Program Overview
Below is a general overview of the Neuroscience Graduate Program (NGP) for students who enter through the IGPBS program. The structure is similar for students entering through the MSTP. Please refer to the University Academic Catalog for a more detailed overview of the Neuroscience Graduate Program, including degree requirements and academic plans of study.
General timeline:
- Year 1 (Fall-Spring): IGPBS courses, research rotations
- Year 1 (Summer): Join mentor’s lab and NGP, begin research project.
- Year 2 (Fall): Take NEUS 846 (Advanced Neuroscience), NEUS 799 (Seminar), and NEUS 900 (Papers). Form Advisory Committee and hold first meeting by December 31.
- Year 2-3 (Spring – Summer – Fall): Take required and elective Neuroscience courses. Prepare for and take comprehensive exam by December 31. Continue research.
- Years 3.5+: You will likely be done with elective coursework and will focus heavily on research, writing papers, and preparing dissertation.
| Year | Term | Courses | Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fall | IGPBS Lab Rotations | |
| Spring | |||
| Summer | Choose lab Join NGP |
||
| 2 | Fall | NEUS 846 NEUS 799 NEUS 900 |
Dec 31 First Committee Meeting |
| Spring | NEUS 799 NEUS 900 Electives |
Dec 31 Comprehensive Exam |
|
| Summer | ANAT 831 | ||
| 3 | Fall | NEUS 799 NEUS 900 Electives |
|
| Spring | NEUS 799 NEUS 900 |
Committee meeting every 6-9 months | |
| Summer | NEUS 900 | ||
| 4 | Fall | NEUS 799 NEUS 900 |
|
| Spring | NEUS 799 NEUS 900 |
||
| Summer | NEUS 990 | ||
| 5 | Fall | NEUS 799 NEUS 900 |
|
| Spring | NEUS 999 | Defend! | |
| Summer | NEUS 999 |
Enrollment:
- Summer full time = 3 credits
- Fall, Spring full time = 6 credits
These hours may be filled by taking research hours (NEUS990) and/or courses.
Required courses:
- NEUS 799 Seminar (1 hour): Every Fall and Spring semesters unless a specific waiver is granted. Students may waive one semester after completing all graduation requirements outside of their dissertation defense.
- NEUS 900 Scientific Papers in Neuroscience (1 hour): Every Fall and Spring semester unless a specific waiver is granted. Students may waive one semester after completing all graduation requirements outside of their dissertation defense.
- NEUS 846 Advanced Neuroscience (4 hours): taught every Fall semester.
- 2 additional hours of advanced coursework/electives: These can be from NEUS or any other department/program. Generally completed prior to comprehensive exams. Discuss with the Director of the NGP and your mentor on which courses will complement your specific research program.
Advisory Committee:
- Consists of at least 5 members.
- 3 must be from the Neuroscience Graduate Program.
- 1 will be your Mentor
- 1 must be a member of the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Advisory Committee (N-GSAC; Baumbauer, Christianson, Morris, Wilkins, Young).
- 1 must be a full-time, tenure-track faculty member with an appointment outside of your Mentor’s primary departmental and graduate faculty position.
- 3 must be from the Neuroscience Graduate Program.
- Students must hold their first meeting with their Advisory Committee by December 31st of their second year in graduate school. Additional meetings are held every 6-9 months after the Comprehensive Exam.
- Students will also meet with the Director of the N-GSAC twice a year to discuss their progress in the graduate program and to develop an Individualized Development Plan.
Comprehensive exam:
- Administered by your Advisory Committee and chaired by the N-GSAC member.
- Consists of written and oral components.
- Written portion is a 12-15 page NIH-style proposal based on your research and must be approved for the oral examination to proceed.
- Must be taken by December 31 of Year 3.
Seminar requirement:
- Annual seminars in NEUS 799 required.
Teaching requirement:
- Can include didactic, lab-based, or mentoring activities.