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Research and Graduate Education

Curriculum for Neuroscience


Ph.D. Research Training: Overview

Year 1

Integrated Core Curriculum

Year 2

Advanced Work in Chosen Training Program

Research

Teaching

Candidacy Examination

Years 3-5

Dissertation Research

Thesis Defense


During Year 1, all new graduate students in the biomedical sciences graduate programs matriculate in a common interdisciplinary core curriculum. This integrated first year allows students to build competence in key areas of contemporary science, gain exposure to the various training program options, meet potential thesis advisors, and form social connections with each other before having to select an advisor, training program, or research specialization.

Thus, the first year of the Ph.D. program is both undifferentiated and integrated to provide maximum flexibility. This enables students to select a training program that fits their goals. For students who had pre-selected a specific department upon application, this integrated first year gives them the opportunity to change programs at the end of Year 1 without disrupting their academic progress or their stipend support.


In the second semester of Year 1, students who already have clear research or program interests may customize their coursework by selecting from an array of program-specific electives. At the end of Year 1, students can select Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, or one of the other program tracks, for their graduate research training.


Ph.D. training typically takes 4-5 years to complete. Stipend support and tuition waivers are provided for the duration of this training.


MD/PhD

Study in Neuroscience offers a joint M.D./Ph.D. program. These students take the first two years of the medical curriculum, followed typically by three years of research for the Ph.D. degree, before returning to the M.D. program.


Curriculum: Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Training

Element

Y1

Y2

Y3

Y4

Y5

Integrated Core Curriculum

Entrance to Interdisciplinary Neuroscience

Weekly Seminar Series Attendance
and Participation

Journal Club Attendance and Participation

Advanced Required Coursework
and Research

Advanced Elective Coursework

Teaching

Preliminary Examination and Oral Defense

Dissertation Proposal and Oral Defense; Admission to Candidacy

Dissertation Research

Thesis  Preparation and Defense



Interdisciplinary Neuroscience

Graduate Director:

Albert Berrebi, Ph.D.

304-293-7208