PhD in Psychology - Behavioral Neuroscience in Los Angeles United States | University of California, Los Angeles

Shepherd Ivory Franz, a trailblazer who conducted the first methodical investigations into how brain lesions affect animal learning, served as the inaugural chair of UCLA's Psychology Department. He championed a focus on physiological psychology, a tradition upheld by all subsequent chairs. This dedication was reinforced when the University of California Regents prioritized brain structure and function research at the Los Angeles campus. The subsequent creation of a medical school and the Brain Research Institute positioned UCLA as a global authority in behavioral neurobiology. Today, the university attracts top-tier researchers in this field, with many visiting annually to collaborate and share their work. The Psychology Department both enhances and benefits from this excellence, maintaining its pledge to advance in this domain.

Behavioral neuroscience graduate students are urged to explore the diverse life science courses, labs, and seminars available to them. These opportunities, along with regular talks by visiting scholars, provide insights into historical and contemporary methodologies, keeping students informed about cutting-edge advancements and emerging research directions. While following their coursework, students typically conduct research under faculty guidance or at the Brain Research Institute. This structure allows for broad research exposure, with many students gaining experience across multiple labs during their early graduate years.