The Neuroscience Curriculum

Graduate students who specialize in neuroscience will acquire a broad background in the concepts and techniques of neuroscience as well as a foundation in the development of the nervous system through an integrated program of advanced course-work, laboratory research, and seminar and journal club attendance. The graduate program in neuroscience is designed to provide students with a strong academic background, state-of-the-art experimental approaches, and the analytical skills necessary to conduct independent research. A typical neuroscience graduate student's curriculum might be as follows:

* Three advanced topics courses are required for Neuroscience students, of which one must Introduction to Neuroscience (NE700). The offerings for advanced courses vary based on faculty availability and student demand. Most advanced topics courses are offered every other year.

Journal club (NE 800) is mandatory for Neuroscience students in their second year, and is encouraged for first-year and senior students.

Other notes (General GSBS curriculum notes):

• Students are encouraged to start with a rotation in June of the first year.
• Scientific Writing and Ethics are required of all students.
• Two rotations in different laboratories are mandatory. Subsequent research can be either in the form of additional research rotations, pre-qualifying research or thesis research, depending on the student's year in the program.
• Students are required to select a Program and Thesis Advisor at the beginning of the Second year. 
• Students must pass the qualifying exam before the beginning of year 3.
• Descriptions of the qualifying exam procedure for each program are available at http://inside.umassmed.edu/gsbs/requirements/ 
• GSBS Requires a minimum of 55 credits of thesis research for completion of the PhD.

Content updated 01 July, 2005; D.R. Weaver