The Graduate Program in Neuroscience (PN) offers study leading to a Ph.D. degree. It is one of 19 programs offered through the Graduate College office of Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies.

The philosophy of the PN is to provide students with ample opportunities -- to explore a broad range of topics within neuroscience, to develop creative and critical thinking skills, to acquire technical expertise in the latest neuroscience technologies, and to learn to become articulate communicators -- and to give students the flexibility to design programs that address individual strengths and weaknesses as they take advantage of these opportunities. The goal is to generate neuroscientists who will be competitive in the academic, industrial, and/or government job markets of the coming decades.

The Ph.D. in Neuroscience

Work leading to the Ph.D. in Neuroscience ordinarily requires four to six years. Students must complete a total of 72 semester units of coursework in the major and minor subject areas in order to complete the degree. Students are expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout their graduate training.

Major: 36 units of coursework, combining units from the core curriculum and units from the student's specific area of interest. (Guide to the Neuroscience Curriculum .pdf)

Minor: Coursework as required by the minor department. A minor in one of these areas provides a student with a strong focus from which to pursue research in the interdisciplinary field of neuroscience. Students may choose to minor in fields such as:

Dissertation Units
Units of dissertation credit are taken after successful completion of the comprehensive examinations. Other units come from independent study and research credit.

Teaching Requirement
Students are required to teach for one semester in a course that complements their interests. Additional opportunities for teaching are also available.

Seminars
Through enrollment in NRSC 695b/c, students are required to attend seminars and journal clubs. To gain skill in public speaking, students are required to present at least one research seminar each year.

Program of Study

Year 1

Coursework
During the first year of study, students focus on the fundamental principles of neuroscience while exploring research options. Click here for the Guide to the Neuroscience Curriculum (.pdf).

Research Rotations
First-year students explore research interests and become acquainted with prospective dissertation advisors by working with at least two faculty members on short laboratory projects. These projects allow students the opportunity to explore research techniques and discover new areas of interest. These rotations are listed in the course catalog as "Methods in Neuroscience" (NRSC 700)

• Methods in Neuroscience (NRSC 700; 2-4 units): Rotations normally last for 8-16 weeks, with the goals being determined ahead of time by the student and faculty member and submitted in writing to the CN Program Coordinator. An evaluation form is submitted to the CN Program Coordinator by both the student and the faculty member after the rotation is completed.

During the first year, students are advised by the Graduate Student Advisory and Progress Committee. At the end of the first year, students are expected to select a Major Advisor, who from that point onward provides mentoring, stipend support, as well as research supplies.

Year 2

Coursework
Second-year students continue coursework to complete requirements for the major and minor, while reviewing a broad spectrum of topics in preparation for the comprehensive examinations.

Research
Under the direction of the Major Advisor, second-year students begin the research that will be the foundation of their dissertation.

Dissertation Committee
With the help of the Major Advisor, second-year students select a Dissertation Committee.

Comprehensive Examinations
Upon completion of coursework, and before advancing to Ph.D. candidacy, students must complete both written and oral comprehensive examinations. The written and oral examinations explore the student's comprehensive knowledge of neuroscience in three of the following five areas: molecular and cellular, developmental, systems, behavioral, and medical neuroscience.

Years 3-5

Research
In the third and subsequent years of their program, students focus on the research that will lead to the dissertation. Advanced students are expected to present the results and progress of their research efforts at a seminar or journal club at least once a year.

Dissertation Proposal
Students are expected to prepare a written proposal outlining their proposed dissertation research. Prepared in consultation with the Major Advisor, this document follows the format of an NIH grant proposal. This research plan must be presented to, and accepted by, the Dissertation Committee.

Advancement to Candidacy
After successful completion of the comprehensive examination, but not later than six months prior to the oral defense, students must apply formally to the Graduate College for Ph.D. candidacy.

Oral Defense Examination
The oral defense examination consists of a public presentation of dissertation research and an oral defense of the dissertation before the Dissertation Committee.

Student Handbook
More information about all policies and requirements regarding the Neuroscience Graduate Program can be found in the Student Handbook