive processes organized within the mammalian telencephalic forebrain (e.g. neocortex, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and basal ganglia).
Research
Students acquire a broad perspective on behavioral neuroscience through conducting research with faculty. The program encourages interaction among students and faculty from different laboratories. Research opportunities are further augmented by both local and international collaborations between the faculty and colleagues at other research institutions.
Facilities
UConn’s behavioral neuroscience research facility encompasses an entire floor of the Bousfield Psychology Building. Modern research facilities are situated close to each other to promote interactions between laboratories, faculty, and students. The behavioral neuroscience research floor includes state-of-the-art anatomical, electrophysiological, optical imaging, neurochemical, virtual reality testing, and human physiology testing facilities, along with behavioral equipment and an AAALAC accredited animal housing facility.
Financial Aid
Most students admitted into the Ph.D. program receive a graduate assistantship for research or teaching. The assistantship includes a tuition waiver, stipend, and a range of other benefits. Students can also apply for other scholarships, fellowships, and awards based on financial need and academic merit, as well as interdisciplinary graduate training programs.
Admissions
All application materials must be received by February 1.
Applications received by December 1 will be given preferential status for financial support (Departmental and University fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships).
Full Ph.D. Admissions Requirements
Please designate "behavioral neuroscience” or "neuroscience" as your concentration in the online application.
We strongly encourage applicants to review our list of faculty members and reach out to inquire whether they are accepting new students.
Contact Us
For questions about the behavioral neuroscience and neuroscience concentrations, please contact the director:
John Salamone
Professor of Psychological Sciences
John.salamone@uconn.edu