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Brain Science Graduate Program



Brown's Brain Science Program (BSP) was formed to tackle one of the greatest mysteries of man: How do our brains work? The Graduate Program of the BSP is designed to provide interdisciplinary training across cognitive, neural, and computational sciences. It emphasizes collaborative theoretical and experimental studies of the brain, from the molecular to the behavioral and cognitive levels. It unites researchers who study the fundamental mechanisms of nervous system function and those who seek to create devices with brain-like functions that can assist people. The faculty is also committed to translating fundamental knowledge into practical applications to the diagnosis and treatment of the devastating effects of disease and trauma of the nervous system. Brown is a leader in brain-related research and offers exceptional training and course work for those interested in pursuing careers in brain science.


The Graduate Program accepts applications from students with American and non-American citizenship and considers the merits of the applicants equally. The general GRE test is required of all applicants. Admission to the BSP in either of the two tracks (see below) is highly competitive. Each applicant is encouraged to identify and contact specific BSP faculty members whose research he/she finds particularly interesting.

Program Structure and Requirements for the Ph.D.


The BSP offers two alternative tracks. In the first and most commonly used track, a student applies to the graduate program of one of the core BSP departments (Applied Mathematics, Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Neuroscience, Physics, Psychology), and includes a statement indicating that he/she is interested in interdisciplinary brain studies. Once a student has been accepted into a home department’s program, he/she will be nominated for membership in the BSP. The BSP Advisory & Training Committee will then review the nomination. If accepted, the student will be eligible for a BSP fellowship, which will partially support the interdisciplinary work carried out in the home department. The training committee may adapt the Ph.D. requirements of the home department to better serve the needs of a student engaged in interdisciplinary research.


The second track, or direct BSP track, makes it possible for a student who wants to earn a Ph.D. in Brain Science to apply directly to the BSP. Such an application will be considered only if the student convincingly argues that his/her background and interests are such that none of the core departments mentioned above would provide a suitable home. A student who was originally accepted in the first track may also elect to apply to the direct track after his/her first or second year of studies. The direct BSP track is designed to ensure that the student will acquire a set of complementary skills necessary to pursue interdisciplinary studies of the brain. Course work as well as research are therefore required to straddle in a significant way the two major components of the BSP: life sciences (cognitive science/neuroscience/psychology) and physical sciences (applied mathematics/computer science/engineering/ physics); this is referred to below as complementarity. The specific requirements for the direct BSP track are as follows.


Core Courses


Eight core courses, approved by the BSP Training Committee, are required. These include:

  • A set of first- and second-year graduate courses that introduce cognitive science, neuroscience and mathematical/computational tools, without assuming an extensive background;
  • Courses in cellular, molecular, and systems neuroscience;
  • One laboratory course in neuroscience or cognitive and linguistic sciences;
  • One advanced course in the Physical Sciences.


Interdisciplinary Courses


Each year, BSP faculty and postdoctoral fellows teach interdisciplinary seminars that traverse departmental boundaries. At least one interdisciplinary seminar course is required in addition to the eight core courses.


Comprehensive Examination


Students must demonstrate primary competency in one of the participating fields (applied mathematics, neuroscience, psychology, engineering, cognitive and linguistic sciences, computer science, or physics) by passing, before the end of the second year of the program, a comprehensive examination. Additionally, they must demonstrate secondary competency in another of these areas, as specified by the BSP training committee, either through course work or by a qualifying examination. The primary area may be in either life sciences or the physical sciences; the secondary area must be in the complementary field.



Doctoral Thesis


All students are required to carry out interdisciplinary research in the brain sciences. Students are strongly encouraged to rotate through different laboratories to gain breadth of research experience. Each student has an individual Training Committee, which helps him/her select the rotations. A formal Research Supervisor and a Thesis Committee must be identified before the end of the second year of the program. The composition of the Thesis Committee must satisfy the principle of complementarity (see above). The student is required to present a written dissertation proposal to his/her Thesis Committee before the end of the sixth semester. Before the end of six years, the student will present a written thesis to the Thesis Committee and program directors, and the thesis will be defended after giving a public lecture on the research. The examiners will include the Thesis and Training Committee members and at least one expert from outside the university.


Teaching


It is the responsibility of the student’s faculty advisor or thesis advisor to arrange for a minimum of two semesters of teaching experience in one or more of the departments that compose the program.

Requirements for the Sc.M.


For an Sc.M. degree, students must complete eight courses, satisfying the principle of complementarity, as agreed upon by the Training Committee. A written thesis with an interdisciplinary topic in brain science must be completed and meet the approval of the Training Committee.