The University of
Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Neuroscience Graduate Program
Contact:
John H. Byrne, Ph.D.
Department Chairman
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy
6431 Fannin Street, MSB 7.046
Houston, Texas 77030
Telephone: (713) 500-5602
FAX: (713) 500-0623
E-Mail: john.h.byrne@uth.tmc.edu
WWW: http://nba.uth.tmc.edu/gradprog
Other Degrees Offered in the Program: M.S., Ph.D., M.D.-Ph.D.
Biomedical Sciences with a Specialization in Neuroscience
Program Established: 1978
Number of Faculty: 47
Number of Students: 40
U.S. Citizens: 83%
Female: 53%
U.S. Underrepresented Minorities: 5%
Alaskan or American Indian: 2.5%
African American/Black (Not of Hispanic Origin): 2.5%
Number of Graduates in the Last Five Years:
23
Average Number of Years to Complete the Program: 6 years
Program Description: The Neuroscience Graduate Program offers a course of study leading to the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with a specialization in Neuroscience. The Ph.D. degree may be combined with the M.D. degree by special arrangement in conjunction with The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. The goal of the Neuroscience Graduate Program is to provide students with an extensive education in neuroscience and the opportunity to conduct outstanding laboratory research.
This educational experience is provided by the faculty of the Program, each of whom is actively involved in research designed to provide insight into the function of the nervous system. These faculty members, in combination with the Graduate School's extensive programs in other related disciplines, offer graduate students a combination of a sound education in neuroscience and a broad graduate experience.
Entering students pursue both research and course work. During the first year, students choose a research field of interest based on three research rotations of their choosing in areas of molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, systems neuroscience, computational neuroscience, biochemistry and behavior. Students participate in the neuroscience seminar program and the student journal club and select from among graduate level courses and research topics. Research in a faculty laboratory is expected to lead to the definition of a field of interest and the selection of a thesis research project. Students are admitted to candidacy upon successful completion of a two-part qualifying exam given at the beginning of the third year of graduate school. Subsequent progress is dependent upon original research leading to a formal dissertation. The major thesis advisor and the thesis supervisory committee closely monitor progress in research and course work.
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and a background in the basic sciences which includes:
Undergraduate preparation that includes rigorous upper-level science courses or courses utilizing calculus is preferred.
Applicants are expected to have a grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 on all undergraduate and graduate level work taken previously (particularly in the prerequisites listed above).
Applicants are required to take the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). A score of 1800 on all three sections of the test is considered competitive. In recent years, the average combined score of admitted Ph.D. applicants has been slightly over 1900.
If appropriate, the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE). Foreign nationals whose native language in not English and who have not attended an English-speaking university must present evidence of proficiency in English by satisfactory completing the TOEFL and TWE, administered in foreign countries by E.T.S. Applicants must request that the official results be sent to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Official score reports for the GRE and TOEFL must be received for applicants accepting an offer of admission. The TWE is not required for applicants who have taken the computer-based TOEFL. Successful applicants will have achieved a TOEFL score of over 550 and a TWE score of 4.0 or better.
How or Where to Apply:
Please visit the website of the Office of the Registrar to download application materials and/or submit forms online.
Deadlines
Annual Tuition Fees and Costs: The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) or the Neuroscience Graduate Program provide nearly all Ph.D. students with a Graduate Research Assistantship during their first year of study. This Assistantship of $20,800 per annum, supplies students with the flexibility needed in selecting a faculty advisor. It also provides students with their tuition and required fees. After the first year, students are supported at the same annual amount through one of three NIH training grants, faculty research grants or student fellowship awards. GSBS funding is also available to offset the cost of travel to scientific meetings and seminars.
Approximate Cost of Living Per Year: $15,000
Housing Availability and Costs per Year: Affordable housing, including University housing is available within a mile of the campus beginning at $6000 per year. Houston has the second lowest cost of living among major American cities and the lowest cost of housing of the ten largest metropolitan areas in the country.
Day-Care Facilities Availability and Costs Per Month: The University has a Child Development Center that provides quality child care and education for children whose parents are students, faculty or staff members of the University or other Texas Medical Center facilities. Comprehensive programs are available for children ages six weeks through six years. Cost: $635-$685 per month. Other day-care facilities are available elsewhere in the city.
Stipend/Assistantships and Financial Assistance: The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) or the Neuroscience Graduate Program provide nearly all Ph.D. students with a Graduate Research Assistantship during their first year of study. This Assistantship of $21,600 per annum, supplies students with the flexibility needed in selecting a faculty advisor. It also provides students with their tuition and required fees. After the first year, students are supported at the same annual amount through one of three NIH training grants, faculty research grants or student fellowship awards. GSBS funding is also available to offset the cost of travel to scientific meetings and seminars.
How, if Necessary, to Apply: The Office of Student Financial Aid assists eligible students who have difficulty meeting the cost of attendance at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. To request an application or information packet: Write:
Student Financial Aid Office
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
P. O. Box 20036
Houston TX 77225
Phone: 713-500-3860
Email: Carl.W.Gordon@uth.tmc.edu
Last revised April 2006
http://www.andp.org/programs/graduate/unitedstates/texas/uthous.htm
Directory of Neuroscience Training Programs
© 2007 Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs
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