Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology - Comparative-Neurobiology Psychology

Oklahoma State University

The principal aim of graduate training in the comparative-neurobiology psychology track is to develop a strong theoretical understanding and research competence in the study of comparative psychology and/or neurobiology. Graduate students work in a close mentoring relationship with a faculty member in this track. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for productive academic careers.

Comparative description: Comparative psychology is the study of the similarities and differences in the behavior of organisms. Students of comparative psychology are natural scientists explicitly trained in the science of making comparisons and use such training to examine, for instance, phylogenetic, ontogenetic and cross-cultural aspects of behavior. Graduate students with an interest in comparative psychology learn to conduct experiments with a variety of vertebrates and invertebrates including pigeons, rattlesnakes, turtles, honey bees, flatworms, earthworms, and humans in a variety of pure and applied problems. These problems include timing in animals, aversive conditioning, the effect of agrochemicals on behavior, and the role of biogenic amines on learning and memory. In addition, students learn how to build and assess training devices for a variety of organisms and learn to use animals to demonstrate a variety of psychological principles. Students are encouraged to take courses with affiliated faculty in the Department of Zoology and Animal Science.

Neurobiology description: Neurobiology examines the physiological or biological bases for psychological processes. Graduate students with an interest in neurobiology learn to conduct studies using a variety of physiological indicators, including salivary analysis, dietary intake, electoencephalography and electocardiology. Current research by faculty members in the neurobiology track includes work in immune system reactivity, stress response, and nutritional influences on the developing brain. Students who have earned doctoral degrees from Oklahoma State University specializing in neurobiology have chosen academic careers in colleges and universities throughout the United States (e.g., University of California, San Francisco, University of Kansas), have arranged post-doctoral training, or have worked for the government or private industry as research consultants (e.g. Brown University Medical School).