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Course Requirements for Ph.D. Degree

Registration Requirements

Research & Thesis Credits

Laboratory Rotations

Teaching Requirements/Opportunities

Seminars

Examinations

Evaluation of Student's Progress

Termination of Student Status/Support

Stipend

Graduate School

Neuroscience Minor (for Students Majoring in Other Fields)

A. Course Requirements for the Ph.D. degree

The following requirements and procedures are specified for typical students.
Certain exceptions can be made with the consent of the adviser and Director of Graduate Studies. See: PhD Checklist for a complete description of the Graduate School requirements from initial registration to graduation.

Core Curriculum
First-year students must take the eight core courses listed below, plus the four required laboratory rotations. The coursework schedule for the first year is as follows:

Summer Session:
NSc 5551: Cell & Molecular Neurobiology Lab at Itasca (4 cr)

Fall Semester
NSc 5461: Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience (4 cr)
NSc 5561: Systems Neuroscience (4 cr)
NSc 8334: Lab Neuroscience (variable cr)
NSc 8321: Career Skills and Understanding Responsibilities as a Neuroscientist (.5 cr)

Spring Semester
NSc 5661: Behavioral Neuroscience (3 cr)
NSc 8211: Developmental Neurobiology (3 cr)
NSc 8334: Lab Neuroscience (variable cr)
NSc 8321: Career Skills and Understanding Responsibilities as a Neuroscientist (.5 cr)
NSc 8320: Neuroscience Seminar Series Journal Club (Section 2)
Register for Journal Club for 1 credit and S-N grading basis

NSc 8320 Course requirement

• All neuroscience graduate students will be required to take two semesters of the journal club. It is a required "core" course . First year students will take the course in the Spring term. The remaining semester requirement must be fulfilled in the Spring term of the second or third year of the student's studies.

Additional coursework that may be necessary during the first year includes:
a. At least one semester of Biochemistry and Cell Biology is strongly recommended for NSc 5461
b. A statistics course is required.

Supporting Program or Minor
The Graduate School requires that students complete 12 credits in a minor or supporting program. Typical minors for neuroscience students include cell biology, physiology, statistics, psychology, and medicine; the latter minor is primarily reserved for students in the MD/PhD program. However, the student is not restricted to these topics, and is free to explore other possibilities depending on his/her interests and career ambitions. A supporting program can be designed to fit a student's specific research interests. Courses in the minor or supporting area may be taken concurrently with neuroscience courses during the first year, but are usually taken during the second year. A course in statistics is required. All students are encouraged to become literate in at least one computer language. If a student elects to complete a specific minor, all of the 12 credits must be from a single graduate program and the courses selected must be approved by the DGS of that graduate program. If the supporting program option is selected, the courses may be from different disciplines, but should constitute a coherent program of courses that support the overall interests of the student.

B. Registration Requirement

All graduate students are required to r egister for 6-14 credits in the Graduate School every fall and spring term in order to maintain active status until they have passed the oral preliminary exam and completed 24 thesis credits (NSc 8888). Register for pre-thesis credits (NSc 8666) to achieve a minimum requirement of 6 credits. Students who fail to register annually will be considered to have withdrawn and will have to apply for readmission (application fee: $40.00).

Students are not required to register for courses in the summer, and registration during summer is not required to maintain health insurance coverage. Indeed, NEVER register for any credits during the summer without prior discussion with the program coordinator and your advisor. Please be aware that FICA taxes will be taken from the paycheck during summer. If a student registers for any credits during the summer, student services fees are charged. Furthermore, tuition benefits are not available during the summer. Thus you or your advisor will be responsible for the full t uition and fees incurred during a summer term. [This directive is based on evidence that the amount of FICA tax for the summer period is usually less than the amount of the tuition and student service fees.]

C. Research and Thesis Credits

1. Research Credits
After the first year, but prior to completion of the preliminary oral examination, students should continue to register for research credit under NSc 8666. This course reflects research training activity and permits the student to maintain a credit load of six credits required to qualify for a research assistantship and maintain status as a full time student.

