Progress Toward the Degree

In the first year, students complete one-semester courses in molecular/cellular neuroscience and systems neuroscience. Students also begin their laboratory rotations, typically three, that are approximately two months each in duration. When the rotations are completed, a major professor and an advisory committee of four additional faculty members are chosen. The members of the advisory committee are selected to represent at least three distinct areas of neuroscience. The advisory committee is responsible for supervising all aspects of a student's graduate training, from the selection of courses to the defense of the thesis.

Asst. Professor Mary Halloran doing research on the nervous system of zebra fish. However, a large measure of the responsibility for structuring an individual program of study rests with the student. In concert with the advisory committee, each student decides upon a program of study that will establish competence in basic neuroscience, ensure breadth, and provide a framework for specific research. The student and the committee agree upon course requirements and research directions and then meet regularly to review progress.

At the end of the second year, each student takes a preliminary examination that is evaluated by his or her committee. The examination consists of a thesis proposal and a critical paper in an area of research unrelated to the dissertation topic. Upon completion of the preliminary examination, students are required to present their thesis proposal during the Neuroscience Seminar.

Students in the Program are required to teach at least one semester as part of their preparation for the Ph.D. degree. This may involve delivering formal lectures, assisting in a teaching laboratory, or supervising discussion sections. The details regarding fulfillment of this requirement are agreed upon by the student and his or her advisory committee. Students may also participate in the Teaching Fellows in Neuroscience (TFN). These students will participate in activities related to teaching including classwork and a teaching internship.

The average time taken by students in the Program to earn the Ph.D. degree in neuroscience is approximately five years. Of the students who enter the Program, more than 90% complete the requirements for the degree, and nearly all graduates hold positions in basic science or medicine. Program graduates go on to successful careers in academia, industry, medicine or in government. More information on Program graduates can be found in the Alumni Directory.


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Progress Toward the Degree In the first year, students complete one-semester courses in molecular/cellular neuroscience and systems neuroscience. Students also begin their laboratory rotations, typically three, that are approximately two months each in duration. When the rotations are completed, a major professor and an advisory committee of four additional faculty members are chosen. The members of the advisory committee are selected to represent at least three distinct areas of neuroscience. The advisory committee is responsible for supervising all aspects of a student's graduate training, from the selection of courses to the defense of the thesis. However, a large measure of the responsibility for structuring an individual program of study rests with the student. In concert with the advisory committee, each student decides upon a program of study that will establish competence in basic neuroscience, ensure breadth, and provide a framework for specific research. The student and the committee agree upon course requirements and research directions and then meet regularly to review progress. At the end of the second year, each student takes a preliminary examination that is evaluated by his or her committee. The examination consists of a thesis proposal and a critical paper in an area of research unrelated to the dissertation topic. Upon completion of the preliminary examination, students are required to present their thesis proposal during the Neuroscience Seminar. Students in the Program are required to teach at least one semester as part of their preparation for the Ph.D. degree. This may involve delivering formal lectures, assisting in a teaching laboratory, or supervising discussion sections. The details regarding fulfillment of this requirement are agreed upon by the student and his or her advisory committee. Students may also participate in the Teaching Fellows in Neuroscience (TFN). These students will participate in activities related to teaching including classwork and a teaching internship. The average time taken by students in the Program to earn the Ph.D. degree in neuroscience is approximately five years. Of the students who enter the Program, more than 90% complete the requirements for the degree, and nearly all graduates hold positions in basic science or medicine. Program graduates go on to successful careers in academia, industry, medicine or in government. More information on Program graduates can be found in the Alumni Directory.

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