This graduate program includes faculty members from neuroscience, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry,
psychology, and animal sciences. Areas of specialization include
production and analysis of mutant mouse activity; gene action in the
brain; developmental neurobiology; autism; gliogenesis; neurogenesis; spinal cord injury; stem cell
biology; synaptic plasticity; mechanisms and regulatory controls of
learning and memory.
The
program selects students on the basis of their academic records,
Graduate Record Examination scores, references, and research experience. A student must have
an undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of at least a B to be
considered for admission. Prerequisite courses normally include
biology, general and organic chemistry, calculus, and physics.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, but normally are
completed by January 1 for admission to study for the fall semester.
Financial support is provided to highly qualified students. Financial support
typically includes a stipend or salary to cover living expenses and remission of
tuition. Three classes of direct support are available: (1)
fellowships, (2) graduate assistantships provided through research
grants held by individual professors, and (3) teaching assistantships
associated with individual teaching units of the program.
While doctoral requirements vary with the area of specialization, at
least 28 course credits are required, of which 24 must be at the 500
level or above. It is expected that students will become knowledgeable
in neural anatomy, neurophysiology, neural chemistry,
neuropharmacology, neuroendocrinology, neural development, and the
neural bases of behavior. The program has no foreign language
requirement. To meet the residence requirements in the program, a
student must be registered for 24 credits of coursework or research or
some combination of both within one period of 12 consecutive months
during his or her doctoral training.
For more information about joint Ph.D. degrees available in this program, see the Joint Programs section of the catalog.
