The Department of Neuroscience provides an interdisciplinary atmosphere for study leading to the Ph.D. degree. The training program is designed to combine a broad background in neuroscience with a high degree of specialization in a field of particular interest to the student. Upon entering the program, each student finds a sponsor with whom he or she expects to do research for the thesis. In the first two years, the student is required to take the core courses in biochemistry, cell biology, histology, and neuroscience.
Students begin research in the sponsor's laboratory as soon as possible.
During the second or third year, the student takes an oral qualifying exam. Satisfactory performance on this exam is a requirement for the Ph.D. degree and qualifies the student for a master's degree. The thesis project generally takes two to three years to complete. In addition to regular classes and laboratory work there are weekly seminars given by visiting scientists. These seminars expose the students and the faculty to a broad range of current research problems in neuroscience.