This stage of the program involves independent study, research, and preparation of the dissertation in consultation with the thesis committee. The final requirement is a public seminar based on dissertation research and an oral defense of the work with the members of the committee. Both the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program and the Neurobiology Graduate Program have active seminar series with biweekly seminars by national and international leaders of the neuroscience community. This gives graduate students an opportunity to have their work evaluated by their peers and faculty. In addition, student-directed journal clubs bring graduate students in the Neuroscience Track together to discuss current papers in the field.
Members meet on a biweekly basis and take turns leading the discussions.
Participants choose topics and papers of interest to them. These journal clubs are excellent opportunities to practice presenting papers in a congenial and collegial atmosphere, to keep apprised of neuroscience research, and to maintain contact with fellow students, events, and research within the expansive Yale neuroscience community.