Program Overview

Neuroscience, PhD

The Department of Neuroscience offers an interdisciplinary program designed to train doctoral students for independent research and teaching in neuroscience. The goal of the program is to ensure that candidates for the Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. degrees obtain a background covering molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive approaches to neuroscience, as well as receive training that brings them to the forefront of research in their particular area of interest.

Overview

A series of core courses in neuroscience, along with advanced electives, seminar series, laboratory rotations, and original independent dissertation research, form the Neuroscience Graduate Training Program. Students enter the program from different backgrounds, and the laboratories in which they elect to work cover different disciplines; therefore, the program is tailored to fit the needs of individual students.

Admission

Applicants are expected to have received a B.S. or B.A. prior to enrolling in the graduate program. Laboratory research experience prior to enrollment is also desirable. The program does not require GRE scores.

Program Requirements

• A year-long core course provides an integrated overview of molecular and cellular neuroscience, neuroanatomy and systems, and cognitive neuroscience.
• Students are required to take 6 graduate-level core courses that provide rigorous training in principles of neuroscience research.
• Students attend research symposia and complete lab rotations to introduce them to research.
• Students participate in core program activities such as seminars, journal clubs, a quantitative analysis boot camp, career development courses, and various program events.
• Each student selects advanced electives offered by members of the Neuroscience Training Program or other departments at the Medical School.

Seminar Program

The Neuroscience Training Program conducts several seminar series to ensure that students are exposed to recent work by researchers from across the country and the world as well as by Hopkins faculty and fellows. Graduate trainees participate actively in these series throughout their training.

Requirements for the PhD Degree

• A minimum residency of two academic years is required.
• Students must successfully complete the required course requirements.
• An oral examination must be completed by the end of the second year.
• Students must conduct original research and describe this research in a written thesis dissertation, which must be approved by the student's Thesis Committee and the Doctor of Philosophy Board.

Training Facilities

The Training Program is centered in the Department of Neuroscience and utilizes laboratory facilities located in the Department of Neuroscience plus several other basic and clinical departments closely associated with the Neuroscience Department.

Combined M.D./PhD Program

A subset of the current predoctoral trainees in the Neuroscience Program are candidates for both Ph.D. and M.D. degrees. Applications for admission to the combined program are considered by the M.D./Ph.D. Committee of the School of Medicine.

Core Competencies in Neuroscience

Graduates should demonstrate:

1. Basic knowledge of neuroscience principles, including how neurons use passive and active membrane properties, how neurons are connected in circuits, and the cellular and molecular specializations that support nervous system function.
2. Critical thinking, including the ability to analyze primary literature, identify strengths and shortcomings of methods employed, and construct testable hypotheses.
3. Quantitative analysis, including the ability to process and apply analytical techniques and statistical tests to data, create effective figures, and critically evaluate and interpret quantitative data.
4. Effective written/oral communication skills, including the ability to organize scientific communications, orally present scientific material, and write clearly and effectively.
5. Career-specific skills, such as curriculum design for teachers or financial analysis for consulting, developed through a plan with their mentor and thesis advisory committee.
6. Self-motivated learning/scientific inquiry, including the ability to independently explore and assimilate existing literature and identify and engage expert guidance when needed.
7. Discipline-specific research skills, including the ability to develop hypothesis-driven research questions, conduct discipline-specific experimental techniques, and troubleshoot and solve emergent problems.
8. Citizenship, including a fundamental understanding of research ethics, the ability to work collaboratively with others, and leadership skills necessary to effectively train and supervise others.

Financial Aid

The program provides tuition remission plus a stipend at or above the National Institutes of Health Predoctoral level for all students. All entering and first-year students are encouraged to apply for individual fellowships. The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is a new endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields, providing full tuition, stipend, and benefits, along with targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities.