Psychological and Brain Sciences | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Breaking barriers in psychological science

Study the science behind behavior and cognition, learning and memory, and personality and emotion. Develop research skills and prepare for success in any walk of life.

Why Iowa?

Iowa has been at the forefront of psychological research and training for a century, and we still lead today. Our students learn about the field in the classroom and laboratory, and out in the community, developing skills that help them stand out among their peers.

Learn More

Undergraduate Programs

Explore emerging discoveries in psychology and neuroscience. Learn the keys to working effectively with people in any career.

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Our research-focused PhD program is led by faculty mentors who are shaping their disciplines. Prepare for your career in a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Graduate Programs

Professor explaining something to students

Faculty

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields. They collaborate across the university and beyond, expanding scientific and educational frontiers and attracting substantial research support and scholarly recognition.

Faculty

Apply to Our Graduate Program

Faculty Job Opportunities

Profiles and Research

The department's commitment to research excellence is matched by a commitment to providing outstanding research and professional training for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.

Read Cheol's story

Research in the News

Professor Mark Blumberg's research exploring the developmental significance of REM sleep is the focus of an article in The New Yorker.

Paras Bassuk named UI’s 23rd Rhodes Scholar

The University of Iowa is uniquely known for being a place where art meets science, where students are encouraged to explore and innovate across these disciplines. Paras Bassuk, UI’s newest Rhodes Scholar, personifies exactly what that means — and more.

Self Driving Cars & Crosswalks

NSF News Video

With an estimated 3.5 million self-driving vehicles expected on America’s roads by next year, University of Iowa researchers are investigating how to make crossing the road safe, especially for children.

CLAS PBS professor receives NIH grant to research how to improve lifeguard training using virtual reality

Cathleen Moore, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, will use the funds from the National Institutes of Health to develop techniques to make pools safer.

CLAS psychology professor awarded two NIH grants totaling $7.3 million

Professor Bruce Bartholow, who joined the University of Iowa over the summer, has two upcoming research projects funded by significant grants from the National Institutes of Health.

News and Announcements

CLAS PBS professor recognized for career-long contributions to our understanding of sleep in early life

Monday, February 24, 2025

For more than two decades, Mark Blumberg, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, has been investigating the development of sleep in human and non-human animals.

Paras Bassuk named UI’s 23rd Rhodes Scholar

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Tranel receives 2024 Distinguished Mentor Award

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

For more than four decades, Dan Tranel, the F. Wendell Miller Professor in Psychology and Brain Sciences, has been instrumental in growing neuroscience at Iowa and beyond. He leads the Iowa Neurological Patient Registry, one of the largest research repositories of its kind and a unique resource used by neuroscientists around the world, and he has nurtured the careers of hundreds of young neuroscientists.

Upcoming Events

There are currently no events to display.

View more events

6

Faculty Elected AAAS Fellows

$11M+

in Annual research Funding

130+

undergraduates doing research in our labs

1500+

Undergraduate majors in psychology and neuroscience

80+

doctoral students in psychology and neuroscience