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Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy

Education

Graduate Education Medical Education Academic Honors Program in Medical Neurobiology (M.D.-M.S.) Application to Ph.D. Program Undergraduate Education Department History

PhD Program Requirements

Throughout their graduate training, all students are expected to complete 32 credits each academic year. Students entering the Neurobiology and Anatomy Ph.D. program have two options to choose from. The first option places emphasis on a broad neuroscience training, while the second option offers a curriculum that stresses medical neuroscience, gross anatomy, and histology. Each path offers ample opportunity for electives to fulfill each student's interests. Students entering into their 3rd year (from either option) must complete a one semester teaching requirement as well as a thesis proposal (Qualifying exam Part II). The remainder of the 3rd year and beyond is devoted to completing the thesis research.

Option I

The first option shares a common curriculum with the IGPN Ph.D. program during the first year (see below). Students undecided about which Ph.D. program to enter (NBA vs. IGPN) would use this option. During their first year of graduate school, students take Cellular Neuroscience (ANA/NSC 512) and Integrative and Systems Neuroscience (ANA/NSC 531), along with Ethics in Research (IND 501), Graduate Student Seminar (NSC 503), and Journal Club (NSC 592/ANA521). Three lab rotations (ANA/NSC 590) must also be completed by May 31st. Electives may be taken in each semester of the first year as time permits. In the 2nd year of graduate school students choose either of two Medical School courses: Human Structure and Function (ANA 526) or Mind, Brain and Behavior (ANA 525) during their 3rd semester. Those students choosing HSF will be excused from all other course requirements for the semester. Those choosing MBB will be expected to continue Journal Club (ANA 521) and Student Seminar (ANA 522). Finally, all NBA students must show proficiency in Biostatistics. Electives and/or Research fill the remainder of the credits required. Note: Parentheses indicate course numbers. Some courses are cross-listed as both ANA & NSC.

Year 1: Common NBA/IGPN Neuroscience Curriculum

Fall

Spring

Summer

Year 2: Neurobiology & Anatomy Graduate Program

Fall

Spring

Option II

Students directly entering the NBA Ph.D. program in year one have a 2nd option open to them. This option emphasizes gross anatomy, histology and medical neuroscience in the coursework and may appeal to those wishing to teach in an academic setting in the future. This option allows a student to take both Human Structure and Function (ANA 526) and Mind, Brain and Behavior (ANA525). It is highly recommended that students choosing this potion matriculate July 1 prior to the start of classes in order to complete Lab Rotation 1. Students take HSF (ANA 526) and Ethics in Research (IND 501) in their first semester and are excused from all other requirements. In the second semester students complete Lab Rotations 2 & 3 and take Graduate Student Seminar, Journal Club, and electives. The second year begins by taking Mind, Brain and Behavior (ANA 525), Graduate Student Seminar (ANA 522), Journal Club (ANA 521), PhD Research (ANA 595) and electives. Finally, all NBA students must show proficiency in Biostatistics. Electives and/or Research fill the remainder of the credits required.

Year 1: NBA Curriculum

Summer

Fall

Spring

Year 2:

Fall

Spring

All Students

Year 3 & Beyond

Teaching Requirement: In the fall of Year 3, students choose a teaching assistantship (3 credits) in one of the courses listed below (typically linked to MBB or HSF).

Advanced students in NBA are expected to attend and participate (but are not required to register for credit):

1

Students joining the NBA program must complete a minimum of 20 credits of coursework in year 2, as well as additional credits towards the PhD research. Students taking MBB (ANA 525) should plan on 0-4 elective credits during the fall semester. Those taking HSF (ANA 526) should plan no elective credits during the fall semester.

2

All students must display proficiency in biostatistics. STT 463 Introduction to Biostatistics, BCS 510 Data Analysis, or equivalent may meet this requirement. This is best completed in years 1 or 2, depending upon scheduling. In cases where students have completed statistics coursework previously, they may petition the NBA Graduate Education Committee for a waiver.

Related Details

Qualifying Exam (Part I)

The Part 1 exam determines whether a student is qualified to pursue further studies toward completion of a PhD dissertation. Each student will select a committee of 3 faculty with expertise in the area of their research. Together, they will select at least 50 relevant papers to be read by the student during a ~2 month period. The student will formulate and submit exam questions to the Examination Committee based upon these readings. The Committee will select a subset of these questions, and supplement them with several of its own. For the exam, the student will compose written answers to these questions over a period of several days.

Must be completed no later than August 1st following the 4th semester of graduate studies

Qualifying Exam (Part II): Thesis Proposal

Written (NIH pre-doc application format) as well as oral presentations, and a defense with the Thesis Committee

Must be completed no later than the end of the 5th semester of graduate school.

PhD Dissertation and Defense

After the successful completion of the Part II Qualifying Exam and completion of the thesis research project, students submit a written dissertation of their work for review by the Thesis Committee. Students present their project in a lecture to the community, followed by a closed defense of their research with the Thesis Committee.

Thesis Advisor

Students are expected to select an advisor and laboratory for their PhD dissertation project by the end of October of year 2. The Thesis Advisor must be an appointee in NBA (primary or secondary). Collaborative efforts with faculty outside NBA are encouraged, and co-advisorships are possible with approval by the NBA Graduate Committee.

Thesis Committee

The student and their Thesis Advisor will assemble the committee by the end of year 2. In addition to the Thesis Advisor, three tenure-track faculty must be included, of which two must be NBA faculty and one outside the Department. The Committee will meet at least once per year and provide a written evaluation of the student's progress.

An additional member from outside the University is encouraged to join the Committee for the thesis defense (requires special approval by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies).

MD-PhD Students

Students in the MD-PhD program (entering NBA after 2 years of medical school) complete a modified curriculum, as outlined separately (see Requirements for MD-PhD).