Program Educational Goals:
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Behavioral Neuroscience is designed to train scientists in the biological foundations of behavior, with research foci including learning and memory, development, neural plasticity, social behavior, and animal models of developmental and affective disorders. The program reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the neurosciences and training involves a wide range of modern neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, neuropharmacological, and behavioral techniques.
By the end of the program, graduates will be able to:
1. Demonstrate broad expertise in domains of psychology and neuroscience and their implications for interdisciplinary research through fluent scientific discussion, writing, and presentation.
2. Think critically and programmatically. Synthesize knowledge into novel scientific insights. Constructively critique scientific theories, hypotheses, experimental procedures, data-analytic approaches, and results. Generate empirically or theoretically grounded hypotheses and experimental designs.
3. Learn and apply the statistical and quantitative methods in service of their own research as well as their ability to critically evaluate research in the literature. This includes descriptive procedures for summarizing data, statistical procedures for performing inferential tests, and development of appropriate data visualizations.
4. Master oral and written communication for a variety of audiences. This includes expert audiences (at conferences, in journal review, grant panels), undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the general public.
5. Plan and use laboratory resources. Effectively implement rigorous experimental designs. Learn technical skills necessary to collect and manage data. Analyze and report outcomes. Mentor and/or manage student assistants, collaborators, or other lab personnel in the service of these goals.
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