The cognition and neuroscience PhD program offers a distinctive blend of research initiatives and doctoral study in the neural processes underlying sensation, perception, memory, learning, language, and executive function throughout the lifespan. Students may focus on perception and memory for complex information patterns such as faces, speech, language, music, and text, or reasoning and decision-making processes in conditions such as brain damage and addiction. Another area of strength is cellular and molecular neuroplasticity — in typical learning and memory as well as in chronic pain and other atypical conditions. Finally, the program has unique strengths in artificial neural networks and neuro-engineering.

Additionally, the school has four centers that focus on a unique aspect of neuroscience research. The centers are the Center for Brain Health, the Center for Vital Longevity, the Texas Biomedical Device Center, and the Center for Advanced Pain Studies.