The academic program leading to the PhD degree provides a broad background in neuroscience and extensive training in the application of modern experimental methods to fundamental problems in neurosciences. The overall goal is to have an integrated program in the neurosciences that will provide students with training over the breadth of neuroscience, including molecular, developmental, cellular, systems, and behavioral neuroscience. Students are free to switch between these curricular pathways in the first two quarters of their course work. Emphasis is place on critical evaluation of original literature and exposure to current experimental methods.
Students begin active research during the first year.
Research opportunities for students encompass many areas of neuroscience. Faculty members are active in the areas of vertebrate and invertebrate neurophysiology, membrane biophysics, neuropharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, molecular neurobiology, neuroanatomy, systems neurobiology and developmental neurobiology. More than 80 faculty members participate in the program.