The Graduate Program in Neuroscience

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Studies Program in Neuroscience. The Graduate Studies Program is administered by The Institute for Neuroscience, which serves as a campus-wide umbrella organization responsible for the Graduate Program in Neuroscience as well as for research and teaching activities related to the neurosciences. The Program is multidisciplinary with more than 68 participating faculty from 12 departments on campus. The Program is designed to achieve three primary goals:

• First, the program provides a broad-based exposure to the various areas of neuroscience.
• Second, it offers students the opportunity to pursue research in the area and laboratory of their choice. The research programs available to students encompass the entire spectrum of neuroscience so that any student can find a research program to match his or her particular interest (visit the Research Areas page).
• Third, the program provides a supportive environment, so that he or she will be successful in their graduate careers and enjoy themselves during this formative period of their scientific careers.
  

In addition to the regular graduate program, the Institute for Neuroscience offers an MD-PhD degree in Neuroscience in conjunction with the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.  Students admitted into this dual-degree program undergo medical training at UTMB and then transfer to UT-Austin to complete their graduate work. Please contact the Graduate Advisor John Mihic or the Graduate Coordinator Krystal Phu and the UTMB MD-PhD dual degree program website at http://www.mdphd.utexas.edu for more information on this exciting and innovative new program.

The Neuroscience Graduate Program

The training offered by the Program consists of course work and laboratory experience. The course work required of all graduate students is a two-semester Principles of Neuroscience course, taught by faculty members of the Institute for Neuroscience, and a graduate level statistics course. Other elective courses are individually chosen by the student in consultation with their mentor and the Graduate Advisor. Information about how each student can obtain research experience and how to go about choosing a laboratory in which to conduct their dissertation research is given below.

Students in the Neuroscience Graduate Program take a Qualifying Exam near the end of their second year in the Program. Upon successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, students choose their Dissertation Committee, submit a proposal for dissertation research and apply for Ph.D. Candidacy. The focus then becomes almost entirely on the research that culminates in earning their Ph.D.

To ensure that each student is progressing well, and to help with any problems that might arise, a Progressions Committee monitors the progress of each student and meets regularly with them during the first and second years of graduate school. The Progressions Committee is always available to graduate students. The Committee continues to monitor the progress of each student following their admission to candidacy, but will not have regular meetings with advanced students unless a problem arises.

What types of financial support are available?

Students admitted to the Graduate Program are provided with financial support for 12 months. The support can come from Institute for Neuroscience Fellowships, University Fellowships, Training Grants, Research Assistantships or Teaching Assistantships. Support is for at least five years, assuming students are in good standing in terms of research and coursework. For more information about the different types of financial support available, click here.

What are my choices for obtaining laboratory experience and choosing a laboratory where I will conduct my dissertation research?

Research experience is obtained under the guidance of a mentor in his or her laboratory. Incoming students choose a laboratory where they can begin to learn research techniques during their first semester in the program. The initial choice of a laboratory is intended to get each student started on research, and may or may not be the laboratory in which they conduct their dissertation research. As explained below, students can choose from a number of options for deciding upon the laboratory in which they will ultimately conduct their dissertation research. All incoming students are encouraged to become familiar with the full range of research projects being conducted by members of the Institute. To help students learn about the research opportunities available to them, an informal program is held in September or early October of each year. The program is designed to enable students to meet and talk with each member of the Institute. In addition, each Institute member will explain the research in his or her laboratory through a short presentation.

Can I obtain research experience in my first year through Laboratory Rotations?

Yes! Rotations in 2-3 laboratories are required of all students supported by an Institute for Neuroscience Fellowship. Students supported by University Fellowships, teaching assistantships and some training grants can also opt to rotate through 2 or more laboratories during their first year of graduate school. Rotations allow students to experience the types of research and the methods of training offered in different laboratories during their first year. Through rotations, students gain both the information and experience they need to make a considered choice about the mentor with whom they will conduct their dissertation research.

Can I contact a professor before I apply?

If there is one or a few members of the Institute whose research interests you, feel free to contact them: we encourage it! The email address of each Institute member is given in the Faculty-by alphabetical order page. You can ask them about their research, how they train their students, or inquire about any other issue that you would like to know about.

How do I apply?

It’s easy! Just click here.