For information about predoctoral training opportunities in neuroscience, contact the Neuroscience Program.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will:
- achieve a broad and deep knowledge base in neuroscience spanning the subdisciplines from cell/molecular to systems/cognitive neuroscience;
- achieve a high proficiency in research theory, design, and practice, including the ability to apply appropriate quantitative methods and statistical approaches, design and carry out the research with rigor and reproducibility, and incorporate responsible conduct in all phases of the research;
- develop strong oral and written communication skills so that they can be conversant with neuroscientists in any area of the field and can bring a broad interdisciplinary perspective to their own research;
- develop teaching effectiveness in formal and informal settings and establish credentials in teaching excellence; and
- provide impactful service to the program, institution, and scientific community, and understand the value of providing engaging outreach to society to prepare them for effective entry into the workforce and society.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in neuroscience requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00. The program's curriculum is designed around three tracks: molecular/cellular, developmental/systems, and cognitive/behavioral. Following broad-based instruction in a core curriculum, students specialize in one of the tracks.
Within a framework of core, track-specific, and elective courses, students pursue a program of study individually designed according to their undergraduate training and graduate research goals. After enrolling in the neuroscience program, entering students consult with the advisory committee regarding their level of preparation for the program's required courses.
The Student Advisory Committee meets with all first- and second-year graduate students once each semester, helping students explore their research interests and select faculty mentors for the required laboratory rotations. Each student is expected to complete three rotations in faculty laboratories before selecting a thesis advisor. Rotations ordinarily last 12 weeks but may last from 8 to 16 weeks. Under special circumstances, two rotations may be in the same laboratory, an arrangement that permits a student to learn a variety of techniques and approaches before settling down to work on the dissertation project. Students usually choose a dissertation lab at the end of their first year.
Background Requirements
Successful students will have demonstrated preparedness for graduate training in neuroscience by completing a bachelor's degree and substantive prior research experience in one or more of the following areas: biochemistry, general physiology, cell biology, and statistics. Didactic coursework in quantitative methods, statistics, and/or computer programming also is beneficial.
Neuroscience Core
The following courses form the core of the neuroscience graduate curriculum.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NSCI:5653 | Fundamental Neurobiology I | 3 |
| NSCI:7235 | Neurobiology of Disease | 3 |
| ACB:6252 | Functional Neuroanatomy | arr. |
| BMED:7270 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research I | 0 |
| BMED:7271 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research II | 0 |
| PSY:6370 | Principles of Neuropsychology | 3 |
| One statistics course | 3-4 | |
| In addition, students register for the following two courses each semester: | ||
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 0-1 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | arr. |
Electives
Elective requirements may be met by completing 8 s.h. from a list of courses offered by the departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Psychological and Brain Sciences, and other departments as appropriate. With permission of the Student Advisory Committee, students may satisfy the elective requirement wholly or in part by registration in the following courses.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NSCI:5212 | Foundations in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience | 4 |
| NSCI:5365 | Seminar: Neuropsychology and Neuroscience | arr. |
| BIOL:3343 | Animal Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL:4213 | Bioinformatics | 2,4 |
| BMED:5207 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| CSD:5234 | Acquired Cognitive-Communication Disorders | arr. |
| CSD:6230 | Psychoacoustics | 2-3 |
| GENE:6200 | Current Topics in Genetics | 1 |
| HHP:6300 | Motor Control Seminar | 1 |
| MATH:5750 | Mathematical Biology I | 3 |
| MICR:5218 | Microscopy for Biomedical Research | arr. |
| MMED:6220 | Mechanisms of Cellular Organization | 3 |
| MMED:6226 | Cell Cycle Control | 1 |
| MMED:6227 | Cell Fate Decisions | 1 |
| PCOL:5135 | Principles of Pharmacology | 1 |
| PCOL:5137 | Neurotransmitters | 1 |
| PCOL:6207 | Ion Channel Pharmacology | 1 |
| PCOL:6225 | Growth Factor Receptor Signaling | 1 |
| PSY:3320 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY:5070 | Programming for Psychologists | 3 |
| PSY:5080 | Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience | 4 |
| PSY:5610 | Proseminar in Cognition and Perception | 3 |
| PSY:6440 | Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSY:7150 | Current Topics in Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:7210 | Seminar: Advanced Topics in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| RHET:7500 | Science Communication in the Digital Age | 2-3 |
| STAT:6300 | Probability and Stochastic Processes I | 3 |
PhD/MD
Students may work toward the Doctor of Medicine degree and a PhD in neuroscience in a combined degree program offered by the Graduate College and the Carver College of Medicine. Applicants apply to the Medical Scientist Training Program (Carver College of Medicine) in the catalog.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
All students receive a financial stipend of $34,500 plus tuition for the 2024–25 academic year. Financial support comes from training grants, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, scholarships, individual research grants, or other departmental or college funds. All students are required to teach as part of their development as future scientists and faculty members.
The Neuroscience Program is committed to supporting its graduate students for their entire training period. Students normally are supported in the first year by the program. After that, support is expected to come from a student's primary research mentor. Occasionally, advanced students are supported through teaching assistantships.
See Funding on the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience website and Cost and Funding on the Graduate Admissions website for more information.
National Institutes of Health Training Grant
The Neuroscience Program is supported by a training grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant provides stipend and tuition support for a select group of first- and second-year graduate students.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Neuroscience, PhD
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Graduate College program GPA of at least 3.00 is required. c | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Choose a Dissertation Lab d | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| NSCI:5653 | Fundamental Neurobiology I | 3 |
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| NSCI:7235 | Neurobiology of Disease | 3 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | 5 |
| PSY:6370 | Principles of Neuropsychology | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACB:6252 | Functional Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | 7 |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMED:7270 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research I | 0 |
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | 8 |
| Statistics course f | 3 - 4 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMED:7271 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research II | 0 |
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | 12 |
| Elective course e | 2 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| Exam: Doctoral Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | 3 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | 3 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSCI:6265 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| NSCI:7305 | Neuroscience Research | 1 |
| Exam: Doctoral Final Exam g | ||
| Hours | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 72-73 | |
- a
- This Interdisciplinary graduate program is designed within a framework of core, track-specific, and elective courses. Students pursue a program of study individually designed according to their undergraduate training and graduate research goals. The curriculum is designed around three tracks: molecular/cellular, developmental/systems, and cognitive/behavioral; following broad-based instruction in a core curriculum, students specialize in one of the tracks.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Graduate College program GPA is comprised of all courses that are approved degree requirements. If a student takes more than the minimum required number of semester hours to complete the degree, but all courses taken are eligible to count toward the degree, those courses will be included in the Graduate College program GPA.
- d
- Each student is expected to complete three rotations in faculty laboratories before selecting a dissertation advisor. Rotations ordinarily last 12 weeks but may last from 8 to 16 weeks. Under special circumstances, two rotations may be in the same laboratory, an arrangement that permits a student to learn a variety of techniques and approaches before settling down to work on the dissertation project.
- e
- Elective requirements may be met by completing 8 s.h. from a list of courses offered by the departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Psychological and Brain Sciences, and other departments with approval.
- f
- Work with faculty advisor to select an appropriate course.
- g
- Dissertation defense.