Courses are designed to allow students ample time to become involved in laboratory rotations. Students begin their first laboratory rotation in the summer prior to the first semester of course work. A student's knowledge of neuroscience is stimulated initially by an introduction to the research activities of the faculty, a neuroscience seminar series, and a journal club that critically evaluates the literature. A series of core courses deals with the basics of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, cellular electrophysiology, cellular and developmental neurobiology, and behavior, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric disorders. These courses are aimed at providing neuroscience graduate students with a foundation for posing meaningful questions in their particular area of interest.
Courses are small and emphasize the reading and critical discussion of primary research articles.
In addition to the core courses, each student selects advanced electives, offered by members of the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience or other departments in the University in his or her area of specialization. Formal course work is typically completed by the end of the second year. Following successful completion of course work and a comprehensive examination, the student chooses a laboratory in which a thesis project will be pursued. Upon completion of the project, a thesis is written and defended. Students are supported by the program and are not required to select a thesis laboratory until the end of their second year of course work, but they may select the thesis lab as early as the end of the first year.