Cognition, Neuroscience, and Social Psychology

Concentration Overview

CNS Students and Faculty Members

In the CNS Ph.D. concentration, our goal is to educate scientists who will successfully compete for academic and applied positions and contribute meaningful research in their chosen field. We strive to:

  • expose students to a variety of experimental methodologies and analytical techniques
  • train students to apply sound experimental techniques to address basic and applied research problems
  • foster knowledge and appreciation of the cognitive, neural, and social aspects of behavior

The faculty in Cognition, Neuroscience, and Social Psychology provide an intensive and individually tailored Ph.D. program. Beginning in the first year, students choose and then work closely with a faculty advisor to develop a specific research focus based on shared research interests. Students create individually tailored programs to fit their interests and areas of specialization. Students may specialize within a variety of areas, including cognitive science, behavioral neuroscience, and social psychology. Our faculty is congenial and many students have worked with several advisors. For admission application requirements to our Psychology program, please go to our Admissions Requirements page.

The Department and University provide a wide range of research facilities to students. These include the University’s computing services, as well as departmental computers for lab use and word processing. Labs are available for stimulus presentation, image processing and video taping, modeling memory structures, psychophysics, electrophysiological recording, and neuroanatomical and neurochemical work. The University operates child care centers and two elementary schools that are available for research purposes. The University libraries are conveniently located and contain extensive collections of relevant journals and books.

The Ph.D. program usually takes four to six years of dedicated effort. Students are expected to conduct research actively throughout this period. Our Ph.D. Graduate Handbook lays out specific program requirements and other information about our graduate programs (Psychology, M.A. (Along the Way), Psychology, Ph.D.). Over the past 20 years, all students making good progress have been financially supported by means of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships.

Our graduates are competitive - earning jobs in the academic world and in a variety of applied research settings. Our Ph.D.s’ technical abilities and problem-solving skills are well regarded by potential employers.

The University of South Florida and Tampa are great places in which to work. For more information about Tampa, please visit the Visit Tampa Bay and TampaGov sites.