Cognitive, Brain, and Behavior (CBB) includes behavioral psychology, perception, cognition, and behavioral neuroscience. The CBB curriculum differs from the other areas in several respects. Students are required to take an intensive CBB proseminar in the spring term of the first year. The CBB proseminar replaces the general exam.
Faculty in CBB are Ken Nakayama (head), Mark Baxter, Alfonso Caramazza, Patrick Cavanagh, Marc Hauser, Stephen Kosslyn, Daniel Schacter, and Daniel Simons. CBB faculty are housed mainly on the seventh floor (perception lab), eighth floor (cognition labs), and ninth floor. The animal labs (rats, pigeons, bats, and monkeys) are on the tenth floor.
First two years: The first two years must be in residence at full tuition. Ordinarily, students enroll in 16 half-courses during that time, including the following:
First-year. Under the guidance of a faculty member who serves as mentor, participate in a research project and write a formal research project report on the research progress. By May of first year.
Second-year. Carry out an original research project leading to a written report in the style of a journal article, and a 10-minute oral project presentation. By May of second year.
Additional Requirements. Faculty advisors may require students to take courses that provide them with the skills necessary for specific research areas.
Thesis Prospectus. A written description of the research proposed must be approved by a prospectus committee appointed by the CHD. By May 15 of the third year.
Thesis & oral defense. Must be satisfactorily completed by the end of the fourth year. The oral exam will focus solely on a defense of the dissertation.
Requirements for the M.A. degree: All of the above through the second-year project.