A&S—Neuroscience
The Center for Neuroscience (CNUP) Graduate Training Program is an interschool PhD degree-granting program offered cooperatively by the School of Medicine and the School of Arts and Sciences. Neuroscience is the study of the structure and function of the nervous system. The field has emerged during the past two decades as a separate discipline, much as biochemistry and endocrinology became separate disciplines within the biomedical sciences in earlier decades. Rapid growth of this multidisciplinary field has made the study of mind and brain one of the most exciting scientific enterprises of our time.
Understanding the nervous system provides key insights into human nature as well as treatments for a host of devastating neurological and psychiatric disorders. Our program introduces students to the fundamental issues and experimental approaches in neuroscience and trains them in the theory and practice of laboratory research.
Research interests of the CNUP training faculty focus on several prominent themes:
- Behavioral/systems/cognitive
- Cell and molecular
- Development/plasticity/repair
- Neurobiology of disease
The field of neuroscience attracts people from many different disciplines in the natural sciences. The CNUP is a campus-wide organization that promotes research and related academic activities in our large neuroscience community, and one of the center’s defining characteristics is the strong interaction among its members. Many CNUP scientists work on interdisciplinary projects that span one or more thematic areas and often entail formal or informal collaboration among center members. Please visit the CNUP Web site for our list of research concentration areas involving groups of CNUP scientists.
Training is also available for a master's degree through the Department of Neuroscience in the School of Arts and Sciences. It is important to note that this is a departmental program rather than a component of CNUP. Thus, training is only available with faculty with primary or secondary appointments in the Department of Neuroscience. Applicants must also arrange for a faculty sponsor before their application will be considered. A more detailed explanation of the program requirements is available on the Department of Neuroscience Web site at www.neuroscience.pitt.edu.
Contact Information
- Graduate Program Coordinator
- 446 Crawford Hall
- 412-624-5043
- Fax: 412-624-9198
- E-mail: blaney@bns.pitt.edu
- cnup.neurobio.pitt.edu/training/phd/admissions.aspx
Admission Requirements and Procedures
Students are admitted into the CNUP training program on the assumption that they will be able to meet all requirements for the PhD degree. Those that are selected show evidence of a high level of intellectual talent, a strong interest in neuroscience, and a commitment to scholarship and research.
Admission decisions are based on many factors including the candidate's
statement of interest and goals in the field of neuroscience, evidence
of research experience and accomplishment, letters of recommendation,
test scores, grades, and personal interviews. An outstanding record
in one of these areas may compensate for poorer performance in another
area. In general, successful applicants have a BS degree in biology,
chemistry, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience, or psychology
with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.40 (on a 4.00
scale) and a cumulative Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score greater than 1200 (verbal and quantitative) and a 4.5 in analytical writing.
Additional information and a link to our online application can be found at cnup.neurobio.pitt.edu/training/phd/admissions.aspx
Financial Assistance
All students receive full stipend support and individual health benefits. This support is derived from University fellowships and numerous grants funded by the federal government and private agencies. Students in the program also have access to sponsorship on NIH training grants.
MS Degree Requirements
Credits: A minimum of 24 credit hours, including 12 credit hours of graduate course work in courses numbered 2000 or above.
Credits: A minimum of 72 credit hours, including a 24-credit course requirement covering fundamental material in cellular and molecular neurobiology, systems neuroscience, and several elective courses.
Specifically, the following core courses are required:
| BIOS 2041 |
Intro to Statistical Methods 1 |
(2 cr.) |
| MSNBIO/NROSCI 2010 |
Scientific Ethics |
(1 cr.) |
| MSNBIO/NROSCI 2100 |
Cell and Molecular Neurobiology 1 |
(4 cr.) |
| MSNBIO/NROSCI 2101 |
Cell and Molecular Neurobiology 2 |
(4 cr.) |
| MSNBIO/NROSCI 2102 |
Systems Neurobiology |
(6 cr.) |
In addition to University requirements for graduate degrees, students are also required to obtain research experience in at least two separate laboratories; attend journal clubs and research seminars; pass a reprint exam following their first year of study, a comprehensive exam, and a doctoral dissertation and defense; and, to serve as a teaching assistant for at least one term (or course).
Training Faculty
A list of CNUP Training Faculty may be viewed at the CNUP Web site.
A complete list of courses is maintained at the CNUP Web site.
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