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Consortium of Neuroscience Graduate Programs

Research on the brain spans many levels, from molecules to behavior, and touches on many different fields of inquiry. Reflecting this diversity, Duke’s neuroscience community encompasses more than a half dozen different departments and centers, all located in close proximity on a single campus. Graduate students interested in neuroscience may work with faculty mentors by enrolling in one of several different Ph.D. programs depending on their precise interests. The different programs focus on different levels of analysis of the nervous system, ranging from cellular and molecular to systems to cognitive and behavioral approaches. Training is coordinated by the Consortium of Neuroscience Graduate Programs, which is organized by the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), and involves an overlapping set of coursework as well as common social events, colloquia, and retreats open to all students. Neuroscience graduate education at Duke is organized in a flexible fashion designed to train the next generation of neuroscientists at the cutting edge, poised to discover new and exciting aspects of brain function.

If you are currently a graduate student at Duke in the neurosciences (from any department or graduate program) and want to join the Neuroscience Graduate Student sympa list, click here. By joining, you will receive e-mails for relevant events, socials and announcements.

Participating Programs

How to Apply

Applicants are encouraged to view the research profiles of the participating faculty and the academic requirements for each program by following the links above. Contacting prospective mentors can also be a useful way to learn more about the research laboratories and training programs of interest to you. When you apply, select the program that best matches your interests and background. If more than one program matches your interests, you may indicate your wish to be considered by more than one program either in your personal statement or by selecting the “May we consider your application for admission to other appropriate departments or programs if your program of primary interest cannot offer you admission?” option on the application form. All applications are made to Duke Graduate School.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How and when should I contact faculty with whom I am interested in working?

We encourage communication with faculty during the application and interview process. Email is the recommended method for such inquiries.

Why are there two programs in Cognitive Neuroscience? Which one should I choose?

The two programs overlap in content. Both the Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Program (C/CN) and the Cognitive Neuroscience Admitting Program (CNAP) offer training in Cognitive Neuroscience. The Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience program also provides training to students who explore traditional areas of cognitive psychology. In addition, the participating faculty, course requirements, and lab rotations are slightly different. Please view the web sites (C/CN, CNAP) for these two programs to choose the best match. Note that applicants to the C/CN program will be expected to identify their likely advisor(s) during the application/interview process whereas students in the CNAP will do lab rotations before identifying one or more advisors.

Feel free to indicate that you would like your application to be considered by both programs.

What is an admitting program?

An admitting program is an interdepartmental program, meaning that faculty from many different departments participate. Students studying neuroscience through an admitting program, such as the Cognitive Neuroscience Admitting Program (CNAP), conduct multiple lab rotations before eventually joining a thesis lab. In the second year of study, students enter a degree-granting Ph.D. program (e.g. one of the departmental programs listed above) and fulfill the remainder of their academic requirements through that program.

Which programs allow/require lab rotations?

Most programs encourage students to work with more than one faculty member in some fashion during their training. The Cognitive Neuroscience Admitting Program (CNAP), Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) Training Program, Toxicology and Philosophy require participation in lab rotations or graduate seminars as appropriate before identification of a primary advisor. For the Systems and Integrative Neuroscience (SINS) and Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience (C/CN) programs in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, the applicant identifies the primary advisor during the admissions/interview process, and the student begins working with that advisor immediately upon arrival at Duke. A rotation or practicum with another mentor occurs later during the first year of study. The Biomedical Engineering Department also matches students with intended advisors prior to enrollment. In Biology, some students identify the primary advisor prior to enrollment, and some opt to do rotations.

Tell me more about the common course work. What does it consist of?

Students in all programs have access to and may enroll in appropriate courses from any of the training programs. For example, a broad overview of neuroscience is taken by most incoming students at the beginning of their first year. This intensive short course, nicknamed “bootcamp,” introduces students to Duke, to the neuroscience faculty, and to each other. This is usually followed by courses in several different areas of neuroscience, such as Behavioral, Cognitive, Systems, and Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience. Electives in special topics are offered at more advanced stages of training. Courses are offered by the departments of Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology and Neuroscience and the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience as well as others.

How are my odds of admission affected by which program I choose?

Each year, the number of openings and size of the applicant pool varies for each program. Your odds of admission are increased by indicating a willingness to be considered by more than one program (if appropriate to your interests). Contacting a prospective faculty mentor can help you get a better sense of which program might be the best fit.

Sounds great, sign me up! But I have one last concern. Will I be a member of a particular academic department, and if so, which one?

Regardless of the training program, all students become affiliated with a particular academic department during their training. For SINS and C/CN, that department is Psychology and Neuroscience. For Neurobiology, it is Neurobiology. For CNAP, students identify a departmental affiliation at the end of their first year, and then complete the remaining degree requirements in that department. CNAP students have affiliated with Psychology & Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Evolutionary Anthropology, Philosophy, and other departments are possible, as well.

Contact Information

Dr. Jennifer Groh
Faculty Coordinator, Consortium of Neuroscience Graduate Programs, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
Professor, Neurobiology and Psychology & Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience

Tanya Schreiber
Program Assistant, Consortium of Neuroscience Graduate Programs, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences

Questions? Send an e-mail to dibsgrad@duke.edu.

Learn More

Thinking of applying to Duke for Graduate School in the Neurosciences?

For more information about the Consortium of Neuroscience Graduate Programs at Duke:

Send an e-mail to dibsgrad@duke.edu

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