Research Coursework for the Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience begins with the fall term segment of the two-term core course that surveys the principles underlying the structure and function of the nervous system. The course integrates molecular, cellular, and systems approaches, and it covers topics including development, cell biology of neurons, neurotransmitters and synaptic transmission, sensory systems of the brain, the motor system, higher cortical functions, and behavioral and cellular analyses of learning and memory. Additional coursework, organized in collaboration with the Department of Biology, emphasizes the current genetic, molecular, and cellular approaches to biological systems that are necessary to generate advances in neuroscience.
Students take three courses in their major field plus two courses in their minor field.
Lecture courses include Cell Biology, Genetic Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Synaptic Transmission, Neural Plasticity in Learning and Development, Cellular Neurophysiology,, and Dynamic Neural Processing in the Vertebrate Forebrain. Numerous advanced graduate seminars are also available.