2. Thesis Credits
To obtain a Ph.D. degree, students must register for a minimum of 24 thesis credits (NSc 8888). The Graduate School will not permit students to register for Doctoral thesis credits until the semester after the preliminary oral examination has been completed.

3. Post Thesis Credits
Upon completion of 24 thesis credits you should register for NSc 8444, which entitles you to full time registration for only 1 credit. Note: Once you register for this you course you can no longer register for any other courses. You will also need to complete an Application for Advanced Doctoral Status Form.

D. Laboratory Rotations

In the first year of graduate studies, students participate in four laboratory rotations. Assignments depend on space availability and the interests of the individual students. Students should discuss their choices for rotation advisers with the DGS prior to selecting each laboratory rotation. Students should make their selections well before the beginning of the semester to allow time for any arrangements that need to be made by the faculty.
Laboratory rotations allow students to experience the broadest possible spectrum of laboratory techniques and to explore experimental neuroscience in actual research settings. An important program goal is to emphasize the major requirement for a successful graduate education: the ability to plan and coordinate several efforts by balancing coursework and research. Research projects in different labs will be designed as components of current research projects. Consequently, the research results will be weighted equally with the experience gained by the students.

Typically, when not in class, students are expected to be involved in their research projects. It is expected that a minimum of 20 hours per week will be devoted to research projects. First-year students should register for NSc 8334 (section 1) and each project will be graded S/N. The comments by the research supervisor will become a part of the student's file.

E. Teaching Requirements/Opportunities

Revised TA requirement: Approved by the steering committee of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience on June 29, 2005.

1. Maintain requirement of students in GPN to TA one course, but expand the TA opportunities to include 3 undergraduate Neuroscience courses
   
2. List a total of 12 (13) TA opportunities
   1. 8 current (9 requested) slots for undergraduate neuroscience courses
   2. 4 slots for Human Neuroscience course with each TA doing each lab twice (e.g., each 2 hr lab, twice, reduces TAs in this course from 8 to 4).
   3. Student preferences for a TA assignment will be considered, but not guaranteed
      
3. Students still complete the TA requirement in their 2nd year.
   
4. There may be 2 opportunities for students to TA a second semester if they choose:
   1. Students can arrange a mentorship with one of the course faculty for credit for PFF8102. They will function as a TA in the course and will be mentored in giving 3 lectures (course requirement). They will not be paid.
   2. If TA positions are not filled by students completing the TA requirement and students enrolled in PFF8102, the Department of Neuroscience will offer a "fellowship" ($2000) to students who choose to TA additional semesters and not receive credit in the PFF program.

F. Seminars

Students are expected to attend the Wednesday noon Colloquia sponsored by the Neuroscience Graduate Program and the Friday noon seminars cosponsored by the Program and the Department. Seminars include professional development seminars as well as research presentations. Students are strongly encouraged to attend seminars in other areas/departments that may interest them.

G. Examinations

There are three examinations required for the Ph.D. degree: the Written Preliminary Examination, the Preliminary Oral Examination, and the Final Oral Examination with Thesis Defense.

1. Written Preliminary Examination

A qualifying written examination for candidates for the Ph.D. in Neuroscience will be given once during the year. The examination is usually scheduled for mid-June. All candidates will take the written examination after the completion of their first year's coursework. Instructions for the exam as well as a copy of the previous year's exam will be distributed to first-year students in during the spring semester. Spring review sessions are held to assist students in preparation for the exam. Because of the magnitude of work involved in the organization and preparation of this exam, requests for deviation from the above schedule must be submitted in writing by the student to the DGS, and should be considered only for medical reasons or family crises.

