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Training Program Overview
Expectations
Interdisciplinary Training Program in Cognitive Science
Expectations of Trainees
According to the grant proposal:
"Our goal is to train students at the boundary between brain and behavior in cognitive science. The role of the training program will be to encourage trainees to master and integrate different approaches in addressing specific research questions. We believe that the major advances in cognitive science will come from researchers who have expertise bridging multiple approaches, and we aim to provide a context for interdisciplinary training."
General characteristics of a trainee’s program must include:
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Each trainee must have a research focus in one of the three topical modules.
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Trainees are expected to participate in research using more than one methodological approach. Sometimes, two or more approaches will occur within a single lab. In other occasions, students will do research in two labs.
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The student’s program must include exposure to at least one of the other topical areas through monthly journal clubs, faculty lab meetings, or other identifiable means.
Typically, the curriculum in the student’s major department will provide one of the four approaches (e.g., a student in Child Development will conduct research with a developmental focus). Typically, a minor or supporting program will provide the second methodological approach.
Advising and mentoring of students include:
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Faculty research advisor from their Ph.D. department.
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Co-advisor in their minor or supporting program. At a minimum the co-advisor will guide the trainee in selection of courses and training opportunities. Often the co-advisor will serve as a research co-advisor.
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Both advisor and co-advisor must be members of the program faculty.
As part of the application to the training program, students will identify a research and academic advisor, and a co-advisor. Students may elect to retain an existing advisor relationship (with someone outside the program), but trainees will be expected to conduct their research under the direction of the research advisor.
Expectations of trainees:
- Attend CCS Colloquia Series (Thursdays; credit granted through CGSC 8410)
- Weekly participation in at least two research meetings (one in your topic area and one outside your topic area)
- Participate in CCS Training Meetings (2 times/month)
- Participate in CCS Fall Retreat
- Present research at Spring Research Day
- Become a full pre-doctoral member of CCS
- Submit progress report annually (end of March): should document your completion of above requirements, as well as research/academic milestones, publications, etc.
Yearly evaluation of student progress includes:
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A brief report of academic progress and accomplishments by the student.
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Updated vita.
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Meeting with the grant PI or another program faculty.
For more details about the Interdisciplinary Training Program in Cognitive Science, please click on the links at the left of this page. Questions may be addressed to Dan Kersten kersten@umn.edu or Ellen Seagren cogsci@umn.edu.