1. Curriculum, Training, & Outreach
  2. Neuroscience Curriculum

Neuroscience Curriculum

Title: 
First Year Courses
Accordion Body: 

​Pre-Term-

  • Neurosci 623, Introduction to Molecular Neurobiology and Neurophysiology- This course is taken at the end of summer, as an intense introduction to Molecular Neurobiology and Neurophysiology focusing on cellular and molecular neuroscience. It meets for three weeks, just before the beginning of the Fall term. This "bootcamp" provides students an introduction to graduate school and fosters social interactions between the incoming cohort of students. Topics focus on the development, knowledge and technical advances in molecular neurobiology, and an understanding of cell and membrane electrophysiology. The laboratory experience encompasses experiments and research orientated towards advancing the technical and analytical approaches of molecular neurobiology and cell and membrane electrophysiology. Students work together in groups getting to know each other and working collaboratively on projects. Some of the topics include analysis of RNA isolation and characterization from tissues, PCR and PCR fragment cloning, plasmid DNA isolation, restriction enzyme characterization, protein isolation and Western blot characterization. Anatomical topics include immunocytochemical localization of specific neuronal proteins and time lapse video microscopy. Among the physiological topics are intracellular, extracellular recording, action potential generation and propagation.  Students also spend 2 days working on Matlab and programming skills. In addition, students are provided independent research problems to promote integrative thinking, including neurophysiology and its relationship to behavior across molecular and cellular neuroscience as well as working in groups. 3 credits

FALL Term-

  • Research Rotation(s), Neurosci 800 (PIBS registers under PIBS 600)- All students must perform research rotations for the Fall and Winter terms. Rotations can be full or half term rotations any affilliated NGP faculty member. Optional summer rotations are a possibility. 
  • Neurosci 601, Principles of Neuroscience- Fall Term Principles of Neuroscience Courses: Neuroscience 611, 612, and 613. Sequential modules with each module lasting 1/3 of the semester. Represents the first half of a year-long, graduate-level survey of neuroscience. The goals for these courses are: to provide students with a broad range of basic Neuroscience background knowledge, to provide students with a sense of how knowledge was obtained, by reading and discussing “classic papers” and to provide students with a sense of where the current frontier is, by reading and discussing very recent papers. Each week this class meets for 4-6 hours, with a mix of lectures and discussion. These courses constitute the first half of a comprehensive introduction of neuroscience. 1 credit per module

    • 611- Neuropharmacology covers binding relationships and pharmodynamics; Glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine, dopamine, adrenergic and serotonergic transmission; Opioid Systems; Neuropeptides and a number of other topics.

    • 612- Neural Development covers Neurogenesis, Neuronal activity and critical periods, axon growth, degeneration and regeneration, synaptogenesis, neurotrophic factors and other topics.

    • 613- Neurophysiology, Circuits and Computational Neuroscience covers basic neurophysiology concepts, network activity and computational modeling of neurons and neuronal networks; brain function and network interactions in multiple brain regions. 

  • Neurosci 570/571, Human Neuroanatomy- Neuroanatomy course and lab provides a systematic survey of the structure of the human nervous system, including major pathways, neurotransmitters, and functions.

  • Neurosci 700, Neuroscience Seminar- Weekly colloquium series with talks being presented by students in their second and fourth years as well as invited speakers and internal faculty. This is a 1 credit course. Attendance is required.

  • PIBS 503, Research Responsibility and Ethics- Covers a number of topics related to the responsible conduct of research. Among the topics usually treated are the proper use and care of animals in research, rules for research involving human subjects, accepted standards for recording data and keeping notebooks, distinguishing ethical from unethical practices and a discussion of what type of contribution to a project merits authorship on papers.

  • Other Program Requirement- During year 1 or 2 all students who are eligible are required to submit an NSF proposal.

 

WINTER Term-

  • Research Rotation(s), Neurosci 801 (PIBS registers under PIBS 600)- All students must perform research rotations for the Fall and Winter terms. Rotations can be full or half term rotations any affilliated NGP faculty member. Optional summer rotations are a possibility. 
  • Neurosci 700, Neuroscience Seminar- Weekly colloquium series with talks being presented by students in their second and fourth years as well as invited speakers and internal faculty. This is a 1 credit course. Attendance is required.
  • Statistics or Elective Course- 
    • ​Every student is expected to demonstrate basic proficiency in statistics. This requirement can be satisfied by several different courses, or by previous experience as an undergraduate with approval. Can be taken as a candidate level student if approved by the NGP Director. 3 credits

    • 3 credits cognate electives are required by Rackham. The electives can be achieved by a variety of courses in Biological Chemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Human Genetics, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychology and other programs and includes Journal clubs. The elective can be taken at either the pre-candidate OR candidate level. 

