Brain and Cognitive Sciences

The Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers an interdisciplinary and comprehensive program designed to explore the fundamental mechanisms underlying brain function, cognition, and behavior. This program provides students with a rigorous education that integrates principles from neuroscience, psychology, computer science, and engineering, fostering a deep understanding of how the brain supports perception, learning, memory, decision-making, and consciousness. Through a combination of coursework, laboratory research, and collaborative projects, students gain hands-on experience in experimental techniques such as neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and computational modeling. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, preparing graduates for careers in research, industry, or further academic pursuits. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and are encouraged to engage in innovative projects that address current challenges in understanding brain function and developing treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. The program also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging students to work across fields to solve complex problems related to cognition and brain health. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to contribute to advancing scientific knowledge about the brain, developing new technologies for neural interfaces, and implementing evidence-based approaches to improve mental health and cognitive performance. Whether pursuing research careers or industry roles, students emerge with a multidisciplinary perspective and the skills necessary to lead in the rapidly evolving fields of neuroscience and cognitive science.

Graduate students in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences work with an advisor and advisory committee to develop a plan of study that provides a strong foundation, and allows them to explore specific interests.  

• Graduate students must complete a total of six subjects within the first two years, and may not take these classes pass/fail. 
• Students must earn a grade of A or B in required courses and lectures. 
• The Graduate Committee monitors performance and may issue a warning to students with an unsatisfactory academic record. In serious cases, the Committee may recommend academic probation. If the student does not show significant improvement, they may be asked to leave the program. 

The tabs below outline specific curricular requirements and optional opportunities.

Core courses: Required to take 2 courses from the following list.

• 9.012 Cognitive Science
• 9.011 Systems Neuroscience
• 9.013 Cell and Molecular I
• 9.014 Quantitative Methods & Computational Models
• 9.015 Cell and Molecular II

Other course requirements: 

• Students are required to complete a class in statistics or quantitative methods. Select courses at MIT and Harvard have been approved to meet this requirement. 

Typical course load during the first two years:  

• Core course in systems neuroscience
• Two-term course in cellular and molecular neuroscience
• Required course in quantitative methods
• Three electives
• All required coursework must be completed by the end of the second year.

Teaching experience is an imperative piece of preparing for an academic career. All graduate students are required to complete two terms of teaching, one in the second year and one in the third. To receive their assignment, students must register for 9.919, Teaching Brain and Cognitive Sciences, in the appropriate terms.

First year rotations

During the graduate's first year, a minimum of three laboratory rotations is required. An optional fourth rotation is also available during spring term.

In order to familiarize new students with the research being conducted in the department, during September there will be a series of talks by faculty whose labs are open for rotations. Subsequent to the talks, students will submit their rotation requests using the online rotations database and will receive their assignments prior to the start of the first rotation period.

Rotation period 1 is October 1 to October 31
Rotation period 2 is November 1 to November 30
Rotation period 3 is January 13 to February 13
Rotation period 4 (optional) is February 16 to March 13

By April 30, each student must choose an advisor and notify the Academic Administrator of this choice.

• A brief proposal for each rotation is required, submitted online when starting a rotation.
• A brief summary of each rotation is required, submitted online when completing a rotation.
• Once in a lab, each rotation student will be assigned a graduate student or postdoctoral mentor. Mentors are a valuable resource for rotation students, providing guidance and advice regarding lab practices and policies.
• Students may rotate with faculty outside BCS. Anyone wishing to do a rotation in an outside department is encouraged to contact the outside faculty member directly to discuss the possibility of a rotation.

The written examination

The written exam consists of a grant proposal that follows the format and policies of either the National Institutes of Health (R01) or the National Science Foundation. 

The grant must contain three specific aims, which can be drawn from the student’s area of research, including their potential dissertation project. Unlike a grant, students are not expected to include preliminary data in the preparation and submission of the proposal.

The proposal should be no longer than 12 pages in length and must demonstrate: 

• A command of the background and relevant literature. 
• An ability to articulate new hypotheses. 
• Specific ideas about methods to test those hypotheses. 

Deadline for submission of the written exam is two weeks prior to the oral exam. Students who submit late or inadequate proposals may not complete the program.

Oral examination

The oral exam covers reading lists of all core classes and items added by the student’s Exam Committee. The exam also includes a 30-minute presentation of the grant proposal, and questions from the Committee about the proposal and reading lists.  

The oral exam will be held during the month of October in the third year.  

If the student does not adequately complete the written or oral exams, the Committee will outline a course of action that could include additional work on the grant proposal or additional study of the reading list. The Committee will meet with the student to review progress within three months of the original oral exam date. Students may be given up to two opportunities to the pass the exam.

Requirements

• Online application
• Statement of objectives
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• English proficiency exam scores
• GRE scores

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

• General test required
• Institute code: 3514
• Department code: 0213 or 2002

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Minimum score required: 7
• Electronic scores send to: MIT Graduate Admissions

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• Minimum score required: 90 (iBT) 577 (PBT)
• Institute code: 3514
• Department code: 58

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

• Only allowed for Harvard MD/PhD applicants

Scholarships

The Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences will support all graduate students in good standing for their entire time of study at MIT, regardless of citizenship.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers a comprehensive program in Brain and Cognitive Sciences that provides students with a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the brain and mind. This program combines coursework and research across various fields including neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, linguistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and resources, enabling them to engage in cutting-edge research projects that explore the neural and computational mechanisms underlying cognition, perception, language, learning, and memory. The curriculum is designed to equip students with strong foundational knowledge in biological and behavioral sciences while fostering skills in experimental design, data analysis, and computational modeling. Interdisciplinary collaboration is a key feature, encouraging students to work with faculty experts across different departments and research institutes within MIT. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, industry, healthcare, and technology sectors by emphasizing both theoretical understanding and practical application. Undergraduates can pursue a Bachelor of Science (SB) degree in Brain and Cognitive Sciences, which typically involves a combination of coursework, laboratory rotations, and a thesis project. The program also offers opportunities for graduate study leading to Master's and PhD degrees, emphasizing research independence and innovation. Students are encouraged to participate in seminars, workshops, and internships, enhancing their professional development and networking within the scientific community. Overall, MIT’s Brain and Cognitive Sciences program aims to advance knowledge of how the brain gives rise to the mind and behavior, and to foster the next generation of scientists, engineers, and clinicians dedicated to understanding and treating brain-related conditions.