PhD Computation and Neural Systems at California Institute of Technology

Programme overview

Integrated doctoral program covering molecular, cellular and systems biology, cognitive neuroscience, computational biology and neuroscience, information and learning theory, emergent systems and computer science and electrical engineering, with depth in the thesis field.

Faculty: Divisions of Biology and Biological Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science, and the Humanities and Social Sciences | Department: Computation and Neural Systems | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Pasadena, CA, United States

What you will study

Advisory committee of three CNS faculty, breadth requirements, teaching assistantship requirement, candidacy and thesis defense with at least four voting committee members.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in science or engineering related to the option; transcripts from each institution attended, three letters of recommendation, CV and essays; GRE policy is set by each graduate program; English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, PTE Academic, IELTS) expected for applicants whose native language is not English; application fee $100 (waivers available). Admission is once a year with fall-term enrollment; deadlines vary by program from December 1 to January 15. PhD matriculation requires evidence of US work authorization unless alternative support is arranged with the option. Programme-specific: Bachelor of Science or equivalent with a strong quantitative background and some programming facility, and interest in the brain or autonomous intelligent systems; GRE tests are not required and scores are not considered.

USD 68,574 a year (2026-27). Annual graduate tuition rate for all Caltech graduate students (Fall, Winter and Spring terms at $22,858 each); no programme-specific rate; excludes mandatory fees ($2,448). The same page states that PhD financial packages cover tuition and mandatory fees Source

Graduate admission takes place once each year, with enrollment starting in the following fall term.

Graduate applications are accepted between December 1 and January 15 for enrollment the following fall term, with deadlines varying by programme. The application fee is $100, with fee waivers for a limited number of applicants. Applications are submitted online.

Apply through the official page: https://www.gradoffice.caltech.edu/admissions/applyonline

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