SDN includes faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students from a variety of disciplines who are interested in how humans decide what to do in response to a range of decisions with important personal consequences. How do people make simple choices, such as choosing what to eat from a restaurant menu? How do we learn from trial-and-error behavior to make decisions in the future? How do people decide who might help or harm them? How do emotions such as fear and anxiety work biologically and change behavior? How does the brain process information and control emotions in complex markets like stocks? What factors influence candidate appeal and voting in politics? Research in this area requires training in computational modeling, statistical methods, systems neuroscience, and neural measuring methods such as fMRI, EEG, or single unit recordings, as well as adequate understanding of related methods and results from the social sciences.

Applicants are required to submit the application and supporting materials online prior to the posted deadline. Once the application has been submitted, you will not be able to modify supporting documents, so please proofread your materials thoroughly before submission. To successfully complete the online application process, you must: • Create a free account with CollegeNET to submit the application form online. • Include payment of the application fee or submit a fee waiver request. • Upload a Statement of Purpose. • Request GRE, TOEFL, and/or IELTS test scores to be sent directly to the California Institute of Technology (Institutional Code 4034). • Upload an official electronic copy of your transcripts or online grade reports issued by your college or university. Updated grade reports for terms in progress are not required. Students who have been admitted and plan to attend Caltech will be required to submit an official copy of all transcripts from the Registrar’s Office prior to enrollment. • Register three individuals from whom you will request letters of recommendation. • Upload a CV or Resume.