Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD

Overview

Graduate student already enrolled in a CU Boulder PhD program specified below can earn a Triple PhD with Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and their home department degree. Earning such a degree can significantly enhance a student’s academic knowledge, career choices, and marketability. 

ATLAS Institute; Architecture and Planning; Computer Science; Information Science; Integrative Physiology; Linguistics; Philosophy; Psychology and Neuroscience; School of Education; Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences. Students enrolled in graduate programs from other departments may request approval to participate.

Applying for Admission

Step 1

Be admitted to a CU Boulder graduate program in one of the following departments/units:

ATLAS InstituteLinguistics
Architecture and PlanningPhilosophy
Computer SciencePsychology and Neuroscience
Information ScienceSchool of Education
Integrative PhysiologySpeech, Language, Hearing Sciences

Students enrolled in graduate programs from other departments may request approval to participate. 

For more information on becoming a University of Colorado graduate student contact the department you are interested in directly.

Step 2Be in good academic standing, a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Step 3

Apply for the Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD Program by submitting the following items to ICSPrograms@colorado.edu.

Step 4

Concurrently, apply with the Center for Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (P&N).

Students do not need to be in a P&N degree program to enroll in the Center for Neuroscience.

Step 5

ICS will contact students to confirm acceptance to the program.

Students should confirm with their graduate program advisor, home department, and the Center for Neuroscience to confirm their enrollment in the Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD.

Program Requirements 

Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD completion requires courses in Core cognitive neuroscience, elective cognitive neuroscience in two categories: Depth and Related Disciplinary Specialization, comprehensive exams if applicable, and an interdisciplinary thesis.

The Triple PhD includes a focused set of courses from the neuroscience program in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience to meet the specific needs of a cognitive neuroscientist.

Required Course Credit Hours

  • A total of 28 to 34 credit hours (credits) to include:
    • 11 to 14 credits of Core Cognitive Neuroscience courses.
    • 6 to 9 credits of Depth courses.
    • 11+ credits of Related Discipline Specialization courses.
    • 30 credits of dissertation research.

*More courses may be required for students pursuing topics outside of the cognitive neuroscience track (core discipline outside of neuroscience) or taking additional core/depth courses.

Course plans and progress are recorded on the Triple PhD Plan of Study / Progress Report /Completion Form

Required Core Courses - 11 to 14 credits

  • Issues and Methods in Cognitive Science (3 credits)
    • Students should complete this course by the end of the second year of their program. By completing this course, students become eligible to apply for travel grants.
  • Topics in Cognitive Science (1 credit), taken twice (2 semesters).
  • Research Applications Seminar (formerly Cognitive Science Practicum) (2 credits).
    • This course should be taken as you prepare your dissertation topic proposal or equivalent.
  • Survey and Integration of Neuroscience I (NRSC 5100 - 2 credits for advanced students, 5 credits for students without advanced preparation).
  • Survey and Integration of Neuroscience II (NRSC 5110 - 3 credits).

Both Depth and Specialization elective courses are chosen from the Triple PhD Approved Course Lists.

  • Students work with their advisors to determine the knowledge and skills needed to reach research goals.
  • Course offerings and availability can change.
    • It is the students' responsibility to investigate the accuracy of what, which, and when courses are being offered.
  • Be aware that one-of-a-kind Seminars not listed, may be needed to complete the Program.
  • Some of the courses from the ICS Graduate Certificate / Combined PhD Course Catalog may be appropriate as an elective. Check with ICSPrograms@colorado.edu to confirm taking a course from this catalog before registering.  

Required Depth Elective Courses - 6 to 9 credits

Required Cognitive Neuroscience Related Disciplinary Specialization Elective Courses - 11+ credits

*Independent Study: If a student needs to replace one required course to satisfy program requirements due to unavoidable scheduling issues, complete and submit the Independent Study Approval Form to ICSPrograms@colorado.edu.

Following Graduate School requirements, most students take and pass a comprehensive exam to advance to doctoral candidacy status.

  • Successful completion (grade of B- or better) of the Survey and Integration of Neuroscience I and II courses fulfills the Neuroscience component of the comprehensive exam.
  • Students must also pass a comprehensive exam in their area of specialization.
    • The format of this specialty comprehensive exam will be determined by the student's advisor and will be appropriate for the advisor's department/program of affiliation, but must also be interdisciplinary in nature to fulfill the Cognitive Science component of the comprehensive exam.

All Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD students complete a doctoral thesis/dissertation with a primary Cognitive Neuroscience focus.

  • The original contributions of the dissertation research will represent state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research of quality suitable for publication in a reputable scientific journal.
  • The student's thesis advisor must be a participating Cognitive Neuroscience faculty member.
  • The student's thesis committee must be comprised of a minimum of five faculty members with graduate faculty appointments.
    • The committee is formed by the student's advisor.
    • The committee is then approved by the  Academic Director of ICS.
  • Students are encouraged to have their doctoral research co-supervised by two faculty members representing different disciplines.
  • At least one supervisor will be an ICS faculty fellow.
  • The doctoral committee will include at least two ICS faculty fellows from outside the home department.
  • In accordance with the rules of the graduate school, students must take at least 30 hours of dissertation research.

Program Completion

Step 1Complete all program-required courses with a minimum grade of B.
Step 2

Submit the following to ICSPrograms@colorado.edu to confirm whether all required courses have been completed.

Step 3If required, pass the Comprehensive Exam in your degree department.
Step 4Notify ICSPrograms@colorado.edu with the expected graduation date.
Step 5Students must have their dissertation committee sign the ICS PhD Dissertation Committee Report format their defense, not before. For virtual defenses send the ICS PhD Dissertation Committee Report form to the committee via DocuSign after the defense.
Step 6

Submit the following to ICSPrograms@colorado.edu.

  • Signed ICS Dissertation Committee form
  • Unofficial Transcript that shows Dissertation Hours
Step 7

The Academic Program Director will review the transcript, Plan of Study / Progress Report Form, and signed ICS Dissertation Committee Form to confirm that the program requirements were met. 

Once approved, ICS will contact the Graduate School to report your program as complete. The Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD will then be added to your diploma and transcript.

For more information on becoming a University of Colorado graduate student prior to applying for the ICS graduate programs, contact the following departments/units directly:

Students enrolled in graduate programs from other departments may request approval to participate.

For more information on the cognitive science courses contact: ICSPrograms@colorado.edu