Neuroscience

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience includes faculty members from several departments representing neuroscience, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, psychology, psychiatry, genetics, neurology and animal sciences.  Areas of specialization include production and analysis of mutant mouse activity; regulation of neural and glial gene expression; developmental neurobiology; autism; gliogenesis; neurogenesis; spinal cord injury; stem call biology; synaptic plasticity; and mechanisms and regulatory controls of learning and memory.

The program selects students on the basis of their academic records, Graduate Record Examination scores, references and research experience.   A student must have an undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of at least B to be considered for admission.  Prerequisite courses normally include biology, general and organic chemistry, calculus and physics.  Applications are accepted throughout the year, but normally are selected by January 1 for admission to study for the fall term.  Financial aid is provided to highly qualified students, and typically includes a stipend to cover living expenses and remission of tuition fees.  The classes of direct support include: fellowships, graduate assistantships provided through research grants held by individual professors, NIH training grant, and teaching assistantships associated with individual teaching units of the program.

First Year Courses

Suggested First Fall Semester Courses

• Advanced Studies 16:710:605. 2 credits. (REQUIRED)
• Neurobiology 16:710:555. 4 credits. (REQUIRED and CORE)
• Molecular Biology & Biochemistry 16:115:511. 3 credits
• Current Cell Biology 16:148:652  3 credits
• Research (Rotation) 16:710:701  1-2 credits
• Electives 2 - 4 credits

Suggested First Spring Semester Courses

• Advanced Studies 16:710:606. 2 credits (REQUIRED)
• Ethical Scientific Conduct 16:115:556. 1 credit (REQUIRED)
• Neuroscience 16:710:557. 4 credits
• Molecular Biology & Biochemistry 16:115:512. 3 credits
• Advanced Cell Biology 16:695:601  3 credits
• Current Cell Biology 16:148:652  3 credits
• Advanced Developmental Biology 16:148:550   3 credits
• Research (Rotation) 16:710:702  1-2 credits
• Electives 2 - 4 credits

Subsequent Years Courses

Required Course

• 16:115:558 Ethical Scientific Conduct Refresher.  This course is required of all 5th year graduate students as well as MD/PhD in the 3rd year of PhD.  This is a case-based course that reviews the most important topics in Responsible Conduct of Research. It complies with NIH requirements. 

Potential Elective Courses

• 16:710:511(S) History of Neuroscience (2) The origins of neuroscience from antiquity to the current era. Changing concepts of brain function, the development of the neuron theory, localization of function, and the role of instrumentation in the development of neuroscience. Prerequisite: Interest in neuroscience.
• 16:710:540(S) Trophic Mechanisms in the Nervous System (2) Introduction to neurotropic factor field. In particular, the critical nature of trophic agents in the establishment and maintenance of a functioning nervous system. Dreyfus. Prerequisites: Cell biology, neurobiology, and biochemistry.
• 16:710:544(F) Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis (2) Discussion of current literature, explores concepts and mechanisms regulating neuronal generation, and specification from undifferentiated precursors in invertebrates and vertebrates examined, including cell lineage, homeotic genes, neurotransmitters, and growth, trophic, and transcription factors. DiCicco-Bloom. Prerequisites: Neurobiology, molecular biology of cells.
• 16:710:555(F) Neurobiology (4) (REQUIRED AND CORE) Introductory survey emphasizing experimental approaches to the study of invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems. Molecular, biophysical, and biochemical bases of nerve cell function. Higher-level functions shown as emerging from nerve cell properties, anatomical development, and mature connections. Plummer. Recommended: Biochemistry, physiology, or animal behavior. Permission of instructor.
• 16:710:557(S) Neuroscience (4) Study of the human central nervous system involving gross and microscopic examination and physiological study of the brain, spinal cord, receptors, and effectors with correlated clinical demonstration of neurological disorders. Glendinning. Lec. lab and demonstration.  Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
• 16:710:558,559 Special Topics in Neurobiology (2,2) Analysis and discussion of contemporary research in cellular and molecular aspects of neuronal functioning, or of selected topics of current research in developmental neurobiology examined by historical review, presentation of current research papers, and analysis of new approaches and unifying theories, in alternating terms. Plummer.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
• 16:710:605,606 Advanced Studies in Neuroscience (2) (BA,BA) (REQUIRED) Research literature review or independent reading.  Pintar
• 16:710:701,702 Research in Neuroscience (BA,BA) Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
• 16:067:510 Neuroendocrinology (3) Role at organismic, cellular and molecular levels of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in reproduction, stress, growth, biological rhythms, drug addiction and immunity.  Advis, Sarkar
• 16:963:501,502 General Toxicology I, II (2,2) Basic principles of toxicology, organ toxicology, toxicology of specific chemical agents an radiation, and overview of environmental and industrial toxicology and safety evaluation. Reuhl.  Prerequisite: 16:115:503,504; 16:710:501,502, or equivalent.
• 16:960:584 Biostatistics I – Observational Studies (3) Statistical techniques for biomedical data.  Analysis of observational studies emphasized. Prerequisite: One year of calculus and Level V statistics.
• 16:960:585 Biostatistics II – Clinical Trials (3) Statistical and practical design, cnduct and analysis of controlled clinical experiments.  Prerequisite: Level IV statistics.  16:960:584 Biostatistics I is not required.
• 16:963:632 Neural Injury and Repair (3) Mechanisms by which the nervous system is damaged by chemicals, trauma and other agents.  Neurobiological basis for is response to injury.  Sonsalla
• 16:695:601 Advanced Cell Biology (3) Molecular analysis of eukaryotic cells, including cell structure, receptors, cell-cell interactions, cytoskeleton, growth, differentiation, and transformation. Pintar,  Prerequisite: 16:115:501,502
• 16:148:652 Current Cell Biology (3) Analyses of progress in all areas of cell biology.  Moyle
• The Graduate Program in Neuroscience is administered jointly by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Graduate School New Brunswick. The Program also maintains a variety of reciprocal relations with faculty members of Princeton University. Course work requirements are flexible and established via individual student conferences.

Students may apply online to the Rutgers joint PhD Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Graduate School New Brunswick with one easy online application.

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience is committed to educating and training outstanding young scientists in the multidisciplinary concepts and contemporary techniques underlying in contemporary Neuroscience research. Students selected for this program generally have had exceptional undergraduate training in biochemistry, biology, cell biology, neurobiology, and/or psychology, as well as productive research experience.

A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required for admission. Recommended courses for entry into the program include biology, neurobiology, cell biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics through calculus. Laboratory research experience is expected.

All applicants are required to take the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a GRE subject test recommended but not required. TOEFL scores are required of students from countries in which English is not the native language. Three letters of recommendation, transcripts of undergraduate grades and a statement of interest are also required. When feasible, domestic applicants will be invited to visit the campus before a decision on admission is made. Applications received by January 1 will receive first consideration for matriculation for the following Fall Semester. Those received after January 1 will be considered only as space and funding allow.  Candidates for terminal master's degrees are not accepted.