Contact:
David L. Davies, Ph.D.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences
4301 West Markham Street #510
Little Rock, AR 72205-7199
Telephone: (501) 686-5184
Fax: (501) 686-6382
E-Mail: daviesdavidl@uams.edu
WWW: http://www.uams.edu/neuroscience_cellbiology/
Year Established: Program converted from Anatomy to Neurobiology in 2001
Other Degrees Offered: Neurobiology
Total Number of Faculty: 22 Primary and 10 Secondary Faculty Members
Total Number of Students: 21
US Citizens: 74%
Female: 63%
Total Number of Graduates in the Last Five Years:
4 Ph.D., 4 M.S.
Average Number of Years to Complete the Program: Ph.D. 4.7 years, M.S. 2 years
Number of Faculty Supervising Graduate Student Theses: 10
Program Description:
Neuroscience research in the Department is primarily in the fields of systems, cellular and molecular biology with a strong emphasis on clinically relevant human problems. Our graduate program strives to produce nationally competitive scientists that are critical thinkers capable of problem solving, and have an expert depth of knowledge in their field of research. Both Ph.D. and M.S. programs are available. A faculty committee advises new students in selection of coursework appropriate to their individual career objectives. Neuroscience course electives encompass (1) cellular and developmental, (2) systems, (3) neurophysiologic, and (4) medical aspects of the discipline. Cell biology and gene expression courses are also available. All students participate in a course devoted to ethics and effective communication, and a robust seminar program encourages students to talk with extramural speakers.
All Ph.D. students are expected to rotate through the research laboratories of at least two different faculty members in order to facilitate the selection of a Major Advisor who directs their dissertation research. Available to students are a wide variety of techniques and broad based research projects whose main emphasis is directed toward understanding nervous system development and recovery from injury. Investigations are currently underway to reveal the fundamental concepts associated with the normal development of neurons, glia and cell surface receptors. Experiments utilize morphological and electrophysiological changes that occur during development and injury, but also use neuronal and glial cell cultures to elucidate the roles that growth and/or neurotrophic factors and gonadal hormones play in the nervous system. Additional areas of research deal with regulation of anterior pituitary cells by neuroendocrine peptides, the deleterious affects of alcohol on the
developing nervous system, and with clinical problems concerning human brain dysfunctions associated with Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, infectious disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, sleep disorders, and space motion sickness.
Admission Requirements:
How and Where to Apply:
Application forms are available to download at http://www.uams.edu/gradschool/pro_students/application_forms.asp
Requests for hard copies should be addressed to either the address given above or the UAMS Graduate School Office, 4301 West Markham St., #601, Little Rock, AR 72205
Annual Tuition and Fees Costs: Tuition and fees are $2350 per semester for Arkansas residents and $4930 per semester for out-of-state students.
Approximate Cost of Living Per Year: The estimated yearly living expenses for single graduate students are projected as $16,500 for off-campus residents.
Housing Availability and Costs Per Year: The University’s Residence hall on campus will close in May 2005 for construction of a new residence building. Reasonably priced off-campus apartments and houses are available nearby. Monthly housing costs are estimated as $600 and higher.
Day-Care Facilities Availability and Costs Per Month: Commercial, public, church and synagogue childcare centers are available locally. Although costs vary among the centers, the monthly cost for one child is estimated as $480 and higher.
Stipend/Assistantships and Financial Assistance: Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis to students in the Ph.D. program. The stipend is $18,500, and tuition is paid for graduate assistants.
How to Apply for Financial Assistance: Considered with application to the program.
Last revised October 2006
http://www.andp.org/programs/graduate/unitedstates/arkansas/uamedsci.htm
Directory of Neuroscience Training Programs
© 2007 Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs
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