Ph.D. Program
The Ph.D. concentration in Biopsychology prepares students for positions in universities, colleges, or research settings. The program also has strong links with the Krasnow Institute for Cognitive Studies. Areas of specialization include: cognition, substance abuse, learning and memory, including Alzheimer's disease, and neurophysiology. The department has animal facilities with colonies for rats and transgenic mice. Students and faculty have access to the Shared Research Instrumentation Facility (SRIF) at the Prince William campus. SRIF is home to the Center for Biomedical Genomics & Informatics, through which the department has access to state-of-the-art equipment for genetic analysis including a gene-chip-array.
Ph.D. Requirements
Biopsychology Core Requirements (11 hours)
527 Introduction to Neuroanatomy
531 Mammalian Neurobiology ( with required lab )
558 Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory
At least one of the following:
559 Behavioral Neurochemistry
556 Chemistry of the Brain*
592 Biological Bases of Mental Illness and Drug Abuse*
General Core Requirements (6 hours)
Cognitive ( max 3 hours )
701 Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
766 Advanced Topics in Sensation and Perception
768 Advanced Topics in Cognitive Sciences
Developmental ( max 3 hours )
666 Cognitive and Perceptual Development
669 Social and Personality Development
704 Life-Span Development
Social ( max 3 hours )
703 Social Bases of Behavior
667 Behavior in Small Groups and Teams
668 Personality: Theoretical and Empirical Approaches
History and Systems ( max 3 hours )
705 History and Systems in Psychology
Statistics Requirement (8 hours)
611 Advanced Statistics
612 Advanced Statistics
Quantitative Methods and Research Requirements (6 hours)
At least one of the following:
592 Histology and Histochemistry of the Brain
652 Analysis and Variance
754 Psychological Applications of Regression Techniques
755 Statistical Packages for Psychology
756 Multivariate techniques
897 Directed Readings and Research (1 hour / semester for first 3 semesters) and a third-year research project (3 credits of 897); or 6 hours of MA Thesis (798, 799).
Specialized Neuroscience Courses (15 hours)
Courses to be chosen with approval of advisor; possible topics are:
592 Developmental Psychobiology
561 Behavioral Biology of Substance Abuse
592 Chemistry for Psychologists
702 Biological Bases of Human Behavior
BIO 572 Human Genetics
BIO 583 General Biochemistry
CSI 734 Computational Neurobiology
CSI 739 Topics in Bioinformatics
Neuroscience Seminars (2 hours)
591 Professional Seminar in Psychology
998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal ( at least 3 hours )
999 Doctoral Dissertation ( at least 3 hours )
Courses to be chosen with approval of advisor; possible topics are:
502 General Biochemistry
561 Behavioral Biology of Substance Abuse
573 Developmental Genetics (BIOL)
583 General Biochemistry (BIOL)
592 Developmental Psychobiology (Special Topics)
593 General Biochemistry
663/664 Biochemistry (CHEM)
702 Biological Bases of Human Behavior
9 hours may be taken outside the Psychology department, with permission.
Total Hours: 72
* These courses are currently listed as Psyc 592 'special topics' but have been presented to CAS for approval for regular graduate course status.
Admission is competitive. Applicants are expected to have 15 hours of course work in psychology, including a statistics course and an experimental laboratory course in psychology (PSYC 304, 305, or 309 animal learning, cognition, or perception). The following are also required:
- GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and a minimum GPA of 3.25 in undergraduate psychology courses.
- Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years
- Three letters of reference from faculty members (personal references may be submitted; however, will not count towards the required total).
- Departmental Form is required and is enclosed. Please call (703) 993-1342 or download it from our website at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/psychology/.
- Biographical statement describing the applicant's background, experience, and goals in psychology.
- Work experience, publications, or special recommendations may compensate for deficiencies in other qualifications.
Ph.D. applicants who are not admitted to the Ph.D. program will automatically have their applications rolled over into the M.A. applicant pool, and may choose to apply for the Ph.D. program after completing their M.A.
Applications may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and should be completed and returned with the application fee to:
Graduate Admissions Office
College of Arts and Sciences (MS 2D2)
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444
Applicants may also apply online from the Office of Admissions webpage at http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/.
Because space is limited, fulfillment of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to graduate program.
Applications are due January 1 with reviewing and decisions beginning January 1. All materials must be received by January 1 to allow for review of your application. Applications for spring admission are not accepted. Students should plan to take the GRE at least two months prior to this deadline to allow for processing.
