2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Neuroscience, PhD


Banner Code:  SC-PHD-NEUR

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in neuroscience is offered jointly by the College of Science , the College of Humanities and Social Science , and the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study .

The program focuses on the complexity of the brain and addresses the challenge of developing an integrative understanding of cognition and higher brain function. In response to this challenge, the rapidly developing field of neuroscience has produced an exponential increase in the amount of data available to investigators as they develop new theories of brain function and new hypotheses to test. The main objective of the program is to prepare students to participate at the cutting edge of this exciting field in academia, industry, and government. The program provides students with a rich interdisciplinary intellectual environment that fosters the development of the skills they will need to successfully pursue research careers.

Current faculty research focuses on the broad areas of behavior, anatomy, physiology, neuropharmacology, molecular biology, computational modeling, and informatics. External research collaborations exist with federal agencies, private and not-for-profit corporations, and other universities. The scope of research ranges from the subcellular and molecular level (in the context of such phenomena as drug addiction and the biological basis of schizophrenia) to the systems and behavioral level.

Current research projects include the effects of drugs and alcohol on behavioral and neurological development, plasticity mechanisms supporting development, network formation and information processing, cellular and subcellular models of associative learning, biochemical dynamics in disorders of the basal ganglia, computational methods for simulation of complex biological systems, role of metals in memory and Alzheimer’s disease, and dynamical behavior of neurons and networks of neurons, and identifying and characterizing protein interactions for the dopamine and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and undergraduate courses in organic chemistry, cell biology, and integral calculus. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.25 in undergraduate work and acceptable GRE scores. In addition, the applicant’s goals statement should relate to the research interests of at least one faculty member in the program and include the names of two faculty members who may be suitable as advisors or supervisory committee members. To apply, prospective students should forward to the COS Fairfax Campus Graduate Admissions Processing Center a completed Mason graduate application including the goals statement, and two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student’s undergraduate major. TOEFL scores are required of all international applicants.

Degree Requirements


Students must satisfy all requirements for doctoral degrees expressed in the Academic Policies  section of this catalog.

The curriculum for the Neuroscience PhD consists of 72 credits: 48 credits of course work and 24 credits of dissertation research. The 48-credit requirement may be reduced by up to 30 credits for a qualified student holding a previous relevant master’s degree. Alternatively, up to 24 credits of previous, relevant graduate course work may be transferred into the program provided those credits have not been applied toward a previous degree. Additional requirements for graduation include a dissertation and at least one publication (in print or in press) in a refereed journal.

Core Science (9 credits):


Rotations and Readings (9 credits):


 taken three times:

Electives (18 credits):


  • 18 credits of electives

Seminar (1 credit):


Dissertation Research (24 credits):


Note: No more than 24 combined credits from NEUR 998 and NEUR 999 may be applied toward satisfying doctoral degree requirements, with no more than 12 credits of NEUR 998.

Advancement to Candidacy


When course work is nearing completion, the student should form a doctoral committee and start preparing their dissertation proposal. The doctoral candidacy examination includes written and oral components. After passing the candidacy exam and receiving committee approval for the dissertation proposal, the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation


After advancing to candidacy, the student works on his or her doctoral dissertation while enrolled in NEUR 999. The student is expected to make an original and significant contribution to the field worthy of publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The doctoral committee reviews the dissertation and examines the student in a public oral thesis defense. The degree will be awarded upon completion of the required course work and successful defense of the thesis.

Total: 72 credits