Degrees Offered
PhD, PhD/MD, PhD/DDS
Program Description
The Graduate Program in Neuroscience (PIN) is dedicated to providing a center of excellence for the training of outstanding graduate students in the field of neuroscience. Our graduate program is an interdisciplinary program of study leading to a PhD degree in neuroscience. We look to prepare the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding of the brain/nervous system. Neuroscience faculty expertise and research interests range from the genome to the clinical. Our program enhances interaction among our internationally renowned faculty and enables graduate students to take advantage of the full depth and breadth of neuroscience research conducted at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Our PhD students are highly sought after, routinely being appointed as postdoctoral fellows at prestigious institutions.
Program Admission
In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s minimum admission requirements, applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with training in an appropriate major field of biology or biomedical sciences such as psychology, biochemistry, neuroscience, or bioengineering. The program is particularly interested in candidates with independent research experience. Applicants should have grades of A or B in undergraduate science courses. Competitive applicants have strong verbal and quantitative Graduate Record Examinations scores. The program encourages the application of women and candidates from racial and ethnic minorities under-represented in the sciences. Our application deadline is Dec. 1 for best consideration and Dec. 15 for final consideration. Admission to the program is highly competitive, and, after interviews, acceptances are made as qualified candidates are identified. Additional information is available from the program manager at http://lifesciences.umaryland.edu/neuroscience/.
Degree Requirements
PhD candidates must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits of doctoral dissertation research. All students are required to do three laboratory rotations and required courses. Additionally, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 to remain in good standing in the program. A complete description of progression guidelines and degree requirements is provided in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
Required Courses
| GPLS 601 | MECHANISMS IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES: FROM GENES TO DISEASE | 8 |
| GPLS 691 | MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOPHYSICS | 1 |
| GPLS 620 | SYNAPTIC PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY | 4 |
| GPLS 641 | SYSTEMS AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE | 4 |
| GPLS 630 | FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| GPLS 737 | PROSEMINAR IN EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN | 2 |
| GPLS 609 | LABORATORY ROTATIONS | 1 TO 3 |
| GPLS 629 | JOURNAL CLUB | 1 |
| GPLS 608 | SEMINAR | 1 OR 2 |
| CIPP 909 | RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH | 1 TO 2 |
GPLS 609: three
GPLS 608: for proposal and defense presentations
Available Electives
| GPLS 781 | TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY | 3 |
GPLS 780
| | |
| GPLS 627 | DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY | 3 |
| GPLS 613 | NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY | 3 |
| GPLS 642 | NOCICEPTION OF PAIN | 2 |
| GPLS 721 | MICROSCOPY FUNDAMENTALS AND MODERN IMAGING APPLICATIONS | 2 |
Courses
See course listings under GPLS program descriptions.