Developmental Science

Do you want to study the origins and development of the human mind and brain?

Graduate Students in the Developmental Science (DS) concentration seek to understand the origins and development of the human mind and brain by investigating the ontogenetic and phylogenetic underpinnings of social and cognitive processes, as well as the development and learning that accompany these processes.

Students in Developmental Science study a wide range of populations, including typically-developing children of all ages (infants, preschoolers, school-aged children, adolescents) and adults, as well as atypical populations (for example; autism spectrum disorder and Williams syndrome).

Research

Research within Developmental Science makes use of a variety of methodologies and comparative approaches, including: psychophysics, eye-tracking, standardized testing, EEG, fMRI, and computational modeling; cross-cultural studies; and both behavioral testing and neuroimaging with nonhuman animals (for example: monkeys, dogs, voles).

The presence of a vibrant and active community of researchers, interested in all aspects of developmental science, enables students to construct a highly individualized program of study tailored to their specific interests.

Facilities used by students within Developmental Science include the Emory Child Study Center (CSC) and the Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience (FERN), both housed in PAIS.

They may also work in the Rollins Research Building and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, where the nonhuman animal labs are housed.  Many research labs also test human participants at local schools and museums.