Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology - Behaviour, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience

University of Alberta

Our program uses an apprenticeship model for graduate training and aims to train skilled and independent researchers who will make significant contributions to the discipline of psychology. Our program encourages early, significant, and sustained involvement in research through apprenticeship-style training, mentored by a group of vigorous world-class faculty members. Our graduate alumni have successful positions in universities and colleges, branches of government, and industry.The Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women First Nations, Metis, and Inuit persons members of visible minority groups persons with disabilities persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of our Psychology program.Behavioural Neuroscience - uses animal models to understand brain-behaviour correlates. Examples include the influence of genetics, emotions, and other brain states on general behaviours as well as on learning and memory. Applications of this research include assessing the effectiveness of therapies for people with brain injuries.Systems Neuroscience - explores the dynamic neural mechanisms that correspond to behavioural state (for example sleep versus waking). It also explores how perceptual neural systems represent complex sensory stimuli such as species-specific calls.Cognitive Neuroscience - using experimental techniques, clinical studies of brain-damaged patients, and brain imaging methods, cognitive neuroscientists study the brain's role in higher cognitive functions such as in memory, language access, reasoning, and object recognition.