Behavioral and Neural Sciences Ph.D. Program

The goal of the Graduate Program in Behavioral and Neural Science (BNS) is to provide both outstanding training across the subdisciplines of neuroscience as well as to provide intensive instruction within one area of focus so that our graduates will be prepared for careers as academicians, educators and research scientists.

The BNS curriculum offers a broad range of courses that provide both breadth and depth. The Program has few required courses so that students may tailor their coursework to support their long-term goals. Students are trained to conduct independent research and to present and discuss their results both orally and in written form. Students also gain experience in both undergraduate and graduate teaching.

Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience
The Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience (CMBN) was founded by the Board of Governors of Rutgers University in 1985 at the request of the Institute of Animal Behavior and the Biological Sciences and Chemistry Departments to establish the Rutgers-Newark campus as the University's Neuroscience Center.

Psychology Departent
The Dept. of Psychology on the Rutgers Newark Campus has a nationally recognized graduate program in the many different disciplines of psychology.

Biology Departent
The Federated Departments of Biological Sciences, a collaboration between Rutgers University-Newark and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Brain Imaging Center

This newly NSF-funded brain imaging facility at Rutgers University is affiliated with the Psychology Department and the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience. RUBIC will enable researchers from three Rutgers campuses as well as those from nearby institutions (e.g., Kessler Foundation, UMDNJ, etc.) to develop new research strategies and increase understanding of brain processes ...

Community &
International Programs

Undergraduate Training

In-Depth Faculty Profiles

  • April Benasich
    Correcting Language Difficulties Before Baby Speaks. 5-10% of children beginning school are estimated to have language-learning impairments, leading to reading, speaking and comprehension problems.
  • György Buzsaki
    Uncovering the Role of Sleep in Memory Formation. To sleep is not only to dream, it's also when the brain gets busy setting the connections for memory formation.
  • Mark Gluck
    The Doorway to Memory and Learning. How do we learn? How is memory formed? And how are they affected by neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's?
  • Bart Krekelberg
    What the Eyes See. It's not always what we perceive, but also what we ignore that allows us to function. In the process of seeing our brain makes a very selective choice about what it reports back to awareness.
  • Joan Morrell
    Uncovering the Neural Circuitry behind Motivation. At the point before we actually do something, whether that be caring for our children, exercising, or abusing drugs or alcohol, there is the motivation to do so. But what guides that motivation?
  • Denis Paré
    Identifying the Cells that Can Break the Fear Cycle. Fear motivates us to avoid danger, but if prolonged can also lead to anxiety disorders and destructive avoidance behaviors.
  • Paula Tallal
    Correcting Language Problems Through Neuroplasticity Similar to a traveler who unknowingly sets out on the wrong route and needs to be redirected, the brain's plasticity can correct language learning problems.
  • James Tepper
    Brain Signaling Patterns: What Goes Wrong in Parkinson's and Other Disorders? In the world of the brain, the basal ganglia are the teachers who hand out the rewards and punishment that allow us to learn from consequences.
  • Laszlo Zaborszky
    Identifying the neural circuitry to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's. Research focuses on providing for early diagnosis to ameliorate memory loss and attention deficit.