Brain Science

Brown's Brain Science Program (BSP) is a unique interdisciplinary program formed to tackle one of the greatest mysteries of man.

The BSP was designed to promote collaborative theoretical and experimental study of the brain from the molecular to the behavioral and cognitive level. It unites faculty who study the fundamental mechanisms of nervous–system function and those who seek to create devices with brain–like functions that can assist mankind. The faculty are also committed to translating fundamental knowledge for the diagnosis and treatment of the devastating effects of disease and trauma of the nervous system. Brown is a leader in related research and offers exceptional training and coursework for those interested in pursuing careers in brain science.

Brown University provides a unique environment in which to pursue interdisciplinary brain science graduate training. Research at Brown emphasizes collaborative theoretical and experimental studies of the brain, from the molecular to the behavioral and cognitive levels. It unites researchers who study the fundamental mechanisms of nervous system function and those who seek to create devices with brain–like functions that can assist people. The faculty is also committed to translating fundamental knowledge into practical applications to the diagnosis and treatment of the devastating effects of disease and trauma of the nervous system. Brown is a leader in brain–related research and offers exceptional training and course work for those interested in pursuing careers in brain science.

Brown's Robert J. & Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science partners with eight discipline–based graduate programs. Students interested in interdisciplinary brain science training enter through one of these graduate programs.

Carney–affiliated graduate programs include:

• Applied Mathematics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biostatistics
• Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences
• Computer Science
• Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry
• Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology
• Neuroscience

Carney offers a number of opportunities for graduate students in any program to stretch beyond their discipline. Carney Institute lunches are held several times per semester and feature broad seminars and informal discussion led by Brown faculty members. Graduate students can also apply for the Carney Institute graduate student awards. Through its Center for Vision Research, Carney runs an NIH training grant that supports interdisciplinary graduate training in vision research. The Institute also awards several pilot research grants each year, and graduate students are often involved in or initiate applications for these grants.

Please follow the guidelines of the partnering departmental graduate program (see list above).