Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Neuroscience

Neuroscience Coursework: Below are a group of core courses for Neuroscience students that provide a foundation in the neurosciences and data analysis. Introduction to Neuroscience broadly covers many aspects of neuroscience and the research that laid the foundation for our current understandings. This course is taken in the first semester of enrollment in the program. Structure & Function of the Nervous System introduces students in their first year to the basic anatomy and physiology of the human nervous system. Students have the opportunity to view discussed structures in human tissues. Neurophysiology is typically taken by students in their second or third year and explores biophysical concepts underlying signaling in the nervous system. Topics include membrane potentials, ion channel function, and circuit physiology. Neuroscience Seminar The weekly Neuroscience Seminar provides an opportunity for intellectual and social exchange among the students and faculty. The topic and the faculty member directing the Seminar changes each semester. Past topics include neural epigenetics, neuropathies, olfaction, reward processing and neural regeneration. Bio-statistics is taken by all students to support rigorous data analysis and evaluation of results in scientific research articles as well as their own research. The Neuroscience Program is a research-oriented program and students are expected to take a minimum of 2-3 credit hours of research per semester. The remaining coursework is tailored to fit the student. Beyond the foundational courses, the student and faculty advisor identify elective courses that best meet the educational and research needs of the student. Additional courses in cell physiology, neurodegeneration, pathophysiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, electron and confocal microscopy are available to Neuroscience students. Additionally, Neuroscience students attend a weekly Neurophysiology seminar series in which invited speakers give a research presentation and meet with graduate students.