Procedures for Grading and Evaluating
GPN Preliminary Written Examinations

1. Two graders will independently evaluate each question and assign grades of Outstanding, Pass, or Fail. The final grade for each question will be determined according to the following rules:
   
   1. Two grades of Outstanding-Outstanding, Pass-Pass or Fail-Fail will be assigned the grade of Outstanding, Pass, or Fail for that question.
   2. A grade of Outstanding-Pass will be assigned a grade of Pass.
   3. A single Fail for a question, rather than both graders giving a question a Fail, requires that the graders consult each other and agree on a grade of Pass or Fail. Sabina will note the discrepancy and will ask them to review the question. If the graders cannot resolve the situation or if they request additional help, the Curriculum Committee will assist in the grading.
      
2. If student fails a SINGLE question in ONE or MORE SECTIONS of the examination
   
   1. Student passes that particular section(s) of the examination.
   2. No further remedial work is required.
      
3. If student fails TWO or MORE questions in a SINGLE SECTION of the examination.
   
   1. Student fails that particular section of the examination.
   2. Subsequent course of action depends on previous academic performance.
   3. If student received grade of B- or better in relevant core
      course , then
      1. Student will consult with course director.
      2. Student will independently review entire field of core course.
      3. Student will re-write all failed questions.
      4. Student will also answer those questions previously chosen not to be answered.
      5. All answers must be submitted during current calendar year.
      6. Answers will be evaluated by course director and designated readers.
      7. No subsequent re-writes will be allowed.
      8. If student fails any questions, then student will be given oral examination by course director, designees, and student's advisor.
      9. If student fails oral examination, then the decision of the Steering Committee would most likely result in termination.
   4. If the student received a grade below a B- in the core course related to failed section, then
      1. Student should be required to retake relevant course.
      2. If student achieves grade of B or better in the re-take then student passes exam.
      3. If student receives a grade below B in retake, then the decision of the Steering Committee would most likely result in termination.
         
4. If student misses TWO or MORE questions in TWO or MORE sections of the examination.
   
   1. Student has failed the examination.
   2. The student and advisor will petition the Steering Committee for continuation in the GPN.
   3. The Steering Committee will consider the petition and decide a course of action based on performance in all classes, rotations and other work.
      1. Student may be required to undertake the courses of action listed in Section B above.
      2. Student may be terminated from the program.
   4. If the Steering Committee chooses the first action above, the Committee will decide the deadline for satisfactory completion.

B. A research proposal will form the basis of the research discussion of the exam.

The proposal may be aligned with or separate from the thesis, but the program encourages them to be linked. The proposal is not a binding document but an exercise in analytical thinking and problem solving skills that will be tested in the oral examination.
The research proposal describes experiments that will test a hypothesis. The hypothesis answers a question that is posed about the nervous system. The description of the research plan may range in length from10 - 20 pages, double spaced, 1" margins, 12 pt font (the page limit for an NRSA proposal is 10 pages, single spaced). The proposal should include the following (suggested lengths in pages are proportional to the 10 page length):

1. Abstract: 1 paragraph, an overview of the rationale for the hypothesis, statement of the hypothesis, and the experiments that will be conducted to address the hypothesis.

2. Background (up to 6 pages): a summary of the relevant information that provides the rationale for the question that is posed about the nervous system and the hypothesis that will be tested. It is not meant to be exhaustive. This section should convince the reader that the hypothesis is reasonable and important. (This section can provide the foundation for the introductory chapter to the thesis.)

3. Experiments: (2-3 pages) a description of the experiments that will be conducted. It may be useful to think of the experiments as questions that will be answered to accumulate evidence that will support or refute the hypothesis. The design of the experiments should include an outline of the essential controls, the nature of the data that will be analyzed statistically, and how outcomes will be interpreted. A step-by-step description of experimental protocols is not appropriate.

4. Significance: (1 page): This section addresses the importance of the conclusions that may be made based on the data generated in the proposed experiments.

5. Literature cited: Consult the Journal of Neuroscience instructions for authors for a recommended format for citations.

