Neuroscience Curriculum

The Neuroscience curriculum is designed to complement the research interests of our graduate students. After completing the courses required in the fall semester of the first year, each student is required to complete a total of 12 credits of advanced graduate course work, 6 of which are normally completed in the spring of the first year of study.

All students enrolled in the Neuroscience IDP Program are required to take and successfully complete a series of three Neuroscience core courses (Principles in Neuroscience I-III) that are offered each spring semester. First year students interested in the Neuroscience program may choose to complete the required Principles of Neuroscience I-III course series in the Spring of year 01. Alternatively, Neuroscience students may choose to take these courses in the Spring of year 02. While not required, it is strongly recommended that students consider taking the Functional Human Neuroanatomy course (GMS6705). This advanced course is offered every summer. Students interested in taking this course should consider taking it during the summer following their first year of study.

Most students enrolled in the program complete their advanced course work by the end of the second year. However, it is also possible for students to take additional time to complete their coursework.

Students who elect to take Principles I-III in year 01 will be required to complete a minimum of six additional advanced courses starting in year 02 to meet the course requirements of the IDP program. Students who complete Principles I-III in year 02 will be required to take a minimum of three additional advanced courses to meet the course requirements of the IDP program. The Neuroscience program offers five advanced courses annually (shown in orange below) and additional courses biennially. Students may select their elective advanced courses from those offered by any of the IDP programs. In some cases, students may choose to take courses offered by programs outside of the College of Medicine. Each student's selection of courses must be approved by the student's advisory committee and the Neuroscience program director.

Finally, each student is required to participate in the Graduate Research Seminar Series (GMS 7795), Neuroscience Seminar (GMS 7794), and one journal club each fall and spring semester. Students whose research interests center on cellular and molecular studies of the nervous system will have the opportunity to participate in journal clubs that are tailored to their specific educational needs. Students whose research interests are more clinical/human subjects-based or translational in nature will have the opportunity to participate in journal clubs that are tailored to their specific educational needs.

See these links for a detailed listing of fall, spring, and summer advanced courses currently offered by the Neuroscience Program.

TYPICAL PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Courses - required
Courses - offered annually by Neuroscience program

YEAR 1