Interdepartmental Concentration in Neuroscience

Apply to Neuroscience

Step 1 - Requirements

Step 2 - Notice of Intent; Personal Statement

Step 3 - Application for Admissions

Step 4 - Application for Appointment; Letters of Recommendation

Office of Admissions and Records

Graduate College

Apply to the Graduate Program in Neuroscience

Print Application Checklist

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Neuroscience welcomes applications from students of all academic backgrounds. As a multidisciplinary program, students have numerous research opportunities in several departments across the campus. Fields of study cluster around three areas of concentration: neural signal transduction and molecular biology; systems and integrative neuroscience; human/ therapeutic neuroscience, cognition and neural imaging.

While applications from individuals representing diverse backgrounds are encouraged, students should realize that the Neuroscience curriculum emphasizes interactions between researchers of varied interest and that a solid foundation in cell biology and biochemistry is essential. To this end, we strongly recommend that students who apply to the Program have a solid foundation in general biology and biochemistry or general chemistry and organic chemistry. Students who do not have this background will be expected to take Biochemistry in addition to the other required courses during their first year of graduate study.

A Master’s of Science Degree in Neuroscience for physician residents in Psychiatry is also available. Admission requirements are simlar to those for the doctoral program; however, applicants must have Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from a nationally accredited program and be accepted as residents in the Psychiatry Residency Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. These master’s candidates will be supported from an NIMH Training Grant that is already in place at UIC that represents a specific initiative by the NIH to support the training of physician/scientists. No other candidates for a terminal Master of Science degree will be considered. Students with terminal master’s degrees do not command any additional advantage in competing for academic positions; entry level research assistant positions usually require no more than a Bachelor of Science degree. More appropriate master’s degree programs for students who wish to advance in industry or education are available in the Department of Biological Sciences or Psychology. Contact Dr. Mark Rasenick for more specific information regarding the Master's Program for Psychiatry residents.

Applications are accepted for the Fall semester only. All applications must be received by the Office of Admissions and Records no later than February 15 for consideration for the following academic year. We also need to receive your transcripts, Personal Statement and Letters of Recommendation by this date for you to receive full consideration.

To apply to the Program follow the links listed on the side bar to complete the step by step process (print Application Checklist):

Review your credentials.
Inform us of your intent to apply to the Program.
Complete the Admissions application.
Have your official College transcripts and GRE scores sent to the Office of Admissions and Records.
Send your Personal Statement and the application for a Graduate Appointment to the Director of Graduate Studies.
Arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies.

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