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Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog
Neuroscience, PhD
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Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosohy in Neuroscience
Chairperson: Alfredo Fontanini, Life Sciences Building 573, (631) 632-4100
PhD Administrator: Odalis Hernández, Life Sciences Building 573, 631-632-8078, FAX (631) 632-6661
Program Website
The Graduate Program in Neuroscience, in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Renaissance School of Medicine, offers doctoral training toward a Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree in the rapidly expanding field of neuroscience. Through coursework and independent research, students are trained to approach research problems in neuroscience with a broad perspective. Program faculty have Expertise expertise in the areas of molecular and biochemical control of development,properties physiology and cellular/molecular properties of receptors and ion channels in relation to cellular physiology, analysis of local circuits and networks,behavioral neuroscience the cellular basis of integrative functions, theoretical and computational neuroscience and the structural basis for communication among neurons are available to all students in the program. Graduate students will receive in-depth research training in molecular, biochemical, physiological, behavioral, or anatomical and theoretical/computational neurosciences. In addition, the Program offers unique opportunities to draw from one or more of these disciplines through multidisciplinary, cosponsored/comentored research projects. A program of highly interactive faculty and students provides an exciting focus for research training.communicate Neuroscience research. Students will be exposed to advanced neuroscience research techniques, approaches and theory culminating with the MS degree. Core concepts and skills are taught through a series of required core courses, with the remaining coursework consisting of advanced electives and special topics courses. Expertise in the areas of molecular and biochemical control of development, properties of receptors and ion channels in relation to cellular physiology, the cellular basis of integrative functions, computational neuroscience and the structural basis for communication among neurons are available to all students in the program. Students will receive in-depth research training in molecular, biochemical, physiological, behavioral, computational or anatomical sciences. A program of highly interactive faculty and students provides an exciting focus for research training.
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Admission Requirements
Application Website Application Deadlines Students are expected to fulfill basic requirements of the Graduate School: a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, a grade point average corresponding to B or higher, and the recommendations of three former instructors. In addition, all non-native speakers of English must score a minimum of 600 (paper), 250 (computer) or 100 (iBT) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Program in Neuroscience has the following additional requirements: one year of calculus, physics, and chemistry, demonstrated proficiency in biological sciences, and laboratory research experience. Deficiencies in these requirements do not preclude admission, and special consideration will be made to promising applicants. Applicants do not need to send their official transcripts until they are offered admission into the program. In addition to the minimum requirements of the Graduate School, the following are suggested requirements: A. BS or BA degree in a life science related field, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00. B. Three letters of recommendation. C. Personal statement. * Prerequisites: Successful MS and PhD candidates have often completed college level courses in physics, mathematics, organic and inorganic chemistry and advanced biology. It is recommended that students will have undergraduate neuroscience coursework. However, students are also accepted into the program without all necessary pre-requisites. These students may be asked to take the appropriate preparation course(s) prior to undertaking specific graduate level courses. Thesis Proposal
At the end of the second year of study, each student must successfully propose and defend an outline of their thesis research.. The proposal consists of a written document and an oral presentation. Advancement to Candidacy
The faculty will recommend a student to the Graduate School for advancement to candidacy upon satisfactory completion of all course requirements and passing their thesis proposal. Student Seminars
All students who have advanced to candidacy are required to give a departmental seminar on their dissertation work annually. Ph.D. Dissertation
A dissertation that constitutes an original and significant contribution to the field of neuroscience is required for the Ph.D. The work must be of a quality acceptable for publication in a recognized scientific journal. At the end of the first year, students initiate a dissertation research program in a Program faculty’s laboratory. After advancement to candidacy, the student and advisor will assemble an advisory committee to guide the dissertation research. Upon completion of the dissertation research, the student will present a seminar based on the dissertation. Following this the student will be given an oral examination on the dissertation research and related areas by the dissertation committee. Teaching Requirements
To gain experience in teaching, the Program requires that all students serve as teaching assistants for two semesters during the first two years of study. Students who enter the program from the medical school’s MSTP program are required to serve as TA’s for one semester. Usually, TA assignments are to courses taught by Program faculty. Assignments are made to minimize impact on research productivity in the second year of study. Residence Requirement
The University requires at least two consecutive semesters of full-time study. The demands of the course of study necessitate a longer period of residence. Academic Standing
All students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average at all times. Due to the importance of NEU 531, NEU 532, BNB 562 (or NEU 531 and NEU 532), BNB 563, and BNB 564 as the basis for advanced study in Neuroscience, students who have a grade of less than a B in these courses must remediate or repeat them satisfactorily prior to defending the thesis proposal and advancing to candidacy. Any student who fails to receive a grade of B or better in more than one required course will be reviewed for possible termination from the Program. Research (BNB 599 and BNB 699) is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Any student who receives a grade of U in a research course will be reviewed for possible termination from the Program. |
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