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Neuroscience Graduate Program
Prerequisites
While there are no rigid prerequisites for admission to the neuroscience program, the optimal background of entering students would include courses in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and mathematics. Each sub-discipline of neuroscience requires a different degree of preparation in each of these areas, and students with inadequate backgrounds in the basic biological, physical, and behavioral sciences are required to satisfy the deficiency after admission to the program. Prospective students should apply for admission through the Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) Graduate Program.
Requirements for Degree
The program is designed to encourage involvement in research at every stage. In the first year, students choose among the faculty to conduct three laboratory rotations. These rotations serve as the basis for choosing an advisor for the student’s dissertation research towards the end of the first year. The first-year course requirements are designed to provide students with fundamental information for more advanced training. Courses in the first year include a Biomedical Science Program required course entitled “Core Course in Integrative Biosciences” (CCIB), and a broad neuroscience survey course covering Molecular, Cellular and Development neuroscience as well as Anatomy and Physiology. In the second half of the first year, students join one of four directed tracks, determined by their area of dissertation research: Neuroimmunology, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental, Systems & Circuits, or Individual Degree Plan (IDP)-Directed. These tracks will guide which additional modules the students will take in their first year.
During the second year, in addition to beginning their independent research projects, students may take more specialized coursework designed to complement and enhance their own research. Completion of all coursework requirements usually occurs in the second year. At the end of the second year, students are expected to pass the major area paper, advance to candidacy, and continue work on projects that may be a portion of their Ph.D. dissertation. Completion of the requirements for the Ph.D. are contingent on successful presentation and defense of a written dissertation proposal, an oral presentation of dissertation work before the Neuroscience Graduate Program, a written dissertation, and successful defense of the dissertation. The candidate’s dissertation research must constitute an original and significant contribution to the field and is to be fully presented in the candidate’s dissertation. The dissertation work must be of a quality acceptable for publication in a recognized, peer-reviewed scientific journal, and each student must have at least one such publication accepted before the defense of the dissertation.
Throughout their course of study, students participate in a monthly student-coordinated journal club, weekly student seminar and attend the Neuroscience Graduate Program Seminar Series. The Training Program guarantees financial support for all Neuroscience Ph.D. students who remain in good standing throughout their course of study. This support includes payment of a stipend, remission of tuition and fees, and health insurance. Students’ progress through the Program is guided at all times by a committee of faculty advisors and is reviewed annually by the entire Training Program faculty.
The students’ program of courses is developed through close consultation with their faculty advisor and their graduate advisory committee. Attention is placed on flexibility in the program. Each student’s program is tailored to meet individual needs and interests.
There is no foreign language requirement. The Neuroscience website may be consulted for further information.
Requirements for Dual Degree Program
The Neuroscience Graduate Program accepts students in the Medical Science Training Program (dual degree MD and PhD students).
Course Descriptions
BIMS 6000 Core Course In Integrative Biosciences
NESC 8010/8020 Seminar in Neuroscience
NESC 8080 Neuroscience Graduate Student Seminar Series
NESC 7030 Part 1: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology
NESC 7030 Part 2: Anatomy & Physiology
MICR 8202 Integration and Diversification of the Immune System
NESC 7010 Foundations of Neuroimmunology
NESC 7060 Fundamentals of Neuroscience
BIMS 7100 Research Ethics
NESC 7200 Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
NESC 8250 Molecular Basis of Neurological Disease
MICR 8380 Practical Use of Statistics in Biomedical Research
