Graduate students also present seminars on their research. Students are introduced to the research laboratories of the graduate program faculty through an orientation course and completion of three laboratory rotations in the first four terms of the program. After this, students are expected to choose a supervisory professor and to begin work on a research problem, the solution of which will become the dissertation. The research problem can be in any of the subdisciplines of neuroscience and can involve an analysis at any level from the molecular or membrane level to the systems level and behavior. Preparations available range from cell cultures, to brain slices, to intact invertebrates or vertebrates.
Students also receive fringe benefits, including complete health coverage.
The assistantship does not include a waiver of tuition. Students may be asked to apply for individual fellowships.