Neuroscience, Ph.D.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 90 hours
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Neuroscience at Central Michigan University is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the core principles in neuroscience, exposure to the breadth of the field of neuroscience, and research training that will prepare students to be competitive for obtaining positions in academia, industry, or government. Foundational coursework is completed during the first two years, and students are actively involved in research with a Program faculty mentor throughout their training. Each student’s research will lead to at least one published first-author paper and a dissertation. Prior to submitting application materials, students should contact Neuroscience Program faculty whose research is of interest.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirement Snapshot
GPA: 3.0
Entrance Exam: GRE
Application Deadline: January 5
See Admission Requirement Details Below
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; however, strong preference is given to complete applications received on or before January 5.
To apply to the program, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, official GRE scores, a personal statement, and a completed “Neuroscience Supplemental Application” form are required. Letters of reference should be submitted directly by referees to the program at NSC@cmich.edu. Application forms and detailed instructions are found on the program website (https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/se/neuroscience/programs/graduate/Pages/default.aspx).
Applicants are expected to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent) before starting in the program. Students should have completed at least 5 courses (at 300 level or above) in chemistry and biology (including neuroscience or biologically-based psychology courses), and at least one statistics course. Preference will be given to students with prior research experience and at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). In some cases, excellence in one area may compensate for deficiencies in another; however, students who are deficient in a subject area will be expected to make up this deficiency during the first year in the Program. A maximum of 9 credit hours earned during non-degree status may be applied toward the Ph.D. degree.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience requires a minimum of 90 semester hours of graduate work and a doctoral dissertation. Upon successful completion of the required core courses with a B or better (including achieving a B or better on the comprehensive examinations for the Principles of Neuroscience courses) and defense of a dissertation research proposal, students will advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. Students who are unable to advance to candidacy after two attempts will be dismissed from the program. To receive the Ph.D. in Neuroscience, students must complete the remaining course requirements, publish at least one first-author manuscript, obtain approval of a written dissertation, present their dissertation research in a forum open to the public, and orally defend the dissertation. All other retention and termination standards for the program follow University policy as specified in the Graduate Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Required Courses I (48-66 hours)
| NSC 501 | Principles of Neuroscience I | 4(4-0) |
| NSC 502 | Principles of Neuroscience II | 4(4-0) |
| NSC 690 | Research Seminar Neuroscience | 1-4(Spec) |
| NSC 789 | Graduate Seminar in Neuroscience | 1-12(Spec) |
| NSC 798 | Thesis: Design | 1-3(Spec) |
| NSC 799 | Thesis: Implementation | 1-3(Spec) |
| NSC 800 | Neuroscience Research for Doctoral Candidacy | 1-12(Spec) |
| NSC 898 | Doctoral Dissertation: Design | 1-12(Spec) |
| NSC 899 | Doctoral Dissertation: Implementation | 1-12(Spec) |
Note: A minimum of 4 hours of NSC 690, 6 hours of NSC 789, 6 hours from a combination of NSC 798 and NSC 799, 6 hours of NSC 800, and 18 credit hours from the combination of NSC 898 and NSC 899 is required. In addition to course work, a student must complete an oral examination over the thesis, major paper (NSC 800), and the dissertation.
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
| BIO 500 | Biological Statistics | 3(2-2) |
| PSY 511 | Statistics in Psychology | 3(3-1) |
Required Courses III (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
| BIO 600 | Biological Research Design and Analysis | 3(2-2) |
| PSY 611 | Research Design | 3(3-0) |
Electives (18-36 hours)
To be chosen in consultation with an advisor.
Total: 90 semester hours