|
Welcome
Departmental Programs
Program Specializations
Program Provisions Year 1
Program Provisions Year 2
Preliminary Examination
Research and Dissertation
Course Descriptions
Timetable
Graduate College
Program Governance |
Program Overview
Research Specializations
A printable version of the Program Provisions (9/1/08) can be downloaded here.
The Ph.D. in Neuroscience follows the curricular guidelines established by the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Chicago. A total of 96 credit hours is required for graduation. Of these 96 hours, 32 will be obtained from formal graded courses (not including research and NEUS 595 Seminar in Neuroscience; i.e. Journal Club). These constitute the "GPA" credit hours. A minimum of 8 GPA hours at the 500 level (not including core courses GCLS 503, NEUS 501, 502, 595 and research) must be obtained by all students, whether or not they enter the program with a Masters of Science degree. These 8 credit hours are included within the 32 hours or coursework required for the degree. All graduate trainees will take a first year of core courses in biology and neuroscience, as well as rotations through laboratories in participating departments that will begin in the first semester. Before starting their second year, students will choose their thesis advisor. At the end of their second year, students will take a Preliminary Examination before continuing their dissertation research.
Note to M.D. Ph.D. Students: M.D. Ph.D. students are required to meet all the requirements of the Graduate Program. Exceptions are noted in the downloadable version of the Program Provisions (see above). However, every effort will be made to design a program that best suits the needs and talents of the individual students. M.D. Ph.D. students must consult with the Director of the M.D. Ph.D. Program as well as the Director of Graduate Studies of the Neuroscience Program before beginning rotations or choosing a thesis advisor. Normally, students will begin their course work with the first two years of the Medical School curriculum. They are required to complete their laboratory rotations during those first years. Required Graduate-level courses and electives and the Ph.D. Preliminary Examinations should be completed by the end of Year 3.
All students admitted to the Program will be expected to be conversant in multiple areas of scientific specialization in order to promote dialog and collaboration between the various disciplines represented by the Neurosciences. This will be accomplished by the students' participation in the introductory courses during their first year and participation in the Neuroscience Journal Club throughout their academic career. Ultimately, students will specialize in one of these overlapping areas of interest described below:
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Objectives
Students in this area are expected to become expert in some or all of the following three areas: 1) biochemistry / molecular biology [specially related to signal transduction], 2) cell biology and imaging, 3) neuropharmacology. All students are expected to develop an understanding of diseases of the brain and mind, some basic understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of those diseases, as well as treatments for them.
Research
The major research strengths in this area are neural signal transduction and synaptic plasticity.
Return to top
Integrative Systems Neuroscience
Objectives
Students selecting this area are expected to develop in-depth knowledge of some or all of the following subjects: 1) integrative synaptic physiology, 2) sensory processing and motor control, 3) sensor technology and neural tissue engineering. Students will develop familiarity with quantitative analysis of behavior, electrophysiological methods, imaging, and statistical and modeling approaches.
Research
The major research strengths in this area are sensory function (especially vision), sensorimotor integration, and neural engineering.
Return to top
Human and Therapeutic Neuroscience
Objectives
This area provides integrated interdisciplinary training for neuroscience students in human cognition, motor control and learning, and dysfunction of neural systems. It is based on advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques for studying the brain, and advanced optoelectronic and servo-driven devices for studying cognition and movement.
Research
Major research strengths in this area are cognition, human sensorimotor performance, psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Return to top
| Graduate Program in Neuroscience | Departmental Concentration | Application Procedures | Faculty | Events |
 Copyright © 2007-2008 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
|
