California

The University of Southern California
Program in Neuroscience

Contact:

Sarah Bottjer, Ph.D.
Program in Neuroscience
University of Southern California
Department of Biology, HNB 218
Los Angeles, CA 90089

Telephone: (213) 740-9813
FAX: (213) 740-5687

E-Mail: bottjer@usc.edu
URL: http://www.usc.edu/programs/neuroscience/index.html

Year Program Established: 1995

Number of Faculty: 57
Number of Students: 80

U.S. Citizens: 50%
Female: 55%
U.S. Underrepresented Minorities: 3.75%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0%
Black: 1.25%
Hispanic: 2.5%

Number of Graduates in the Last Five Years: 34
Number of Faculty Supervising Graduate Student Theses in Their Laboratories: 34
Average Number of Years to Complete the Program: 5.5

Number of Faculty Who Have Supervised Graduate Student Theses Projects in Their Labs in the Last Five Years: 14

Program Description: The Graduate Program in Neuroscience at USC represents a highly inter-disciplinary approach to understanding neural function. We offer opportunities for graduate training with an outstanding range of scientists drawn from many different departments across the university. USC neuroscientists are targeting a range of exciting questions, including how single molecules are organized into functional neural cells, how specific properties of neurons give rise to neural circuits endowed with emergent properties, and how neural signaling subserves communication between individual neurons to encode memories, complex behaviors, and thought.

Our highly interactive environment promotes interactions between scholars working at different levels of analysis, including scientists engaged in research on cell-molecular neurobiology, systems-level analysis of neural circuits, and cognitive neuroscience. Students in our program come from various backgrounds, and are able to pursue study in a wide range of neuroscience areas. Their specific program of study is tailored to their individual interests.

Admission Requirements: Entry into USC’s Neuroscience Graduate Program requires a bachelor's degree in a related subject from an accredited four-year college, competitive GRE scores, and at least 3 letters of recommendation. In keeping with the strong multidisciplinary nature of the research within the Program, our best applicants come from diverse backgrounds, and have some research experience in their respective fields. They also have a strong undergraduate foundation in their chosen discipline. Frequently, this includes rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, neuroscience, engineering, or computational science.

How and Where to Apply: Students are encouraged to apply on-line at http://www.usc.edu/neuroscience (or go directly to http://www.usc.edu/dept/nbio/ngp/program/admiss.shtml ). For inquiries regarding the application process, contact Linda Bazilian (neurosci@usc.edu ).

Annual Tuition and Fees: The policy of the Neuroscience Graduate Program is to provide a stipend and full tuition for all enrolled students who are making satisfactory progress towards their PhD. The stipend is guaranteed for first year students, and is currently equivalent to a minimum of $24,000 annually for the 2005/06 academic year. In addition, USC covers the cost of student health insurance, a student health center fee, and full tuition remission.

Approximate Cost of Living: $20,000 - 24,000

Housing Availability and Costs Per Year: There is limited on-campus graduate housing. Most graduate students live in apartments off-campus. The cost per year varies depending on quality, location, and number of roomates; a middle range extends from $10,000 - 12,000 annually.

Day-Care Facilities Available and Costs Per Month: USC Child Care Programs provides facilities for daycare. Capacity is limited. The cost is subsidized for USC faculty and staff 1:1 by USC Benefits.
Infant Program: $950/month
Toddler Program: $815/month
Pre-school Program: $670/month
School-age Program (K-6): $300/month

Stipend/Assistantships and Financial Assistance: As indicated above, all students making satisfactory progress towards their degree receive full financial support (tuition remission plus a stipend). Support derives from a variety of sources including training grants, University Provost's Fellowships, College Fellowships, research grants, and teaching assistantships.

How, if Necessary, to Apply for Financial Assistance: All students who apply for admission to USC's Graduate Program in Neuroscience are automatically considered for financial assistance.

Last revised October 2006
http://www.andp.org/programs/graduate/unitedstates/california/uscnp.htm

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