Graduate Program, philosophy
Cornell has long had a tradition of interdisciplinary graduate training
because of its system of Graduate Fields.
The Graduate School's unique
organization into fields of study, which groups faculty by common academic
interest regardless of college or department affiliation, ensures that
faculty and students across the university can share ideas and work
together freely and without undue administrative barriers. Additionally,
professors are usually members of more than one field, further increasing
mentorship options for students. In fact, Cornell prides itself on the
generally close and collegial relations within its intellectual
communities - a genuine sense of comraderie among its professors and
students that would be impossible in less intimate cities and campuses.
Graduate research at Cornell, regardless of field, is bound by a common
philosophy of academic freedom and flexibility. Therefore, no
requirements for credits or courses are imposed by the Graduate School.
Our students have the freedom to shape a course of study that cuts across
interrelated field offerings, while working within an academic framework
developed with a Special Committee of faculty advisors chosen by the
student (some fields include a field-appointed member). For this reason,
Cornell is especially well-suited to those with cross-disciplinary
interests. Such academic freedom, however, comes with the responsibility
to think independently, act responsibly, and pursue one's research with
self-directed passion.
Graduate Program, realization
Building upon the strength of the graduate field system, the Program in
Neuroscience seeks to recruit graduate students with interests that
intersect a number of disciplines.
Because of its
cross-linking of diverse disciplines across the campus, several
long-existing graduate fields provide graduate funding for the
Neuroscience community at Cornell. Each of the graduate
fields has its own set of requirements and potential graduate applicants
are urged to investigate the graduate field website
most appropriate for their subdisciplinary interests.
There are many events related to neuroscience which occur at Cornell.
There are a number of graduate student meetings throughout the year.
Seminars in the neurosciences span the range from neurobiology to
cognitive, computational and biophysical because of the many departments
that participate in the program. Each department has an
ongoing seminar series each semester that includes visiting scholars and neuroscientists in the
program. Similarly, courses either entirely or
partially focused on neuroscience enjoy a similar breadth and depth.
|
Please report corrections, questions, comments, and problems to:
Mark V. Albert (mva6 AT cornell.edu)
| |
.jpg)
