Message from the Neuroscience Program Director

Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the Medical College of Georgia. The mission of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience is to prepare students to create new knowledge that will reduce the burden of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The Neuroscience curriculum provides a solid understanding of the disorders of the nervous system integrated with fundamental basic neuroscience knowledge and discussions of current research. Students can participate in innovative clinical rotations to better understand the goals of basic and translational neuroscience research. Students will gain experience using research tools, from molecular to cellular to behavioral, and will perform research at the cutting edges of clinical and basic neuroscience.

Combining exposure in novel research areas with the most current clinical environment, the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the Medical College of Georgia provides a unique environment, allowing students to experience and pursue a broad base of interests.

I hope you consider the Medical College of Georgia for the beginning of your neuroscience career.

Darrell Brann , Ph.D.

Neuroscience Program Admissions

Admission to the Graduate Program in Neuroscience is through a common admissions process into the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at the Medical College of Georgia. All graduate students complete core course-work and laboratory rotations during their first year. Students in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience will begin course-work in Neuroscience during the second semester of the first year.

Comprehensive Information about admission to the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at the Medical College of Georgia can be found at the following links:

• Click here to fill out an application online.
• Click here for general information about admissions to programs at MCG.
• The website for the School of Graduate Studies contains useful information about becoming a graduate student at MCG.

For questions about admissions that may be specific to the Graduate Program of Neuroscience, contact Patricia Cameron or Darrell Brann for additional information

Neuroscience Program Curriculum

Curriculum for the PhD program in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience includes:

• coursework

• original research leading to a doctoral dissertation, and

• comprehensive examinations and a final oral examination.

Formal Courses

All students are enrolled into a common biomedical sciences graduate program and are required to take a common core set of courses the first year (e.g. courses in cellular biology, biochemistry, biostatistics, biological systems, and professional development). Additionally, in the first year the students take Neuroscience I, the first of two required neuroscience core courses, which provides a core foundation in cellular and molecular neuroscience, nervous system development and sensory systems. In the second year, the student takes the second required neuroscience core course, Neuroscience II, which provides advanced coverage of motor systems, regulatory systems, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, neural diseases, and emerging models and techniques in neuroscience. Neuroscience I and II are fully integrated with online Web-CT (electronic curriculum), which provides a rich, highly interactive educational environment that complements didactic lecture and lab presentations in the course. In the second year, the student also takes electives that complement the research interests and career goals of the student. The elective courses are chosen by the student in consultation with the student's major
advisor and thesis committee. The Neuroscience Graduate Program places a strong emphasis on translational neuroscience - e.g. the translation of basic science discoveries to clinical bedside therapeutics. This focus is clearly indicated in the curriculum in the Neuroscience I and II courses, which have significant clinical faculty participation. Additionally, one of the electives available to the student is the Clinical Neuroscience course, which consists of lectures on neurological disorders and clinical rotations, and includes participation in activities such as clinical patient rounds or observation of neurosurgical procedures. With this "class in the clinic" exposure, graduate students will have a much better understanding of the questions that must be addressed by neuroscience research.

~click here for a description of courses~

Research

Students will undertake three rotations in research labs during the first semester of the first year, where they will be involved in research projects. These are designed to teach techniques and serve to help students choose a research lab. During the second semester of their first year students will do two research rotations which will serve to help them select a mentor for their dissertation research, chosen after their second semester. Students are expected to receive research training during the rotations and in the lab of their mentor. Students will prepare a written research proposal for their dissertation in consultation with their mentor, and a thesis advisory committee that will approve the research proposal. The student is expected to do original research for their dissertation and publish their work in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Comprehensive Examinations

The first comprehensive exam is a written exam covering material from courses taken during the first two semesters, given over two days at the end of the second semester. The second comprehensive exam is a written or written/oral exam testing the understanding of the specialized field of study by the individual student. At the end of the program of study, students will present an oral defense of their dissertation before their thesis advisory committee and two outside readers following procedures specified by the School of Gradate Studies. Other program activities Students will be encouraged to actively participate in special events such as retreats, journal clubs, Brain Awareness Week and social functions, and will be invited to participate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program steering committee. Student presentation of research will be encouraged at the retreats, and at national and international scientific meetings.

Program Requirements - Guideline for Student

Sample Programs for Ph.D.

Year 1

Year 2

Years 3, 4

Fall

Fall

Fall

Biochemistry & Gene Regulation

Neuroscience II

Molecular Cell Biology

Neuroscience Seminar

Neuroscience Seminar

Responsible Conduct of Research

Investigation of a Problem

Investigation of a Problem

Introduction to Faculty Research

Introduction to Research I

Scientific Communications

Spring

Spring

Spring

Integrated Systems Biology

Investigation of a Problem

Investigation of a Problem

Introduction to Research II

Elective: Clinical Neuroscience

Neuroscience I

Neuroscience Seminar

Neuroscience Seminar

Summer

Summer

Summer

Biomedical Statistics

Investigation of a Problem

Investigation of a Problem

Investigation of a Problem