A new Neuroscience and Behavior (Ph.D.) has been approved for Academic Catalog year 2025/2026.
Neuroscience is a fast-growing scientific field where research is having an immediate and significant societal impact. The need to understand animal (including human) behavior is likewise increasing, particularly in the face of globalization and our rapidly-changing environment. This graduate degree program (NSB) offers a home to students interested in combining these two interests. The NSB Graduate Program provides an integrative interdisciplinary learning experience in both neuroscience and behavior, ranging from model organisms to humans, that trains professionals in the academic, industry, and clinical communities. The study of the brain requires the integration of a wide diversity of fields including but not limited to biology, biochemistry, physics, psychology, bioinformatics, and bioengineering. Students in NSB approach their studies with a focus on organisms, and apply whatever tools are necessary to answer thematic and specific questions. Studies include:
- Behavioral, Systems, and Cognitive Neuroscience examines the biological basis of cognition, perception, and behaviors in humans and other animals, investigates how neural circuits in the brain form memory, generate thought and language, make decisions, and control behaviors.
- Clinical Neuroscience studies the mechanisms underlying neurologically based communication disorders and approaches to their rehabilitation.
- Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience explores the genes, proteins, signaling pathways, and neural circuits that govern the function, development, and aging of the nervous system (normal and diseased).
Course requirements and more information will be included in the 2025/2026 Academic Catalog, published in March 2025.
Curriculum & Requirements
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: January 15 (priority*); August 1 (final) *Applications completed by Jan. 15 will be given priority consideration for admission and financial support. Applications completed after Jan. 15 will be considered based on openings and funding.
- Spring: October 15 (priority*): December 1 (final) *Applications completed by Oct. 15 will be given priority consideration for admission and financial support. Applications complete after Dec. 1 will be considered based on openings and funding.
- Summer: N/A
- Special: N/A
Application fee: $65
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of recommendation: 3 required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
- Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
- Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
