The Cognitive Neuroscience (CN) Doctoral program in the Department of Psychology provides students with a breadth of knowledge in the general study of the relations between the structure and activity of the brain and its function in generating integrated, adaptive behavioural responses.
Cognitive Neuroscientists are most likely to use methods that focus on the role played by large neuronal systems in the orchestration of behaviour. Such methods could include the analysis of the effects of natural (human) or experimental (animal) lesions, electrophysiological methods for recording the summed activity of large numbers of neurons (evoked potentials, EEG) or imaging methods (PET, functional MRI). The goal of our program is to produce scholars who can take positions as Cognitive Neuroscientists in academic departments, but some of our graduates have obtained interesting positions in non-university settings (hospitals, research institutes, and pharmaceutical companies). Our program has a strong emphasis on individual instruction and on independent study and research.
Research interests of faculty members who participate in the program can be found at the Cognitive Neuroscience website.
Admission
The minimal requirement for admission is a four-year honours bachelor's degree or equivalent in a field that is relevant to the area of cognitive neuroscience (normally psychology, kinesiology, or health studies and gerontology, but other degrees in life sciences could be suitable as well).
Psychology Department Course Requirements
PhD students in Cognitive Neuroscience are required to complete a total of 12 half (0.5 unit) courses. These consist of two research and design courses, six Cognitive Neuroscience-related courses, and four courses outside the area of interest/specialization.
Thesis
It is expected that the MA thesis will be completed within the first two years in the program. The Master's degree will normally be required before studies for the doctorate have begun. Completion of the PhD dissertation typically requires another two or three years.