Program Overview

About Neuroscience Graduate Program

The University of California, San Francisco offers an interdisciplinary program for graduate training in neuroscience. The purpose of this program is to train doctoral students for independent research and teaching in neuroscience. Participation in Neuroscience Program activities does not require membership in the Neuroscience Program. The program welcomes attendance of all interested UCSF faculty, students and other trainees at its retreat, seminars and journal club.

Program Objectives

Our program seeks to train students who will be expert in one particular approach to neuroscientific research, but who will also have a strong general background in other areas of neuroscience and related disciplines. To achieve this objective, our students take interdisciplinary core and advanced courses in neuroscience, as well as related courses sponsored by other graduate programs. In addition, they carry out research under the supervision of faculty members in the program.

Faculty and Research

Our faculty are among the world leaders in their respective areas of neuroscience. Students work intensively with faculty members to conduct research in groundbreaking areas. The program's research areas include dementia and Parkinson’s, with a focus on better brain aging for everyone.

Program Structure

• Interdisciplinary core and advanced courses in neuroscience
  • Related courses sponsored by other graduate programs
• Research under the supervision of faculty members
• Participation in program activities, including retreat, seminars, and journal club

Awards and Recognition

The program's faculty members have received notable awards, including the 2025 UCSF Chancellor Award for Advancement of Women.

Events

• Neuroscience Formal Seminar Series
  • Featuring speakers such as Tanya Sippy, MD, PhD
• Annual Retreat
• External Postdoc Seminar Program (EPSP)
• Neuroscience Program and Community Calendar
• RIPS
• Kavli Faculty Seminar