Programs of Study

Neuroscience is one of the truly multidisciplinary research fields. All students are expected to be able to understand the fundamental principles and contributions of each of the major disciplines that form the core of neurosciences. New graduate students receive training in biochemistry and molecular biology, cell biology, and physiology before proceeding with the more focused courses in neuroscience. The neuroscience courses are subdivided into core courses that all students have to complete and elective courses that represent the two major fields of specialization offered: Cell and Molecular Neuroscience and Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience. The core curriculum includes research rotations in two laboratories of the student’s choice during the first year of studies. Two other components are training in the responsible conduct of research and supervised training in teaching neurosciences.

For the Ph.D. degree in neurosciences, the student must complete the core curriculum as well as the requirements established by the Graduate School. The latter are residence, research skills training, comprehensive oral examination, preparation of a dissertation, and final oral examination and defense of the dissertation.

The graduate program in Neurosciences offers several areas of specialization:

Molecular Neurobiology
Cellular Neurobiology
Neurochemistry
Neuropharmacology or Neurotoxicology
Developmental Neurobiology
Behavioral Neurobiology/Physiological Psychology
Behavioral Pharmacology
Sensory Physiology and Neurobiology
Cognitive Neuroscience

Requirements for the Ph.D. in Neuroscience.

The neuroscience courses are subdivided into core courses that all students have to complete and elective courses that represent two major fields: Cell and Molecular Neuroscience and Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience.

Students also complete two laboratory rotations during their first year. Following the laboratory rotations, each student chooses a research advisor and begins an independent research project.

Additional course requirements include one core course from the Biobehavioral Neuroscience, one from the Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, and one from the General Neurobiology themes outlined in the table below. In addition, all students are expected to take a course in Bioethics or Issues of Scientific Integrity and receive training in effective oral communication and teaching (Teaching Principles course). All required and most elective courses are completed in the first two years of the Program. At the end of the first two years, students take the comprehensive oral examination.

All students are required to complete a Research Skill. Areas that are commonly used are radiation biology and radiation safety, cell culture methodology, techniques of electron and confocal microscopy, molecular biology, computer science, statistics, and training in electronics and instrumentation.

A unifying component of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience is the biweekly Neuroscience Seminar, which meets alternately in Lawrence and Kansas City. Students present at least two seminars during their graduate career. In addition, faculty, students and post-doctoral associates affiliated with the Neuroscience graduate program organize an annual Graduate Student Symposium of Neurosciences.

Examples of a likely curriculum for a student enrolling in either KU Lawrence or KU Medical Center is shown below

The University of Kansas
Neuroscience Graduate Program, Malott Hall
1251 Wescoe Hall Dr., Room 5064
Lawrence, KS 66045-7582
Telephone: (785) 864-4002 or (785) 864-7339
E-mail: emichaelis@ku.edu