Overview
Cornell’s Ph.D. program in Neurobiology and Behavior (NB&B) is unique. Our program integrates the study of neurobiology with behavior at all levels of analysis. Our research approaches the field from the study of ion channels through neural networks all the way to the behavior of animal societies. We draw from faculty in a variety of disciplines including Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Physics, Entomology, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Medicine, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Neurobiology and Behavior.
Training
The background and interests of our graduate students is broad and varied. Because of this diversity, each student’s course of study is tailored to his or her needs and background. In addition to a wide variety of neurobiology and behavior classes, we offer laboratory courses to get the training you need for your thesis project. These labs include neurophysiology, molecular neurobiology, electronics instrumentation, computers in neurobiology, bioacoustics, modeling behavioral evolution, computational neuroscience, animal behavior, and patch clamping.
Academic Environment
We have a weekly seminar series in which internationally renowned scientists are invited to present their research. Following each seminar, graduate students are encouraged to have lunch with the speaker. This provides a great opportunity to meet other scientists from around the world and talk science. Three separate weekly journal clubs are also offered in different focus areas. A cellular and molecular neurobiology journal club emphasizes molecular and genetic approaches to neuroscience, the neuroethology journal club links neural networks and behavior, and lunch bunch examines topics in animal behavior.
Applying
Our graduate program is for academically talented undergraduates with a strong interest in neurobiology and/or behavior. Students admitted into the program are guaranteed 5 years of support in the form of either training grant fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching fellowships. The deadline to apply for Fall 2009 admission is December 1, 2008. To apply, simply click on the Application link above.