Pennsylvania

Thomas Jefferson University
Graduate Program in Neuroscience

Contact:

Elisabeth J. Van Bockstaele, Ph.D.
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
Farber Institute for Neuroscience
900 Walnut Street, Suite 417
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Telephone: (215) 503-1245
Fax: (215) 503-9238

E-mail: elisabeth.vanbockstaele@jefferson.edu
URL: http://www.jefferson.edu/jcgs/phd/neuroscience/

Year Established: 2004

Total Number of Faculty: 130
Total Number of Students: 6

U.S. Citizens: 90%
Female: 60%
Minorities: 15%

Total Number of Graduates in the Last Five Years: New program-data not yet available
Number of Faculty Who Have Supervised Graduate Student Thesis Projects: N/A

Average Number of Years to Complete the Program: 5

Program Description: TThomas Jefferson University's interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, jointly established by Jefferson College of Graduate Studies and the Farber Institute for Neurosciences, provides hands-on neuroscience training with internationally recognized scientists.

The interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience at Jefferson will give students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with a wide variety of research areas in neuroscience. In recognition of the diverse areas of interest and synergy with other disciplines, the program has a core curriculum of courses in neuroscience, cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. These courses will provide the student with a thorough background of the major issues in these areas as well as the modern experimental methods by which questions in these areas are investigated. As a trainee in a program faculty member's laboratory, a student will pursue a scholarly research project. Faculty from several basic science and clinical departments within Thomas Jefferson University provide classroom and laboratory training.

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience at Thomas Jefferson University is directed toward providing the student with a) formal instruction in both the classroom and the laboratory, b) laboratory experience sufficient to pursue and develop a scholarly scientific research project and c) the opportunity to serve as an instructor in order to acquire skills applicable to becoming an effective teacher. The graduate program provides sufficient flexibility so that graduating students can pursue a career in education, research in an academic setting or industry.

The Thomas Jefferson University student community totals over 2,000 students, including those enrolled in the College of Graduate Studies, which currently has over 600 students including 130 full-time Ph.D. candidates. Other university students are enrolled in the College of Health Professions, with over 700 students, and Jefferson Medical College, with about 225 new students admitted each year. Affordable housing is available on campus or in the surrounding community. The student body is a diverse one, with members from across the country and around the world. Many activities are coordinated by the Graduate Student Association, and a large variety of cultural and recreational opportunities are available within and around the University.

Admission Requirements: The applicant must possess or expect to receive, prior to matriculation in the College of Graduate Studies, a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A strong background in the sciences is considered essential to success in the graduate program. The applicant is required to take the Graduate Record Examination. Students who have successfully completed graduate courses at another institution may petition for transfer of up to 18 credits towards the degree.

Following receipt of completed applications by the College Admissions Office, applications from prospective students possessing appropriate qualifications are forwarded for review to the Program Admissions Committee. Invitations for interviews are extended to competitive applicants. These interviews are conducted by the Director of the Graduate Program, members of the Program Admissions Committee and other program faculty who are conducting research in an area in which the applicant has expressed an interest. The applicant also has the opportunity to meet with graduate students currently matriculated into the program.

Following the interview process the Admissions Committee submits a recommendation to the Director of the Graduate Program concerning the acceptability of applicants for admission into the graduate program. The Director of the Graduate Program then makes a recommendation for admission to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, who makes the final decision regarding admissions, and who then notifies each student regarding whether or not they have been accepted into the graduate program.

How or Where to Apply:

Elisabeth Van Bockstaele, Ph.D.
Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program
Department of Neurosurgery
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
Thomas Jefferson University
900 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
Telephone 215-503-1245
FAX 215-955-4949
elisabeth.vanbockstaele@jefferson.edu

Annual Tuition and Fees: Tuition and fees are $14,630 per year for the academic year 2004-2005. All full-time Ph.D. students receive financial fellowship support covering this tuition, as well as a competitive stipend that is $23,500 for the academic year 2004-2005.

Housing Availability and Costs per Month: On-campus housing consists of three buildings: two apartment buildings and one traditional residence hall. All three buildings are centrally located on Jefferson's campus. The on-campus community consists mainly of students from all three colleges (JMC, JCHP and JCGS) as well as some post-doc fellows and medical residents. Living on campus can enhance your Jefferson experience-you'll develop closer relationships, meet a wide range of people and benefit from the close proximity to classes and the hospital.

For more information on our housing, please call the Housing Office at 215-955-8913 or email us at university.housing@jefferson.edu. The Housing Offices hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Stipend/Assistantships and Financial Assistance: All full-time Ph.D. students receive financial fellowship support covering tuition, as well as a competitive stipend that is $23,500 for the academic year 2004-2005.

How, if Necessary To Apply For Financial Assistance: Contact Program Director.

Last revised September 2006
http://www.andp.org/programs/graduate/unitedstates/pennsylvania/thomas.htm

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