Students must complete all of the following didactic courses during the first year

CONJ 650 The Practice and Ethics of Science

CONJ 620 Biostatistics (or other relevant statistics course)

BEHN 607 Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience Seminar

BEHN 624 Neurophysiological Basis of Behavior

NEUS 625 Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology

BEHN 640 Behavioral Systems Neuroscience

An additional 9 hours of elective credits are required, but do not need to be completed in the first year.

 New graduate students participate in 2-4 research rotations during their first year. The objective of rotations are to (a) match the interests of the student with available research opportunities and (b) assign faculty who are willing and have the resources needed to serve as the student's faculty mentor after the first year.

During the first year of graduate training, students are expected to obtain experience in the critical evaluation of original research reports. This training is provided in part by the core courses and is typically supplemented by a program of supervised reading with their research advisors.

The preliminary or "reprint" exam serves to set a standard of competency in the critical evaluation of research articles and in oral expression, a standard which students are expected to attain early in their graduate career. In addition, it helps faculty to identify areas of weakness in this skill.  

All students must pass a written qualifying examination to advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. 

The qualifying exam follow the format of a formal NIH-NRSA proposal and including three parts:

1. Written proposal
2. Oral presentation
3. Oral examination.

 

 A written Ph.D. Research Proposal must be submitted by the student and approved by the departmental Dissertation Advisory Committee by the end of the 3rd year.

   

Please note that the above is a brief overview and does not include all detailed program requirements.