DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Course work

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience is administered jointly by Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). Faculty members are affiliated principally with Rutgers University and the UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The Program also maintains a variety of reciprocal relations with faculty members of Princeton University. Course work requirements are flexible and established via individual student conferences. Normally, a student must complete at least 28 academic course credits, with a full time program of 12 to 15 credits each semester. A total of at least 72 credits, including up to 44 research credits, are required for the Ph.D. degree. A minimum of 24 credits must be at the graduate level and include 8 Advanced Studies seminar credits.

Orientation

Orientation for new students is held each year early in October. Students are introduced to faculty, learn about lab rotation, and hear talks presented by faculty members.

A collaborative and meaningful advisor-student relationship is integral to the successful training of students in this program. If a student has a clear preference for a specific research area or faculty advisor, he or she may arrange to begin work with his or her chosen advisor immediately. Otherwise, incoming students may select or be assigned to 3-4 laboratory rotations during the first year. Students are expected to have chosen a provisional dissertation advisor by the end of their first year's study.

Suggested First Fall Semester Schedule

Advanced Studies (2 credits)

Molecular Biology & Biochemistry (3 credits)

Neurobiology (4 credits)

Electives (2 - 4 credits)

Suggested First Spring Semester Schedule

Advanced Studies (2 credits)

Molecular Biology & Biochemistry (3 credits)

Neuroscience (4 credits)

Electives (2 - 3 credits), such as Advanced Cell Biology (3 credits)

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

To be awarded a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, the student must successfully complete:

1) Required course work

2) A qualifying examination consisting of an open book, written examination, on a topic in which the student has established a research interest (typically, this portion of the qualifying examination is to be completed by the end of the second year) and a dissertation proposal defense (typically, this portion of the qualifying examination is to be completed by the end of the third year)

3) An original research project under the supervision of a faculty advisor

Most students require 4-5 years of full time graduate study, including the dissertation research, to complete the requirements for the Ph.D. degree.