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Graduate Field of Neurobiology & Behavior

A course of study tailored to your needs & background

    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. 

    Ronald Harris-Warrick with specimens from the Wilder Brain Collection

    Ronald Harris-Warrick, professor of neurobiology and behavior (NBB) with specimens from the Wilder Brain Collection.

    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

    Requirements

    Requirements for the Ph.D. degree include:

    • a survey course in neurobiology and behavior
    • annual meetings with the faculty advisory (special) committee
    • one semester of teaching experience
    • Admission to PhD candidacy (A-exam) by end of second, or beginning of third year
    • Research proposal for thesis research to special committee by end of third year
    • successfully complete and defend a thesis research project (B-exam)

    The field has no formal language requirement, but one can be imposed by the student's Special Committee. The field also requires each student to give a publicly announced seminar as part of the dissertation defense.

    The Field of Neurobiology and Behavior does not formally offer a Master’s degree.

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    Cornell CALS faculty, staff and students work across departmental and college lines in order to bring the best and brightest minds to bear on the grand challenges of those times.