Curriculum:
First year, fall semester:
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOC 503, 5 credits)
Mammalian Physiology (PHIS 501, 5 credits)
Seminar (NEUS 690, 1 credit)
Laboratory Rotations (NEUS 697, 4 credits)
First year, spring semester:
Neuroanatomy (ANAT 610, 5 credits)
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOC 504, 5 credits)
Seminar (NEUS 690, 1 credit)
Laboratory Rotations (NEUS 697, 4 credits)
Summer following the first year:
Work in the research laboratory of their chosen thesis advisor.
Directed Research (6 credits)
Second year, fall semester:
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (ANAT 509, 4 credits)
Scientific Integrity (MICR 510, 1 credit)
Seminar (1 credit)
Directed Research (variable credits)
Elective
Second year, spring semester:
Techniques in Neuroscience and Cell Biology (ANAT 615, 2 credits)
Scientific Writing and Grantsmanship (ANAT 620, 2 credits)
Seminar (1 credit)
Directed Research (variable credits)
Elective
Summer following Second Year:
During the summer following the second year the student will take the written and oral comprehensive exams. Students also register for Directed Research (6 credits) and work in the research laboratory their chosen thesis advisor.
Written Comprehensive:
The written exam consists of two parts. Part one is an open book written exam which is designed to: 1) assess the student's ability to integrate course material and 2) demonstrate critical thinking and evaluation of the literature in the basic health sciences related to student's area of research. Part one is based on a question provided to the student by their Advisor and Graduate Advisory Committee. The answer should be 25-35 pages in length and must represent the student’s unaided work. The answer is graded as pass or fail. Part one of this exam must be completed by June 30th of the second year. For part two, the student will prepare an NIH-style grant proposal based on their research plan.
Oral Comprehensive:
After successful completion of both parts of the Written Comprehensive Exam, the student's graduate advisor committee will administer the Oral Comprehensive Examination which entails an oral defense of the student's grant proposal as well as the topics covered in part one of the Written Comprehensive. The Oral Comprehensive Exam covers (1) course work (anatomy and other basic health sciences) related to the student's proposed research, (2) the literature cited in or related to the proposal, and (3) the hypotheses, research techniques and procedures presented in the proposal. Successful completion of the Oral Comprehensive Exam advances the student to candidacy for the Doctoral degree. The Oral Comprehensive Exam must be completed by December 1st of the third year.
Students must achieve a grade of B or better in all courses, otherwise they will be required to re-take that course. Student must maintain a 3.0 overall cumulative grade point average to continue in the doctoral program.
Third academic year and beyond
There is no expectation of the time required to complete the doctoral degree. Beginning with the Spring semester of the third year in the graduate program the student will devote their full time to conducting their research in the laboratory of the advisor. Students are also required to register for 14 units of Directed Research (ANAT 697) and one unit of Seminar. During the summer, students register for six credits of Directed Research only.
At the appropriate time in their research, the student will prepare a dissertation and schedule a Final Oral Defense of the thesis. The Final Oral Examination (defense of the dissertation) will be limited to the subject of the candidate's dissertation and related basic science.
Electives:
Students are required to enroll in two electives. Possible electives include:
Fall semester electives:
Histology (ANAT 611, 5 credits)
Developmental Neuroscience (ANAT 617, 3 credits)
Synaptic Organization of the Brain (ANAT 691, 3 credits)
Statistical Methods (BIOS 543, 3 credits)
Immunobiology (MICR 505, 3 credits)
Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetics (MICR 507, 2 credits)
Spring semester electives
Cell Physiology (PHIS 604, 4 credits)
Ion Channels in Membranes (PHIS 620, 3 credits)
Neurochemical Pharmacology (PHTX 632, 3 credits)
Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology (PHTX 536)
