Doctor of Philosophy in Brain and Cognitive Sciences Fields

Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences

Program Requirements

Required Subjects 1
9.401Tools for Robust Science12
9.901Responsible Conduct in Science2
Foundational Core 112-18
Select one of the following subjects:
Systems Neuroscience Core I
Cognitive Science
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Core I
Quantitative Core 112
Select one of the following subjects:
Quantitative Methods and Computational Models in Neurosciences
Statistics for Neuroscience Research
Topics in Neural Signal Processing
Statistical Learning Theory and Applications
Mathematical Statistics: a Non-Asymptotic Approach
MatLab, Statistics, Regression, Signal Processing
Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
Electives 1, 224
Select at least two 12-unit graduate-level subjects relevant to student's research.
Research and Thesis 3
9.921Research in Brain and Cognitive Sciences168
9.300BCS PhD Qualifying Exam6
9.941Graduate Thesis Proposal6
9.THGGraduate Thesis36-264
Professional Development 4
9.990Professional Development1
Teaching
9.919Teaching Brain and Cognitive Sciences24
Total Units303-537
1

Students must earn a grade of "B" or higher to satisfy the course requirement.

2

Students are encouraged to ask for advice from their advisor. All 12-unit BCS graduate subjects (excluding the Core Subjects) are approved electives. In some cases, students may wish to replace a 12-unit subject with two 6-unit subjects; take a subject in any other MIT department; or enroll in a subject outside MIT (e.g., Harvard, BU, etc); these exceptions require advance approval of the BCS graduate officer.

3

Students will register for 9.921 Research in Brain and Cognitive Sciences during each semester of the program, including during summer, until they pass 9.941 Graduate Thesis Proposal in the spring term of their third year. Thereafter, they will register for 9.THG Graduate Thesis. Students must be registered for 9.THG Graduate Thesis during the semester in which they will graduate.

4

Students must participate in two department-approved professional development activities, registering for 9.990 during each term of participation. One credit unit will be awarded only upon completion of two activities. A list of pre-approved professional development activities is available on the BCS website. Students may also petition other professional development activities.