Neuroscience, interdisciplinary doctoral curricula with Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology Ph.D. programs
Bigbee, John W., Ph.D.
Graduate Program Director and Recruitment Contact
jbigbee@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0948
The graduate program in neuroscience at VCU is an interdisciplinary curriculum involving the departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology and Biophysics. To obtain a sound background in neuroscience, students complete required core courses covering neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, and a series of electives. The curriculum also includes laboratory rotations and research seminars. Once a dissertation adviser is selected from an interdepartmental roster, the student completes his or her degree in the adviser’s home department. The goal of the graduate program in neuroscience is to provide students with a core of knowledge of the basic structure and function of the central nervous system, while allowing flexibility in the choice of their advisers, electives and areas of research specialization. Written and oral comprehensive exams and the preparation of a research proposal are required to advance to candidacy. Completion of an original research dissertation is required to successfully complete the Ph.D. degree.
Curriculum
Course plan for full-time student
credits |
|
| Fall 1 | |
| ANAT 690 Anatomy and Neurobiology Seminar or PHTX 690 Pharmacology Research Seminar | 1 |
| ANAT, PHIS, PHTX or BIOC 697 Directed Research (laboratory rotations) | 4 |
| BIOC/MICR 503 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| PHIS 501 Mammalian Physiology | 5 |
| Spring 1 | |
| ANAT 610 Systems Neuroscience | 5 |
| ANAT 690 Anatomy and Neurobiology Seminar or PHTX 690 Pharmacology Research Seminar |
1 |
| ANAT, PHIS, PHTX or BIOC 697 Directed Research (laboratory rotations) | 4 |
| BIOC/MICR 504 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| Summer 1 | |
| Directed research with thesis adviser | 6 |
| Fall 2 | |
| ANAT 690 Anatomy and Neurobiology Seminar or PHTX 690 Pharmacology Research Seminar | 1 |
| MICR 510 Scientific Integrity | 1 |
| PHTX/ANAT/PHIS/NEUS 509 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | 4 |
| Advanced electives | |
| Research credits | |
| Spring 2 | |
| ANAT 615 Techniques in Neuroscience and Cell Biology | 2 |
| ANAT 620 Scientific Writing and Grantsmanship | 2 |
| ANAT 690 Anatomy and Neurobiology Seminar or PHTX 690 Pharmacology Research Seminar | 1 |
| Advanced elective | |
| Research credits | |
| Years 3 – 5 | |
| Completion of dissertation research in adviser’s laboratory |