The goal of the specialization in Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (SCAN) is to prepare students for neuroscience-related careers. Towards that end, students will be required to complete several courses and participate in neuroscience-related research, as described below. Meeting the SCAN requirements automatically meets the Dept's breadth/minor requirement; if the two semesters of SCAN-related research are conducted with someone other than the student's primary advisor, then this Dept-level requirment is also met.
Course Requirements:
The student should complete, by the end of the second year, the following core courses:
Psychology 511 (3 credits). Foundations of Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.
Psychology 5xx (3 credits). Methods of Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (aka SCAN Methods).
Students are also required to participate in at least two SCAN-related topical seminars, one with a strong social/affective neuroscience component (e.g., Psych 571 with Reg Adams) and one with a strong cognitive component (e.g., Psych 525 with Toby Mordkoff). The particular courses to be taken should be approved by the SCAN Coordinator in advance.
Research and comps requirements:
The student must complete two semesters of SCAN-related research, preferably spending at least one semester with someone other than the primary advisor.
A member of the SCAN psychology faculty should be on the student's comprehensive
committee and on the student's dissertation committee.
Other activities:
All students in SCAN are also expected to participate in program seminars,"brainy
bunch," etc.
Application process
Students who wish to participate in SCAN should file an application (available
from the Psychology Graduate Office in 350 Moore or as a downloadable
.pdf file)The application should be approved by the student's advisor
and then submitted to the SCAN Coordinator.