285771 - Neuroscience (PhD)
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Application Deadline
Fall: January 15
Contact Information
192S ESC
801-422-1218
neuroscience@byu.edu
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Tests
GRE, MCAT, or DAT are not required but may be submitted if desired.
Course Prerequisites
In addition to general graduate requirements, applicants should fulfill the following requirements:
Applicants should have a strong background in neuroscience. This should include 1) at least one advanced course completed in Behavioral Neuroscience AND 2) at least one advanced course completed in Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience. Students who do not fulfill either or both of these requirements may be conditionally accepted into the program, on condition that they take the course(s) they are missing (NEURO 460 and/or 480, respectively) during their first semester and pass each course with a grade of 3.0 or higher.
Applicants should also have a solid foundation in the basic sciences, with university-level credit in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and Biology/Physiology.
Applicants’ undergraduate GPA should be 3.0 or greater. Applicants with a lower GPA must submit a petition.
Additional Requirements
Resume
Transcripts
Three Letters of Recommendation: at least two from academic mentors/faculty/research advisors.
Letter of Intent: Document summarizing your background, career goals, research experience, interest level, likely fit, and desire to conduct graduate research with at least three specific faculty members in the program.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact individual faculty members whose research is aligned with the prospective student's long-term goals. This allows the faculty member to advocate on behalf of the applicant during the acceptance process. Students will work directly with faculty mentors throughout their graduate programs. Faculty contact information can be found here.
Apply here
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Course work and research that emphasize the integration of cellular neuroscience, molecular biology, developmental biology, biophysics, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology, neuroimmunology, cognition, and behavioral neuroscience is offered through this PhD degree program. Students are required to develop a strong background in the principles of neuroscience and develop the intellectual background and technical expertise necessary for successful research projects in their area of specialization. Publication of the research in peer-reviewed journals is expected but not required.
Requirements for Degree
Credit hours: 56 hours, including 18 hours of dissertation (course).
Students who have earned a master’s degree must complete at least 36 semester hours of additional graduate work at BYU beyond the master’s degree.
Required courses:
course Research Orientation 1.0
course Responsible Research Conduct 1.0
course Cellular Neuroscience 3.0
course Behavioral Neurobiology 3.0
course Laboratory Research 2.0
course Practicum in Neuroscience Teaching or Research 2.0
course Research Presentation 3.5 (0.5 credits for 7 semesters)
course Neuroscience Graduate Seminar 3.5 (0.5 credits for 7 semesters)
course Statistical Methods for Research 1 or equivalent 3.0
course Doctoral Dissertation 18.0
Electives 9.0
One semester (2 credits) of course must be performed in a laboratory different than the laboratory of the student’s graduate committee chair.
A seminar must be presented each year (course).
A professional development requirement must be met (course).
Dissertation: American Psychological Association format or journal publication format.
Examinations: (A) comprehensive written and oral examination; (B) defense of dissertation.
