Neuroscience Ph.D. - Curriculum
The first two years provides a common foundation in neuroscience and research methodology. In addition, students engage themselves in the elements of research, begin to take electives, and attend a series of seminars covering neuroscience at GMU. The third and fourth years focus primarily on research performed in a laboratory at or affiliated with Mason. Students are expected to continue their studies in the summer, registering for NEUR 703, NEUR 998 or NEUR 999. The degree will be awarded upon completion of the required course work and approval of a Ph.D. thesis that makes an original and significant contribution to the field of Neuroscience.
For detailed information on courses, see Catalog Descriptions. For additional information on class schedules, or CoS Forms and Policies, see CoS Academics
Fundamental Course Requirements
| NEUR 601 | Introduction to Neurobiology | 2 |
| NEUR 602 | Cellular Neuroscience | 3 |
| NEUR 603 | Mammalian Neurobiology | 3 |
| NEUR 604 | Ethics in Scientific Research | 3 |
| STAT 535 | Statistics | 3 |
| NEUR 701 | Neurophysiology Laboratory | 2 |
| NEUR 702 | Research Methods | 3 |
| NEUR 703 | Rotations and Readings | 9 |
| NEUR 709 | Neuroscience@GMU | 1 |
| Total Required Courses | 29 | |
| Electives/research | 19 | |
| Dissertation proposal and research | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 72 |
Program of Study
The program of study for the first two years is developed in consultation with the students temporary advisor, and depends on the student's background. The following prototype schedules guidelines for full time students, and indicates which semester courses are offered. The student's tentative schedule should be written on Neuro Form 1, and a copy provided to Melissa Hayes and Kim Blackwell.
Prototype Schedule 1| FIRST YEAR: Fall | Spring |
| NEUR 601 NEUR 602 NEUR 709 Remedial Bio/Chem or elective |
NEUR 603 NEUR 604 Remedial bio/Chem or NEUR 703 |
| SECOND YEAR: Fall | Spring |
| NEUR 702 Psyc 611 or alternative NEUR 703 or elective |
NEUR 701 elective NEUR 703 or 2nd elective |
| FIRST YEAR: Fall | Spring |
| NEUR 601 NEUR 602 NEUR 709 Remedial Bio/Chem or elective |
NEUR 603 NEUR 703 Remedial bio/Chem or elective |
| SECOND YEAR: Fall | Spring |
| NEUR 702 Psyc 611 or alternative NEUR 703 or elective |
NEUR 701 NEUR 604 NEUR 703 or elective |
Qualifying Exam and Advancement to Candidacy:
procedures and paper workDissertation
Awarding of the PhD requires completion of the dissertation, which assessment is guided by (but not limited to) the dissertation rubric. In addition, public presentation of dissertation research is required, and is assessed using the oral rubric. Once dissertation is successfully defended, students must complete and submit Neuro form 7. See cos.gmu.edu/academics/graduate/forms for additional information on graduation requirements. Pay particular attention to the timeline for intention to graduate, pre-defense, and final submission of disseration.
Electives of particular interest to Neuroscience students include:
- BINF 690 Numerical Methods
- BINF 739 Biochemical and Cellular Models
- BINF 740 Introduction to biophysics
- BINF 741 Introduction to biomolecular simulations
- BIOS 682 Advanced Eukaryotic Cell Biology
- BIOS 704 Topics in Biosciences
- BIOS 744 Molecular Genetics
- BIOS 898 Directed Studies in Biosciences
- CS 580 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- CS 682 Computer Vision
- CSI 702 High Performance Computing
- CSI 703 Scientific and Statistical Visualization
- CSI 710 Scientific Databases
- CSI 741 Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
- CSI 742 The Mathematics of the Finite Element Method
- CSI 744 Linear and Nonlinear Modeling in the Natural Sciences
- ECE 590 Topics in Neural Engineering
- ECON 895 Neuroeconomics
- MATH 789 Mathematical biology: Dynamical Neuroscience
- NEUR 689 Topics in Neuroscience
- NEUR 710 Special topics in Neuroscience
- NEUR 734 Computational Neurobiology
- NEUR 735 Computational Neuroscience Systems
- NEUR 741 Introduction to Neuroimaging
- NEUR 742 Cognitive Neuroscience
- NEUR 751 Applied Dynamics in Neuroscience
- NEUR 851 Advanced Computation and Brain Dynamics
- NEUR 996 Directed Readings and Research
- PHIL 774 Current Issues in Cognitive Sciences
- PSYC 530 Cognitive Engineering
- PSYC 552 Histology of the Rodent Brain
- PYSC 556 Chemistry and the Brain
- PSYC 558 Neuronal Bases of Learning & Memory
- PSYC 559 Behavioral Chemistry
- PSYC 592 Trends in Modern Neuroscience
- PSYC 592 Computational Neuroanatomy
- PSYC 685 Cognitive Neuroscience
- PSYC 702 Biological Bases of Human Behavior
- PSYC 892 Computer programing for Experimental Psychology