Course Information

This is survey course that stresses the development of critical thinking skills while covering major topics in integrative Neuroscience.  This course is mandatory for first year Neuroscience students. The course is team taught by members of the Neuroscience Program. In each class one or more research articles are discussed in a Socratic style requiring student participation. Grading is based on student participation in class discussions, an oral presentation of a research article and a written assignment.

The objectives of this advanced graduate level neuroscience course are:

A) To provide a forum for discussion on the types of experimental models and data analyses used in neuroscience research.
B) To teach students critical thinking skills of how to review, criticize, write, discuss and present experimental results.
C) To provide an overview of current topics in integrative neuroscience. 

A weekly series of talks by students and by invited experts in neuroscience from outside the university (about monthly). Students will be required to enroll in this course in each academic year of their full-time enrollment. The course will include presentations by all students registered in the program, in which each individual presents an annual update on their graduate research.

The comprehensive examination must be undertaken within the first 18 months of registration in the PhD program. The purpose of the Comprehensive Exam is to evaluate the student’s knowledge of his field of research and related fields, the ability to critically reflect on different experimental approaches, to link different concepts and to conduct research at the level of a PhD student. There are two alternative forms of comprehensive examination that each student can choose from in consultation with the supervisor and advisory committee.

Option 1: a Classic Comprehensive Examination or Option 2: a Grant Writing Exercise.  

Full details on the Comprehensive exams can be viewed by clicking here.

The following neuroscience-related courses are offered by various departments, however, not always in the current academic year. You must contact each department to obtain information on courses currently being offered. This list is not exclusive. Additional courses may be included from other disciplines such as biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, or mathematics.