  • Neurosci 602, Principles of Neuroscience- Winter Term Principles of Neuroscience Courses: Neuroscience 614, 615 and 616. This course is the second half of a comprehensive introduction to neuroscience. The 3 course modules make up an entire semester long introduction to Neuroscience topics, each lasting a third of the semester. 1 credit per module, 3 credits total.

    • 614- Sensory Systems covers auditory system, visual system, olfaction, somatosensation, taste, and other topics as time allows.

    • 615- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, Topics will include learning and memory, motivation, addiction, circadian rhythms, and stress. Behavioral methods will be discussed.

    • 616- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Covers trinucleotide repeat disorders; movement and psychiatric disorders; epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and other dementias

  • Other Program Requirement- During year 1 or 2 all students who are eligible are required to submit an NSF proposal.

  • Qualifying Exam- Taken after the first year course work has been completed. 

Title: 
Second Year Courses
Accordion Body: 
  • Year Two- Statistics or Elective Course- If statistics was not taken in the First year, the statistics requirement must be met in the second year.  Electives are also available in the second year. The electives can be achieved by a variety of courses in Biological Chemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Human Genetics, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychology, Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, and a variety of other departments.
  • Neurosci 995, Candidate Level Research- Students register for 8 credits of laboratory research for each fall and winter term until the completion of their degree
  • Neurosci 700, Neuroscience Seminar- Students in year 2 present in either Fall or Winter term of the seminar. They meet in groups of two with a faculty mentor for 4-6 weeks of intense discussion of a relevant topic in neuroscience. During this time, each student selects a paper for presentation to the entire Neuroscience Program. The presentation is in the form of a 20-minute lecture. Students receive extensive help from the faculty mentor in preparing their talk, and receive oral feedback from other Program faculty after the talk. This course gives our students outstanding skills for giving scientific presentations. In year 4 students will again present in the seminar giving a talk about their dissertation research. 
  • Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)- 1 term of teaching is required for a degree in Neuroscience. This is completed during the second year. NGP students typically teach in Neuroscience, Biology and Psychology as well as selected basic science departments within the Medical School. 
  • Additional Program Requirements after Candidacy
    • ​Dissertation Committee Selection, in the term in which candidacy is acheived

    • Preparation of Thesis Research Proposal (NRSA format) for Presentation to Dissertation Committee

    • Attendance at NGP events

 

Title: 
Candidate Years
Accordion Body: 

Following the Preliminary Examination, the Executive Committee evaluates each student's overall progress. The Committee considers the results of course work, opinions of faculty, (especially those with whom the student has done research), performance in the Neuroscience 700 seminar and results of the Preliminary Examination.

Once a student is deemed qualified to be a candidate for the Ph.D., he/she is recommended to the Graduate School. When the University and the Graduate School requirements have been met, the candidate will receive a "Candidate's Certificate" and may proceed to form a Dissertation Committee and undertake a Ph.D. research project.

Title: 
Research Proposal and Dissertation Committee
Accordion Body: 

Each student is expected to write an original Ph.D. research proposal, including a brief review of pertinent literature and results of preliminary work. The student, in consultation with their mentor, will present a one-page summary of the proposal and nominations for members of the Dissertation Committee to the Executive Committee.

After approval by the Executive Committee the student will meet with his/her Dissertation Committee for approval of the proposal before the Program formally nominates the Dissertation Committee to the Graduate School. A minimum of five faculty members must constitute the Dissertation Committee (three of whom must be members of the Program). The establishment of the Dissertation Committee and the submission of the research proposal must occur in the third year.

Semi-annual meetings of the Dissertation Committee are expected, which provide strong intellectual and personal support to help the student complete a first-rate dissertation. After the research proposal is approved, it is the responsibility of the mentor and Dissertation Committee to keep the Executive Committee informed of the student’s progress

Title: 
Dissertation and Oral Defense
Accordion Body: 

The requirements for a completed thesis are determined by the Dissertation Committee in consultation with the research mentor and the student. A dissertation will often consist of an introductory chapter, three first authored, peer-reviewed research papers, and a summary chapter. The student must present a public seminar on the dissertation research followed by an oral defense of the dissertation before the Dissertation Committee.