The completely re-vamped curriculum for Neuroscience students is based on a modular system, that incorporates a series of Neurobiology Basics modules (PHPH752), plus more advanced and integrated Neurobiology of Disease modules (PHPH753). Each modules covers specific Neurobiology topics over a 5 week time period, meeting for 5 hours each week.  Students can also fulfill their academic requirements by taking a mixture of Neuroscience track modules (and see below) and the Cell & Molecular Biology Track  Core courses or a total of at least 9-10 credit hours. The curriculum is designed to give students an integrated background in neuroscience that includes a strong foundation in cellular and molecular principles but with a clear focus on integrating these principles into understanding physiological and behavioral endpoints.  This should allow our students to pursue research projects spanning from molecular neuroscience to behavior. Students are also required to regularly attend student and speaker presentations that form the basis of the Biomedical Seminar course, as well as participate in at least four semesters in the Neuroscience Seminar Course.  The latter course focuses on developing skills in reading scientific literature, grant writing, peer review, ethical considerations, and presentation. 

During the first year students are expected to complete two -three research rotations (rotations form), and select a mentor and advisory committee by the conclusion of their first year in  program (mentor selection form). Admission to candidacy occurs after the first year and is based on successful completion (B or better grades) in coursework, plus submission of a summary of a research project completed during their first year rotation(s). If student obtains a C in coursework, candidate is required to complete additional exam work demonstrating sufficient remediation of deficiencies.  Based on the completion of research rotations, admission to candidacy, and mentor selection during the first year, student is expected to assemble a committee for developing the rest of their program of study (committee selection form). The committee usually consists of 3 members of the Neuroscience Focus Group, plus a member from another focus group in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, a member from outside the School of Medicine. Coursework is completed predominantly during the first two years of the program,  at which time students are expected to complete their comprehensive exam. This is generally done during the late spring or summer of the second year.  For the comprehensive exam, students select a topic distinct from their research project, prepare  a small NIH-style grant proposal on the topic, and orally defend the proposal (comprehensive exam form).  During the next year student begins developing a proposal for their dissertation research, with the help of their mentor and their committee (dissertation proposal form). 

Click here for descriptions of Neuroscience focus group courses (PHPH designator)

Year 1
Fall Year 1  FALL 2006 PHPH courses & Modules		Spring Year 1
PHPH 750: Fundamental Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology (interim substitute for PHPH 752 A & D modules)	4	PHPH 752G--Neuroscience Basics Module: Molecular Neurobiology	2
PHPH752B Neuroscience Basics Module: Neurochemistry-Fundamental concepts Schedule for Fall 2006	2	PHPH753A or B: Stress, Anxiety Disorders & Amygdala OR Stress, Depression & the Hippocampus	2
PHPH 752C Neuroscience Basics Module: Neurochemistry-Advanced concepts Schedule for Fall 2006	2	PHPH753F: Epilepsy	2
PHPH 752E: Neuroscience Basics Module: Physiology for neurobiologists Schedule for Fall 2006	2	PHPH 742: Neuroscience seminar 2: Scientific writing	1
PHPH 742: Neuroscience seminar 1: Reading papers	1	BMSC 801: Biomedical Seminar	2
BMSC 801: Biomedical Seminar	2	PHPH 780: Research Rotation in PPN	3
BMSC 700 Interdisciplinary Lab	1