Program Overview

Biomedical Sciences - Neurosciences - Ph.D.

Overview

The Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences - Neurosciences program is designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to make groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience research. With a focus on hands-on experience and collaboration, you will have opportunities to work with experienced researchers in state-of-the-art facilities, advancing your understanding of the human brain and preparing you for a fulfilling career in academia or industry.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Sufficient academic background to complete graduate coursework in neuroscience (strong background in cell biology is recommended)
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Goal statement indicating the applicant's interests in neuroscience, their research experience and career aspirations
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• BMS 70120: LABORATORY TECHNIQUES IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (taken twice) - 4 credit hours
• BMS 71000: RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH - 1 credit hour
• BMS 71001: INTRODUCTION TO BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES - 1 credit hour
• BMS 78637: BIOANTHROPOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS I - 4-5 credit hours
• or BSCI 70104: BIOLOGICAL STATISTICS
• BMS 80110: CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS FOR LIFE SCIENTISTS - 2 credit hours
• Graduate Electives Approved by Guidance Committee - 6-40 credit hours
• Neuroscience Electives, choose one track from the following:
  • Track One:
    • BMS 70462: NEUROBIOLOGY: SYSTEMS AND BEHAVIOR
    • BMS 70729: CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
  • Track Two:
    • BMS 80200: FOUNDATIONS OF NEUROSCIENCE
    • Choose two from the following:
      • BMS 70462: NEUROBIOLOGY: SYSTEMS AND BEHAVIOR
      • BMS 70703: NEURAL MECHANISMS OF LEARNING AND MEMORY
      • BMS 70729: CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
      • BSCI 70147: DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY
      • BSCI 70152: MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF DISEASE: NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
      • BSCI 70157: NEUROBIOLOGY OF DRUG ADDICTION
      • BSCI 70385: CURRENT TOPICS IN NEUROSCIENCE
      • BSCI 70429: NEURAL CONTROL OF REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION
      • BSCI 70431: NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
      • BSCI 70519: HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
• Culminating Requirement:
  • BMS 80199: DISSERTATION I - 30 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
• Post-baccalaureate students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours prior to enrolling in BMS 80199. Minimum 15 of the 60 credit hours must be letter-graded courses.
• Post-master's students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours prior to enrolling in BMS 80199.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.
2. Demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate students.
3. Seek employment in fields that reflect their area of training.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences–Neurosciences is offered in consortium with the Cleveland Clinic and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). The program allows students to complete research projects under the guidance of a neuroscience faculty member at Kent State and faculty at the other two institutions.

Students complete a common set of core courses that cover fundamental principles in neuroscience, from the cellular/molecular to the systems level. Students also complete elective courses tailored to their chosen subdiscipline. Areas of research focus on the neurosciences include behavioral neuroscience, sensory neuroscience, developmental neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases.