Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition Option

The Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC) offers an interdisciplinary graduate training program in collaboration with the Robotics Institute PhD program and several other affiliated doctoral programs at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. Students accepted to the Robotics Institute PhD program who have an interest in the neural basis of cognition can apply to participate in the CNBC graduate training program. The program trains interdisciplinary scientists interested in understanding how cognitive processes arise from neural mechanisms in the brain. Students combine intensive training in their chosen specialty with broad exposure to other disciplines that touch on neural computation and problems of higher brain function.

The program requires four core courses in the areas of cellular and molecular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and computational neuroscience. Robotics/CNBC students can apply to have these core courses satisfy their Specialized Qualifier requirement. The program also includes a colloquium series, a student-run seminar series, research ethics training, and a variety of optional elective courses. The program’s IGERT training option allows Robotics students to receive hands-on training in areas such as neurophysiological recording or functional brain imaging.

Additional information

For more information, contact Rebecca Clark (rebec@cnbc.cmu.edu, (412) 268-1899).