College of Medicine

Neuroscience - Graduate

20

graduate students

31

full-time faculty

$7M

in grant & contract support

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The Department of Neuroscience is comprised of a world-class team of scientists and educators who focus their research activities in the dynamic field of Neuroscience, with nearly seven million dollars a year in grant and contract support for biomedical research on the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. Research strengths include the study of spinal cord and brain injury and repair, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, epilepsy, and circadian biology.  Several faculty are affiliated with translational research centers, including the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC), the Sanders Brown Center on Aging (SBCoA), the Center for Microelectrode Technology (CenMeT), the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center (MRISC), the Center for Advanced Translational Stroke Science (CATSS), and the Epilepsy Center (EpiC). 

Doctor of Philosophy

The Department of Neuroscience offers a multidisciplinary graduate program leading to the Ph.D. degree. Combined M.D./Ph.D. programs also are available. An energetic faculty and flexible curriculum are directed toward giving the graduate competitive research and teaching credentials. Research in the Department of Neuroscience is largely oriented toward study of the nervous system. State-of-the-art approaches to the structure and function of neural, neuroendocrine, and reproductive systems represent particular strengths of the department. Prospective students should closely examine the faculty research interests in order to determine whether the program fits their interests. Recent updates of the graduate program are designed to emphasize the development of independent research skills and entry into the research laboratory as soon as possible. Entering graduate students spend the first year in basic coursework of the IBS (Integrated Biomedical Sciences) curriculum and research laboratory rotations. Advanced coursework, teaching experiences, and examinations typically are completed by the end of the second year. Thereafter, the student is primarily engaged in research. An active seminar program and opportunities for student presentations at national and international scientific meetings contribute to a stimulating environment.

Application Requirements for Ph.D. Program

Application Requirements for the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) Program

  1. CV
    • Indicating any academic honors, publications, research experience and relevant work experience (since graduated--for those who have previously graduated from an undergraduate or graduate degree program).
  2. Personal Statement
    • ​Indicate your research interest and goals for doctoral study and beyond.
  3. Every applicant must possess a baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited institution of higher learning.
  4. TOEFL scores (for international applicants)
    • A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL (maximum 667) and a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL (maximum 300) or a minimum score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (maximum 120); all applicants must demonstrate proficiency in verbal and written English.
  5. Three letters of recommendation
    • ​​You will be asked to provide the names and contact information of three faculty members who are familiar with your undergraduate and graduate coursework, research, etc.

No GRE or GMAT is required for admission to this program.

Applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements.
 

Deadlines and Admissions Process
 

​The Integrated Biomedical Sciences program follows a rolling admissions process; therefore, the earlier your application is complete the more likely you will be selected for an interview leading to admission. Below is the admissions timeline:

  •  January 1 - All applications are due. The IBS admissions committee will begin reviewing materials in December, and earlier applications will be given priority. 
    • Applications received after this date may still be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on availability of positions.
  • January to March - On-campus interviews for selected candidates.
  • April 15 - Deadline for candidates to accept offers to the graduate programs.

Students may apply for entry into the IBS program in only the Fall semester. We do not offer admission to IBS in the Spring semester.


Contact

Richard Grondin, PhD

Director of Graduate Studies in Neuroscience

Professor, Department of Neuroscience

College of Medicine

MN 210 Medical Education Bldg

859-323-8925