The application may be written anytime before the deadline of September 1 (see below). No written description of preliminary data is required. Preliminary data available at the time of the oral preliminary exam may be included in the oral presentation by the student at the beginning of the exam.

The advisor is expected to be involved in discussing the research plan and editing at least one draft of the proposal as part of his/her mentorship. This is not a conflict of interest because passing the oral exam is not dependent on the written document but on the student's performance in defending an hypothesis and how it will be tested (i.e., rationale, experimental design, significance of the research plan).

NOTE: In preparing the research proposal, the student and advisor should consider submitting the proposal for funding by NIH or NSF. The research description for these applications (generally up to 10 pages single spaced) may be used for the oral preliminary exam research proposal. Please consult the following websites for more information:

Ruth L. Kirschstein-NRSA (F31) application are due April 5th, August 5th and December 5th. See http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/416/phs416.htm for details.

NSF fellowship applications in the life sciences are due the first week in November (e.g., 11/4/2004) no later than the student's second year of graduate studies. See http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2003/nsf03050/nsf03050.htm for details.

C. All research proposals are due in the graduate program office by 4 PM on September 1st of the student's third year in the graduate program (i.e., at the beginning of the student's third year). If September 1st falls on a weekend, proposals will be due by 4 PM of the Friday before this date. The following information must be included with submission of the proposal:

Names of the members of the oral prelim committee. Members are proposed by the student and advisor and approved by the DGS before September 1st or at least 10 weeks before your oral prelim. The chair of the committee must be a member of the graduate faculty in Neuroscience and may not be the advisor. Other members must include a minimum of 2 members of the neuroscience graduate program and 1 member from the minor/supporting field.

The exam must be completed by December 1st of the student's third year in order for the student to remain in good standing in the graduate program. If December 1st falls on a weekend, the exam must be completed no later than the Friday before this date. A student may petition the director of graduate studies for a waiver of this requirement.

D. Time, date and location of the oral prelim exam. The time and place of the exam are scheduled by the student, and the student must notify the graduate school. Three weeks are required between notification of the graduate school and the date of the exam so that the graduate school can process paperwork for the exam

E. Role of the Oral Prelim Committee following the exam. (changes to the current process are in italics)

The chair of the oral prelim committee will provide written feedback to the student summarizing committee discussion of the research proposal after the oral exam.

In addition to serving as the examining committee for the oral prelim, it is expected that this committee will be an advising committee for the student during the course of his/her dissertation research and will meet with the student at least twice/year. Each meeting will be scheduled by the student. The student will write a summary of comments from each meeting with the thesis committee and distribute the summary to the committee members within one week following the meeting.

3. Final Ph.D. Oral Examination

The Ph.D. Thesis Proposal Form (GS 63abc) should be filed with the Graduate School no later than one Semester after a student passes the preliminary oral examination and at least one term prior to the Final Oral Exam.

The form is available at: www.grad.umn.edu/current_students/forms/GS63A.PDF

This form specifies the graduate faculty who will serve as examiners for the final oral examining committee. In most cases, this committee will be the same as the Oral Exam Committee. This form also specifies three members who will serve as reviewers of the thesis. Two reviewers, including the adviser, are selected from the major field. One reviewer must also be selected to represent the minor or supporting program. This person must have a graduate faculty appointment outside of the Neuroscience Program. These members read the thesis draft and must sign a form indicating that it is acceptable for defense at least one week prior to the scheduled date of the final oral examination. Again it is up to the student to find an appropriate date and room, and to make sure sufficient time is allowed for the readers to examine the thesis. Graduate school rules specify that all members of the committee must have at least two weeks to read the thesis. This examination is primarily the thesis defense, although the questions and discussion may cover related areas as well. The first portion of all final oral examinations is a seminar given by the student covering the thesis research. This seminar must be publicly announced and all interested faculty and students are invited. Therefore it is important that the student and adviser notify the Neuroscience Program of the defense in a timely manner so that the thesis seminar can be properly advertised. As is stated in the Graduate School Bulletin, the thesis seminar presentation is the part of the oral examination "to which the scholarly community is invited." Following a brief period of questions from the audience, the second portion of the examination will consist of additional questions to the candidate from the members of the examination committee. The second section of the examination is not open to the public.

