Degrees Offered
PhD, PhD/MD, PhD/DDS
Program Description
The Graduate Program in Neuroscience (PIN) is an interdisciplinary program of study leading to a PhD degree in Neuroscience. For over 20 years, PIN has been a center of excellence for graduate training in the life sciences. PIN faculty expertise and research interests range from molecular to clinical realms. 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 other prestigious academic institutions or finding employment at one of the many Neuroscience-related occupations in industry and government that the greater Washington D.C./Baltimore area offers.
Program Admission
In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s minimum admission requirements, applicants often have strong academic records having earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience or other major fields of biology. Applicants with mathematical, computer science or biomedical engineering backgrounds are also highly encouraged to apply. The program is particularly interested in candidates with independent research experience conducted in the undergraduate setting and/or beyond. 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. 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 and all required classes. All students are required to rotate through three laboratories prior to choosing their dissertation research lab/advisor. 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 |
Available Electives
| GPLS 781 | TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY | 3 |
| GPLS 780 | CNS DISEASES | |
| GPLS 627 | DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY | 3 |
| GPLS 613 | NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY | 3 |
| GPLS 642 | NOCICEPTION OF PAIN | 2 |
| GPLS 721 | MICROSCOPY FUNDAMENTALS AND MODERN IMAGING APPLICATIONS | 2 |
In addition to the above, 1 credit nanocourses are also offered on a host of topics depending on student interest. (ex: Addiction, Neuromethods, Coding and Intro to Logic, etc.)
Courses
See course listings under GPLS program descriptions.
part of this catalog.