Program Overview
The Graduate Program in Behavioral Neuroscience at Rutgers University is an internationally recognized program that emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach to the analysis of the biological determinants of behavior. The faculty has a record of research productivity and extramural support which provides an exceptionally strong research oriented environment. The goal of the program is to prepare students to be at the forefront of research in behavioral neuroscience by providing a broad background of training in contemporary neurobiology and the traditional disciplines of behavioral sciences.
The laboratories and offices of the core Behavioral Neuroscience faculty are housed in the Psychology Building on the Busch Science Campus. Our animal research facilities were explicitly designed to provide optimal support for behavioral neuroscience research involving rodent and avian species. Associate faculty are located on Busch Campus in the Medical School, the Center for Alcohol Studies, and the Nelson Biology Laboratories. Many of our core faculty actively collaborate with members of the Dept. of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, the Dept. of Toxicology, Dept. of Pharmacology, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Students become involved in research during their first semester and complete a basic core of required and elective courses in Behavioral Neuroscience during their first two years. The breadth of faculty interests and expertise permits students to create a program of study tailored to their particular interests.
Neurons
The research programs of individual faculty emphasize the analysis of behavior from psychological, pharmacological, neurophysiological, endocrinological, immunological, developmental and ecological perspectives. Specific research interests of Behavioral Neuroscience faculty include the neural substrates of learning and memory, the neurobiological determinants of drug addiction, psychoneuroimmunology, and the psychopharmacology of nervous system disorders including Parkinson's disease and autism.
Graduate Programs
Behavioral Neuroscience
Core Faculty
Gallistel,
Charles R.
Kusnecov,
Alexander
Matzel, Louis
McGann, John
Otto, Timothy
Rovee-Collier, Carolyn
Shors, Tracey J.
Stern, Judith M.
Tomie, Arthur
Vicario, David S.
Wagner, George
West, Mark
Emeritus Faculty
Course of Study
Candidacy for the doctorate is granted following the successful completion of course requirements, and the qualifying examinations the area has established a time-line for meeting each of these phases of graduate training: Briefly, students must finish a Masters thesis by the end of their fifth semester, pass a Qualifying Exam by the end of their seventh semester, and defend their dissertation research in year 4 or 5. Course work includes statistics and research methods, core courses in both behavioral neuroscience and conditioning and learning, and small seminars based on areas of faculty expertise. In addition to the core curriculum, students are encouraged to take courses in related areas such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Ecology, Nutrition, Neuroscience, Physiology, Endocrinology and Pharmacology. It is expected that students will be actively involved in research throughout these years.
Application and Selection Procedures
Only those individuals willing to work full-time toward the doctorate degree are encouraged to apply. For full consideration, applications should be received no later than January 1. Applications submitted after that time may be considered. Students are selected on the basis of the following criteria:
- Potential for becoming excellent researchers and scholars.
- Fit of interest between applicant and available faculty advisors.
Graduate
Application Statistics: Average over last 5 years |
|
Number of Applicants |
58 |
Number Accepted |
7 |
Incoming Class Size |
4 |
Average GRE (Verbal + Quant) |
1240 |
Average GPA |
3.55 |
Please note that these are averages. Individuals are often admitted with stronger or weaker GPAs and GREs. A strong record and background in research may compensate, to some degree, for lower GREs or a lower GPA. All newly admitted students have received funding in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships.
We encourage women and minorities to apply.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Tim Otto, Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroscience Area Coordinator.