Questions often arise about the role of the reviewers and the interpretation of the reviewers' actions prior to the oral examination. The reviewers determine whether the thesis is acceptable for defense. If the thesis is judged to be not acceptable for defense, specific reasons will be communicated to the student. If acceptable, the reader has judged that the thesis is ready for oral defense - and only that. The reviewer may have reservations and after the oral examination vote not to pass the candidate for the Ph.D. degree. Again, these reasons should be communicated to the student. The Graduate School Bulletin provides further detailed information 10 regarding the final oral exam. The student should prepare a copy of the bound thesis for the Neuroscience Program files.

H. Evaluation of Student’s Progress

Normal progress toward the Ph.D. degree by full-time graduate students is based on fulfillment of the following general minimum requirements.

1. Selection of the thesis problem and adviser during the first year.
2. Maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.
3. Performing satisfactorily on the written preliminary exam.
4. Passing the oral preliminary examination within one to one and one half years after successful completion of the written preliminary exam.
5. Performing all teaching assignments and other program functions satisfactorily.
6. Following the completion of the oral exam, students must meet annually with their Graduate Committee. The meeting must occur by the end of Spring semester each year.
7. Starting the 3rd year students must give a ½ - 1 hour oral presentation during the Wednesday NSc colloquium.

As a general rule, all requirements for the Ph.D. in Neuroscience should be completed in 4 - 5 1/2 years. Although the Graduate School time limit for the Ph.D. degree is five years after the oral preliminary examination, the Neuroscience faculty views this limit as excessive. It is the joint responsibility of the student, the adviser and the Graduate Committee to set goals for completion of each individual's program and to periodically evaluate the rate of progress and achievement of these goals. It is of particular importance that the student assume an active role in this process and seek assistance from the adviser and Graduate Committee if unforeseen professional or personal circumstances appear to be substantially changing the rate of progress for attaining the Ph.D. degree.

Termination of Graduate Student Status and/or Support
1. Graduation or withdrawal from the program.
Upon graduation, students should notify the program office of the effective date for termination of student status. Students who decide to withdraw from the program should give written notice to the Director of Graduate Studies as soon as the decision has been made. The notice should indicate the effective date of withdrawal. In instances where students have effectively withdrawn from the program without notice, the department will terminate support retroactive to the apparent date the student ceased to participate in the program.

2. Termination of graduate status
The Graduate School and Neuroscience Program require that one warning be issued to the student regarding unsatisfactory performance before that student is terminated. The warning must include the specific deficiencies and must outline a mechanism and time limit for correcting them. Students must have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher after 3 semesters of residence in order to remain in the program. Thereafter the cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher at the end of the spring semester of each year and prior to graduation. A satisfactory performance on the written preliminary examination is also required for continuation in the program.

3. Academic misconduct
Academic misconduct (such as cheating on closed book examinations) or violation of course guidelines (which describe the extent of collaboration that is acceptable in responding to take-home examinations, homework assignments or problem sets) is sufficient cause for dismissal from the program. Please refer to the Student Conduct Code for more information on this issue http://www.policy.umn.edu/Policies/Research/ACADEMICMISCONDUCT.html.

J. Stipend

The current stipend for beginning graduate students can be seen here and is corresponding to a 50% appointment. In addition to the stipend, students receive full tuition and health benefits. The stipend may be supplemented if a student serves as a Teaching Assistant in a certain courses course, see www.neurosci.umn.edu/employment/job_TA.html

K. Graduate School Procedures

Active student status: Students must register in the Graduate School the semester in which they are admitted or readmitted. To maintain active student status, students must register in the Graduate School every fall and spring Semester.

