Duke Graduate School

The Duke Institute for Brain Sciences offers an interdisciplinary program for graduate study in cognitive neuroscience via the Cognitive Neuroscience Admitting Program, which consists of intensive multi-disciplinary coursework and research lab rotations in the first two years, following by a transition into a PhD degree-granting program in years 3-5. Students in the program gain a thorough understanding of the intellectual issues that drive this rapidly growing field, as well as expertise in the major methods for research on higher brain function.  These functions include, but are not limited to, perception, attention, memory, language, emotion, motor control, executive functions, consciousness, and the evolution of mental processes.

Cognitive neuroscience is an interdisciplinary area of research and scholarship.  Thus, the program at Duke explicitly involves collaboration between multiple departments of the Schools of Arts and Science, Engineering, and Medicine.  Students have access to the facilities of all participating entities including MRI scanners located in the Brain Imaging Analysis Center, EEG labs in the Center, and extensive facilities for psychophysical studies in humans and animals.

The program begins with Neuroscience Boot Camp where students make connections with students and faculty throughout the campus studying neuroscience.  Students then engage in an extensive year of course work and laboratory research in cognitive neuroscience that includes three rotations in distinct laboratories.  Professional development seminars are offered on topics such as grant writing, tips for the publication process, and teaching.  Students affiliate with a Ph.D. degree-granting program by December of their second year and receive a formal certificate of graduate study in cognitive neuroscience.