Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

Undergraduate Research Experiences in Neuroscience

Supported by the National Science Foundation (Award # 1156870).

The Brooklyn College Neuroscience REU Program provides students the opportunity to immerse in rich and innovative mentored research experiences in clinical, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. The 15-week program aims to engage students in:

• comprehensive laboratory research,
• scholarly didactics,
• research ethics training, and
• professional research dissemination.

Potential mentored research projects may encompass, but are not limited to, the following topics: neuropharmacology of learned flavor preferences, neural and cognitive underpinnings of memory and language disorders, identification of biological markers for criminal behavior and schizophrenia, scientific nature of creativity, cortical systems that mediate visual perception, mechanisms of associative learning, and the mechanisms underlying steroid-induced neural plasticity and sex differences in brain and behavior. All projects will culminate in a first-authored research poster at Brooklyn College's annual, campus-wide Science Day.

To be eligible to apply, each student must be able to fulfill all of the following requirements by the start of the REU program:

• be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen permanent resident,
• be enrolled as a full-time student at a public college or university in the New York metropolitan area (including SUNY programs and institutions in New Jersey), leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree,
• have completed the following courses: Introductory Psychology; Biological Psychology, Neuropsychology, Neurobiology or Physiological Psychology; and Experimental Psychology or Research Methods (or an equivalent),
• we do not expect applicants who are currently enrolled in a community college to meet all of the course requirements above. However, Introductory Psychology should be completed.
• have at least sophomore standing (i.e., completed 24 college credits),
• have an overall GPA of 3.30 or higher, and
• have at least one semester of undergraduate school remaining before graduation after the current semester (eligible applicants should not be a graduating senior),
• be able to arrange a class schedule so that only a maximum of two courses from his or her home institution are taken concurrently with the REU program.  (Special exceptions can be made under extraordinary circumstances.  Please contact us if this is a concern.) 

Although all eligible students are welcome to apply, we especially encourage applications from students who are members of underrepresented groups in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, which include but are not limited to students who:

• are racial/ethnic minorities, first-generation college students, women and veterans, or
• have experienced educational or economic disadvantage or other personal circumstances that may have impeded their transition to the next stage of training toward a science career.

The Neuroscience REU Program selects 12 students each year. Students receive a stipend of $3,100 to support their hours of lab research and to cover travel, project materials, general academic supplies and books. The stipend is not intended to cover housing, as our program is open only to undergraduates currently enrolled in a public college or university in the New York metropolitan area.

Our program seeks talented undergraduate students from diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to take advantage of the opportunity to gain an enhanced understanding of neuroscience and the scientific research process. Mentored research and structured laboratory experiences at the undergraduate level confer many advantages, including improvements in technical, problem-solving, written and presentation skills. In addition, engagement in scholarly didactics, such as attending scientific talks and participating in the discussion of fundamental and timely issues in research, encourages the development of academic and professional confidence. These opportunities for personal and professional growth are essential for fostering and reaching graduate school aspirations, and certainly for paving the road toward successful scientific careers.

We encourage students to consider careers in clinical, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, and we provide a hands-on education on the scientific process, from idea conception to presentation of results, emphasizing key aspects of design, ethics, communication and collaboration that are necessary for success.

The 2015 Neuroscience REU Program dates are January 28, 2015 - May 17, 2015.

The application deadline is October 30, 2014. (We encourage early submissions, as we evaluate applications when received.)

Please download our application (pdf).

In addition to submitting the application, students must mail in the following:

• All official transcripts from all college-level institutions enrolled in to date
• Two academic letters of reference. Please give this form (pdf) to your recommenders.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

All applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by Dec. 1, 2014.

Note

Medical clearance will be required by Brooklyn College if accepted. Visit the immunization requirements page.