Overview of training program
Neuroscience is a broad field that requires multidisciplinary training as well as intensive study of specific concepts and techniques related to each student’s primary research focus. The Neuroscience Graduate Program is designed to provide highly individualized, flexible training that fulfills both these needs.
The Neuroscience Graduate Program is a Ph.D. program only, with a standard completion time of 5 to 5.5 years. There is no Master’s Degree Program. The following is a general overview of the training program. For detailed policies, see For Current Students.
Laboratory Rotations
During Year 1, each student spends three 10-week periods performing research projects in different faculty laboratories. The choice of laboratories is based on student preference. The goal is to expose students to different techniques and approaches in neuroscience and to provide training in experimental design, critical analysis of data, and presentation of research findings. Performance in rotations is evaluated and graded. Rotations also allow students to identify the laboratory in which their thesis research will be performed. Students formally present results from the laboratory rotations in a dedicated course designed to instruct students in clear, effective presentation of scientific findings.
Coursework
The program has highly flexible course requirements. These are designed to provide students with sufficiently broad training to be conversant in all areas of neuroscience, while allowing focus in the area of primary research interest.
During the first two years of the program, each student is required to take 3 courses chosen from three broad areas: (A) Cellular, Molecular & Developmental Neuroscience; (B) Systems and Computational Neuroscience; and (C) Cognition, Brain and Behavior. Each student consults with faculty advisers to determine the most appropriate individual courses within these areas. See the Detailed Course Listing for more information.
Students also take 2 additional graduate-level seminar and/or lecture courses over the course of their training, typically in Years 3 and 4. These courses are specifically related to the student’s primary research interests, and can be chosen from all relevant graduate-level classes in any department (e.g. Molecular & Cell Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Statistics, Integrative Biology). During Year 4, students present their thesis work in a Journal Club course. Students are also encouraged to take an Ethics in Research course.
For additional details, see the Detailed Course Listing.
Training in Teaching
Effective teaching is a critical skill required in most academic and research careers. Students are required to serve as Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs; equivalent to Teaching Assistants) for two semesters. GSI teaching occurs during Years 2 and 3, and provides supervised teaching experience in laboratory and discussion settings. Teaching is evaluated, and outstanding teaching is rewarded with annual Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Awards.
Qualifying Examination
Students complete an Oral Qualifying Exam during the Spring semester of Year 2. This exam is structured around two written proposals – one in the student’s proposed area of thesis research, and the other in an area of neuroscience outside the thesis topic. During the exam, a faculty committee tests the student’s knowledge of these areas and general neuroscience. Students must demonstrate the ability to recognize important research problems, propose relevant experimental approaches, and display comprehensive knowledge of relevant subjects. Students must pass the qualifying examination before advancing to doctoral candidacy.
Thesis Research
Thesis research begins after the completion of rotations in Spring or Summer of Year 1. During Year 2, students conduct thesis research while completing required coursework and GSI teaching. Years 3 to 5 are spent primarily on thesis research. Progress on thesis research is evaluated by the student, the thesis adviser, and a Thesis Committee of three additional faculty members. Thesis research is expected to lead to publication in top-ranked, refereed scientific journals. Students are strongly encouraged to present posters and speak at scientific meetings and conferences. During Year 4, they make a formal presentation of their research progress to their peers. Completion of thesis research is determined by the Thesis Committee. While there is no formal thesis defense, students present a formal thesis seminar to the neuroscience community in their last semester of candidacy.
Other Program Activities
During training, students are expected to participate in a range of activities to increase their exposure to neuroscience research within and outside their specialty areas. These include the annual Neuroscience Retreat, the Neuroscience Seminar Series, as well as other affiliated seminar series and lectures. Students also participate in journal clubs, lab meetings, and multi-laboratory special interest group meetings focused on specific scientific topics. See Program Activities for a comprehensive list.
Financial Support
All admitted students receive full financial support, including payment of tuition and fees, and direct financial support (set at $27,000 for the 2009-2010 year) during the period of enrollment in the program, providing that good academic standing is maintained.