An undergraduate concentration in biological sciences, biophysics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, physics, neuroscience and behavior, experimental psychology, or even philosophy and other subjects that help develop critical thinking skills can provide a foundation for Ph.D. training in neuroscience. While preparation at the undergraduate level in biological sciences, chemistry, physics and mathematics can be useful and even essential in many areas of neuroscience, the program recognizes that some outstanding students may have focused their collegiate studies in areas other than the basic sciences. Students interested in molecular and cellular neuroscience may have very different academic backgrounds than those interested in cognitive neuroscience. Aside from the basic coursework mentioned above, other useful courses therefore may include animal behavior, biochemistry, cell biology, cognitive psychology, genetics, statistics, computer programming and modeling, certain areas of engineering, physical chemistry, and, of course, neuroscience. Candidates may fill gaps in their scientific background after admission by taking appropriate courses while in the graduate program.
Application Procedure
Applicants are required to submit a college transcript, the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. One subject section of the GRE in the applicant's undergraduate major is recommended. Foreign applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. The code for both GRE exams and TOEFL is 2619.
Deadline
We ask that we receive your application by December 7th. Although we will evaluate any application received after this date, it is to your advantage to submit your application by the deadline, even if it is not complete at that time.
To apply online, click here
For more information, visit Admissions Online
We encourage you to apply online, where you may pay the application fee of $85 via credit card if desired. Online applications are available on September 18th and due on December 7th.
IMPORTANT: Please use the following address for application materials you plan to mail:
Office of Graduate Affairs
701 West 168th Street
HHSC Room 205
New York, NY 10032
email: GSASatPandS@columbia.edu
For more information please write to the address above or email BiomedicalSciences@columbia.edu
Ms. Cecil Oberbeck, Program CoordinatorProgram in Neurobiology & Behavior
Columbia University
Unit 87, Room 865
1051 Riverside Dr.
New York, NY 10032
Telephone: (212) 543-5265
Fax: (212) 543-5797
email: cao1@columbia.edu
See also: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the Health Sciences Home Page
Columbia University admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, handicap, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. Columbia University is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.