Commencement: Graduate School commencement ceremonies are held in fall and spring semesters. Students who wish to participate in commencement should contact the Graduate School one Semester in advance of the ceremony.

Required G.S. Forms:

These forms are available online at: www.grad.umn.edu/Current_Students/degree_completion/doctoral/index.html

Written Preliminary Examination Report (GS 17):
This form is completed by the program after completion of the preliminary written exam.

Degree Program Forms (GS 89a, 89b, 89c):
Due at least 1 semester before the preliminary oral. The Program will file this form for each student.

Oral Preliminary Examination Report (GS 18):
Due at least one academic semester (or 10 weeks) before the final oral examination.

Preliminary Oral Examination Scheduling:
Effective November 24, 2009:*

Doctoral preliminary oral examinations must be scheduled using the electronic process. - Because paper Preliminary Oral Examination Scheduling forms (GS 12) cannot be used after November 24 please destroy copies you may already have obtained from the Graduate School's Web site, your graduate program office, or the GSSP office. *How the electronic exam-scheduling process works:* - Schedule your preliminary oral exam with your committee members by following your graduate program's existing scheduling protocol. - Schedule your preliminary oral exam with the GSSP office at least one week in advance. - The electronic scheduling process *must be initiated by you*. To do this, click on the Preliminary Oral Examination Scheduling link listed on GSSP's doctoral forms http://www.grad.umn.edu/current_students/forms/doctoral.html Web page. - Once at the Preliminary Oral Examination Scheduling http://www.grad.umn.edu/current_students/prelimschedule/ page, click on the link to schedule the exam, and log in using your Internet ID http://onestop.umn.edu/non-degree/initiate_your_internet_account.html and password. - Enter your preliminary oral examination date and click “submit.” - The GSSP office will notify you by e-mail of any outstanding preliminary oral exam requirements and how to fulfill them. You will also receive a confirmation when the Graduate School authorizes the preliminary oral examination. - Your DGS assistant will now automatically be copied on the above-mentioned communications so that your graduate program office is informed of the Graduate School's review and authorization of your preliminary oral exam.

Thesis Proposal Forms (GS 63a, 63b, 63c):
Due the semester after passing the preliminary oral examination and at least one term prior to the Final Oral Exam.

Thesis Reviewer's Report (GS 2):
Received when thesis title page is submitted to 316 Johnston at least two weeks before the final oral examination . This form is due one week before the final examination. Application for Degree and fee are due the first working day of intended month of graduation.

All other forms are due the last working day of that month.

Additional forms given to the student at this time:
Survey of Earned Doctorates
Microfilm Agreement
Application for Degree

Graduation Information
Thesis and Thesis Abstract:
A copy of the thesis must be submitted to the Graduate School. Instructions for the preparation of the thesis, including format specifications and adviser's signature requirements, should be obtained from the Graduate School, 316 Johnston Hall.

Furthermore, the Graduate Program in Neuroscience requires a bound copy of the thesis.

L. Neuroscience Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields
The program for an individual student is developed by consultation between the
student and the DGS of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. Students are required to take one of the following core courses.

Function/Structure: NSc 5561: Systems Neuroscience (4 credits)
Cellular/Molecular: NSc 5461: Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience (4 credits)

In addition, students are required to take elective neuroscience courses for a total minimum of 12 credits (including the core courses).

Important Note: NSc 5561 requires that you be registered concurrently in NSc 5461, or that you have taken an undergraduate neuroscience course such as NSci 3101.

NSc 5461 requires that you have taken undergraduate courses in cell biology and biochemistry. We recognize that students who lack the prerequisites may nevertheless wish to minor in Neuroscience. If you do not have the undergraduate preparation, it is important that you consult with the DGS early in your graduate career to develop a plan of study. Such a plan would most likely take the following form:

YEAR 1: Fall or Spring Semester - preparatory course (2 or 3 cr)

YEAR 2: Fall Semester - NSc 5561 and/or NSc 5461 (4 to 8 cr), Spring Semester -Electives