Program Overview

Introduction to the Interdepartmental Neuroscience PhD Program

The Interdepartmental Neuroscience (NUIN) PhD program at Northwestern University offers world-class advanced training in neuroscience. The program is anchored in the Feinberg School of Medicine, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago on the university's Chicago campus, as well as the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, McCormick School of Engineering, and School of Communication on the Evanston campus.

Program Overview

The NUIN program is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, with numerous and diverse foci of research excellence. It has approximately 160 PhD students and 160 faculty representing 20 departments across the Chicago and Evanston campuses.

PhD Program

The research-oriented PhD program offers students from diverse backgrounds and majors a rigorous training in the field of neuroscience. The program includes:

• Curriculum & Requirements
  • Academic Timeline
  • Lab Rotations
  • Coursework
  • Advising
  • Seminar Attendance
  • IDP
  • Teaching
  • Qualifying Exam
  • PACT
  • Thesis Committee
  • Thesis Proposal
  • Annual Meetings of the Thesis Committee
  • First Author Publication
  • Thesis Defense and Dissertation

Research Areas

The program has various research areas, including:

• Neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognition
• Large-scale interactions between different brain areas
• Neuromodulators and their role in coordinating brain activity
• Behavioral features that explain brain activity during different tasks
• Role of light in behavior
• Cellular function of cells within the retina and their downstream circuits in the brain
• Visual functions and the role of RGC subtypes

Faculty and Students

The program has a diverse faculty and student body, with profiles available for:

• Faculty members, including their research interests and areas of expertise
• Current students, including their thesis research and areas of focus

News and Events

The program regularly updates its news and events section, featuring:

• Recent advancements and discoveries in the field of neuroscience
• Upcoming events and symposia related to neuroscience research

Conclusion

The Interdepartmental Neuroscience PhD program at Northwestern University provides a comprehensive and rigorous training in neuroscience, with a strong focus on research excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration. With its diverse faculty and student body, the program offers a unique opportunity for students to explore various research areas and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of neuroscience.