Contact:
Anne L. Calof, Ph.D.
University of California, Irvine
Dept. of Anatomy & Neurobiology
364 Med Surge II
Irvine, CA 92697-1275
Telephone: (949) 824-4616
FAX: (949) 824-1104
Email: alcalof@uci.edu
WWW: http://www.bio.uci.edu/academic/grad/mbgb_neu.html
Other Degrees Offered in the Program: Ph.D.
Program Established: 1995
Number of Faculty: 44
Number of Students: 30
U.S. Citizens: 90%
Female: 40%
Underrepresented Minorities
Asian or Pacific Islander: 16%
Black (not hispanic) 8%
Number of Graduates in the Last Five Years:
10
Average Number of Years to Complete the Program: 5
Program Description: The UCI Molecular Neurobiology Graduate Training Program is part of a large, multidisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry within the School of Biological Sciences. More than 44 participating faculty are members of several different departments, including Anatomy & Neurobiology, Biochemistry, Developmental & Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Physiology & Biophysics and Psychobiology. The Molecular Neurobiology Program functions as a "track" within the larger program, sharing a common core curriculum and admissions process. The philosophy of the program stresses a belief that the most important advances in the field of Neurosciences will come from investigations studying the molecular and cellular mechanism of nervous system structure and function. Particular research interests of participating faculty and departments range throughout the neurosciences and include developmental neurobiology, systems
neuroscience, response to injury and mechanisms of regeneration, gene expression in the nervous system, growth factors, synaptic function, ion channels, signal transduction and mechanisms of neurological disease. These broad ranging issues are being studied primarily through cellular and molecular approaches.
During the first year of study, students enroll in core courses covering fundamental concepts of cellular and molecular biology as well as broad training in the neurosciences. Emphasis of the program is on training students to undertake original and fundamentally important research, and students are actively engaged in original research beginning their first week in the program. Strong features of the program include the diversity of research questions under study and breadth of research approaches to solve those questions.
Admission Requirements: Applicants should have basic training in biology, physics, and chemistry. The ideal preparation includes introductory as well as some advanced courses in biology (cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, molecular biology), biochemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, calculus, statistics, and physics. Demonstrated experience in laboratory research is very strongly advised.
Each applicant must complete the Graduate Application for Admission to UCI, and submit two official copies of all postsecondary academic transcripts, three letters of recommendations, and scores of the Graduate Record Examination General Tests. Both the Tests of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) are required of all applicants whose primary languages is not English. Applications from international students will not be reviewed without GRE, TOEFL and TSE scores.
Admission decisions are made on the basis of an overall evaluation of an applicant's preparation and potential to complete a rigorous program of advanced study in biology. Particular attention is paid to the applicant's academic experience, motivation and potential for research. The latter should be documented by reference letters from individuals in positions to judge research potential. Evaluations ar based on the applicant's academic record, Graduate Record Examination scores, prior laboratory research experience, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a personal interview. Information and application materials may be requested from the MBGB office electronically by email to gp-mbgb@uci.edu or by mail to the address listed below.
In addition, application materials may be obtained and applications may be submitted electronically through the Office of Research & Graduate Studies. January 1 is the deadline for receipt of all application materials for Fall quarter admission of the same year. All admissions are for Fall Quarter only. Decisions are completed and applicants will be notified by April 15. Promising applicants are invited to attend one of the "Interview Weekends", which are scheduled in February each year. Prospective students have the opportunity to meet with the faculty and students in the program and to tour the campus and research facilities. All travel and housing expenses re paid by the program. Applications and inquiries should be directed to the MBGB program office at the address below.
How and Where to Apply:
University of California, Irvine
Graduate Program in Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry
142 Biological Sciences Administration
Irvine, CA 92697-3915
Last revised
January 2004
http://www.andp.org/programs/graduate/unitedstates/california/ucian.htm
Directory of Neuroscience Training Programs
© 2007 Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs
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