Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Supported by the National Science Foundation (Award # 1757560)
The Brooklyn College Psychology and 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- or part-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 course: Introductory Psychology;
- have at least sophomore standing (i.e., completed 24 college credits);
- have an overall GPA of 3.30 or higher (exceptions can be made);
- have at least one semester of undergraduate school remaining before graduation after the current semester (eligible applicants should not be a graduating senior), and
- 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 (exceptions can be made under extraordinary circumstances).
We encourage all eligible students to apply, especially 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 Psychology and Neuroscience REU Program selects 10 to 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, writing, 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.
Program Dates and Deadlines
Program Dates: The Psychology and Neuroscience REU Program takes place during the spring semester at Brooklyn College (late January through mid-May).
Application Deadline: Applications are due December 1, but early submissions are always welcome. If you experience issues with the application process, contact the REU coordinator via e-mail as soon as possible.
Required Application Materials: Application Form: The application form may be submitted automatically via Google Forms.
Alternatively, applicants may download our application (docx) and e-mail it to the REU coordinator.
Additional Materials: In order for applications to be considered complete, candidates must also provide the following materials:
- All official transcripts from all college-level institutions enrolled in to date (via U.S. mail)
- Two academic letters of reference. Give this form (docx) to your recommenders (via e-mail)
- Résumé/Curriculum Vitae (via email or the Google Form Application, above)
Note
Medical clearance will be required by Brooklyn College if accepted. Visit the immunization requirements page.
