As we enter the twenty-first century, neuroscience, the most challenging of all human frontiers is still in a relatively early stage of exploration. All voluntary and involuntary actions, perceptions, feelings, and thoughts are controlled by the brain and nervous system, yet the most fundamental questions about how these events are accomplished remain to be answered. At present, neuroscientists around the world are investigating an ever-expanding domain of problems, and doing so with enormous energy and excitement. Indeed, the field of neuroscience and behavior has become a powerful intellectual "supermagnet" attracting researchers from virtually every other scientific field, ranging from physics, chemistry, and molecular biology to cognitive psychology and psychiatry. Recent history suggests that the rapid development of innovative techniques will continue to drive an explosive growth in knowledge and interdisciplinary collaborations that will produce myriad opportunities for unraveling the complexities of behavior and mental processes.

The Neuroscience and Behavior (NSB) graduate program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst reflects both the diversity and interdisciplinary focus of research in this exciting field. A broad range of departments and academic colleges are represented by participating faculty members and postdoctoral research fellows. A number of faculty from four nearby colleges (Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and Hampshire College) also have affiliations with the NSB Program, thereby enhancing both the expertise and scholarly resources that are available to the NSB Program and graduate students.

Five broadly defined areas of research and training are represented in the NSB Program. These are (1) Neuroendocrinology, (2) Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, (3) Animal Behavior and Learning (4) Neural and Behavioral Development, and (5) Sensorimotor, Cognitive, and Computational Neuroscience. More information about these research areas may be found under The Program in Neuroscience and Behavior. State-of-the-art facilities are available for neural and behavioral studies at all levels of investigation from molecules to whole organisms. Indeed, many researchers within the NSB Program are carrying out multidisciplinary studies that cut across multiple levels of analysis.

Recognizing that prospective students come to the NSB Program with a broad range of background interests and career goals, substantial flexibility in individual student research and course work is a major feature of graduate training through our program. Core courses are intended to provide a common base of knowledge in contemporary neuroscience and behavior with respect to fundamental concepts in neurobiology, brain function and behavior, and animal behavior and learning. In addition, a broad selection of elective courses enables students to pursue more specific interests in completing their curriculum. In order to gain experience in the design and conduct of research prior to the doctoral comprehensive examination and doctoral dissertation, all NSB students (except for those who enter with a Master's thesis already) carry out a supervised Major Research Project during the first two years of graduate training. The NSB Program also provides a major colloquium series and a noon seminar series, as well as a variety of journal clubs with major participation by graduate students and faculty.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Neuroscience and Behavior graduate program offers a comprehensive, integrated, and flexible graduate training program in a stimulating educational environment located in one of the most beautiful areas of western New England. We welcome the opportunity to provide you with further information about the program via the director's office.

Dr. Nancy G. Forger, Acting Director