N&B Ph.D. Requirements

Introduction

The goal of the Graduate Program in Neurobiology & Behavior is to produce the best Neuroscientists possible. The breath of our faculty allow us to provide interdisciplinary training from many points of view, including neuroanatomy, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, computional modeling and behavior. A graduate of our program will therefore be equipped to pursue a variety of career paths.

To download the entire Ph.D. requirements document click here: [PDF]

Curriculum

During the first year, students are required to take a series of six graduate level courses that provide exposure to core principles of neuroscience. NEUBEH 501, 502, 503 & 504 cover topics in cellular neurophysiology, cellular and molecular neurobiology, developmental neurobiology, neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology, systems neuroscience, cognition and behavior. NEUBEH 532 is a discussion course focusing on quantitative methods and modeling. NEUBEH 559 introduces students to a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases.

All students are expected to attend the Program seminar series (NEUBEH 510) throughout their graduate careers. First and second-year students are required to participate in a seminar-linked journal club (NEUBEH 527) with student presentations. Students receive credit for this course during their first two years, but are encouraged to attend throughout the remainder of their graduate careers.

During the first year, students are required to complete three one-quarter laboratory rotations (NEUBEH 526). At the end of each rotation, students submit an abstract and deliver a short oral presentation describing their work. The rotation advisor will provide a written evaluation of the student’s performance. Students should contact the Program Office at the beginning of each quarter with the name of their rotation advisor. All students in the Program are expected to attend the quarterly rotation talks.

Students typically complement their coursework with electives in areas of interest. Students must complete electives totaling at least 10 credits. These do not have to be graded credits. Single credit courses that represent lab meetings, departmental journal clubs, etc., do not fulfill the elective requirement. Entering graduate students will in general not be allowed to take elective courses in their first year, but may do so under special circumstances (e.g., a course is not offered every year) with prior approval by the Program Directors. More senior students should consult with their advisor to determine an appropriate curriculum of elective courses.  The Program’s Core Elective Course List provides an up-to-date listing of elective courses that do not require prior Program Director approval for credit. In addition, students may petition the Directors to receive credit for courses that are not part of the core list, but are deemed important for the student’s dissertation project. Director approval for any elective not on the list is required before the student enrolls in the course. Students may also petition for credit for courses taken at other institutions while enrolled in the program, such as summer courses at Cold Spring Harbor or Woods Hole. Electives may be taken for a grade or on a pass/fail basis.

Required Graduate Student Courses

It is the responsibility of the student to meet the following minimum graduate school requirements. Most are met by the program requirements but they should be considered when selecting your elective courses.

NEUBEH 501: Introduction to Neurobiology: Molecular & Cellular Neurobiology. (3) (Offered: A) Carlson
Concepts and techniques of molecular and cell biology as applied to understanding development and function of the nervous system. Required for all first year students.

NEUBEH 502: Introduction to Neurobiology: Sensory & Motor Systems. (3) (Offered: W) Sherk
Introduction to neuroanatomy and modules on sensory and motor systems, examination of macroscopic and microscopic neural tissues. Required for all first year students.

NEUBEH 503: Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience (3) (Offered: Sp) Phillips
A discussion of higher neural processes like learning, memory, and neuroendocrinology. Lecture and laboratory discussion of original literature, observation of demonstrations and simulations. Required for all first year students.

NEUBEH 504: Biophysics of Nerve, Muscle, and Synapse (3) (Offered: A) Sullivan, Zagotta
Introduces biophysical properties of nerve and muscle cells. Topics include intrinsic electrical properties of neurons, ion channels, receptor signaling, calcium signaling, contraction of muscles, and synaptic function. Required for all first year students.

NEUBEH 510: Seminar in Neurobiology (0.5) (Offered: A, W, Sp)
Bi-weekly seminar on current topics in neuroscience. To be taken for credit throughout graduate training. Alt weeks with NEUBEH 527.

NEUBEH 515: Teaching Practicum (1.0-3.0) (Offered: A, W, Sp, S)

NEUBEH 526: Introduction to Laboratory Research in Neurobiology & Behavior (4) (Offered: A, W, Sp, S)
Students carry out research projects in the laboratories of different faculty members on a quarterly rotation basis.

NEUBEH 527: Current Topics in Neurobiology & Behavior (1) (Offered: A, W, Sp) Sullivan Presentations by students on current scientific literature; complements the topics in the seminar series. (This course is concurrent with NEUBEH 510, alt weeks) Required for all first and second year students.

NEUBEH 532: Discussion in Cell Signaling and Molecular Physiology. (2) (Offered: A) Rieke
Discusses fundamental issues in cell excitability and molecular and cellular physiology. Focuses on problem solving and reading from original literature. Emphasizes student participation. Required for all first year students.

NEUBEH 559: Neurobiology of Disease (3) (Offered: S) Garden
Introduces medically important neurological and psychiatric diseases and experimental approaches to understanding the basis for diseases and their treatments. Covers stroke, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases of the CNS, neurodegenerative diseases, autism, psychosis, anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Required for all first year students.

NEUBEH 600: Neurobiology & Behavior Research/Independent Study. (Variable-max 10 cr.) (Offered: A, W, Sp, S)
Independent research. Taken prior to General Examination.

NEUBEH 800: Doctoral Dissertation (Variable-max 10 cr.) (Offered: A, W, Sp, S)
Dissertation Research. Limited to graduate students in the program.

Graduate School Minimum Requirements

It is the responsibility of the student to meet the following minimum graduate school requirements. Most are met by the program requirements but they should be considered when selecting your elective courses.

1. At least 18 credits of your course work must be at the 500 level and above and must be completed prior to scheduling your General Exam.
2. Presentation of a minimum of three years (nine full-time quarters) of resident study, two of them at the UW with at least one year in continuous full-time residence. The continuous year may be satisfied by completing three full-time quarters out of any four consecutive quarters at the UW and must be completed prior to the General Examination. The residence requirement for the doctoral degree cannot be met solely by part-time study. A minimum of two academic years of resident study must be completed prior to scheduling the General Examination.
3. Numerical grades must be received in at least 18 quarter credits of course work taken at the UW prior to scheduling the General Examination. The Graduate School accepts numerical grades in 400-level courses approved as part of the major and all 500-level courses. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for a graduate degree.
4. The student must pass the General Exam. Registration as a graduate student is required the quarter the exam is taken.
5. The student must prepare a dissertation that is a significant contribution to knowledge and clearly indicates training in research. Credit for the dissertation ordinarily should be at least one-third of the total credit. The Candidate must register for a minimum of 27 credits of dissertation over a period of at least three-quarters. At least one quarter must come after the student passes the General Examination. With the exception of summer, students are limited to a maximum of 10 credits per quarter of dissertation (NEUBEH 800).
6. The student must pass a Final Examination, usually devoted to the defense of the dissertation. The General and Final Examinations cannot be scheduled during the same quarter. Registration as a graduate student is required the quarter the exam is taken and the degree is conferred.
7. Completion of all work for the doctoral degree must be done within ten years. This includes quarters spent On-Leave or out of status as well as applicable work from the master's degree from the University of Washington or a master's degree from another institution, if applied toward one year of resident study other than the continuous full-time year of study.
8. Registration must be maintained as a full- or part-time graduate student at the University for the quarter in which the degree is conferred (see detailed information under Final Quarter Registration).
9. A student must satisfy the requirements that are in force at the time the degree is to be awarded.