Contact:
Dr. Steve Simasko
Washington State University
Department of VCAPP/Programs in Neuroscience
Wegner 205
P.O. Box 646520
Pullman, WA 99164-6520
Telephone:
(509) 335-0986
FAX: (509) 335-4650
E-Mail:
colbertp@vetmed.wsu.edu
WWW:
http:/www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vcapp/Neurosci/programs_in_neuroscience.asp
Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Master of Science (M.S.)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Program Established: 1994
Number of Faculty:
49
Number of Students: 22
US Citizens: 85%
Female: 50%
U.S. Underrepresented Minorities: .5%
Number of Graduates in the Last Five Years: 23
Average Number of Years to Complete the Program: 5
Program Description: The Program in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program comprised of faculty in the colleges of Sciences, Liberal Arts, Agriculture & Home Economics, Veterinary Medicine. The program is administered through the Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology (VCAPP) in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
In today's ever-changing marketplace, the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) keeps pace with tomorrow's research needs through graduate education as part of its mission to enhance animal and public health and well-being through excellent professional veterinary medical education; graduate, resident, and undergraduate education in the health sciences; biomedical, biotechnological and clinical research; and public service through clinical care and diagnostic services, life-long education, and outreach. The college's three academic departments offer graduate students the opportunity to earn both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
The CVM generates approximately $10 million in competitive extramural funding to support graduate education and teaching assistantships, clinical and outreach programs, and basic college infrastructure. The Departments of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology (VMP) and Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physiology (VCAPP) are two of the top four WSU departments in generating extramural grant funds.
The Department of VCAPP offers opportunities for graduate students to participate in graduate degree programs across the university, including Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Genetics and Cell Biology, and Veterinary Science. Graduate research may be conducted in a number of focus areas, such as the neural regulation of physiology and behavior, muscle physiology, and molecular and cellular neurobiology. Students can earn the Ph.D. or M.S. degree while conducting research that benefits society by improving our basic understanding of the biology underlying some of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., including learning and memory disorders, sleep disorders, movement disorders, vision disorders, diabetes, obesity and eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, and heart disease. Students interested in applying can find additional information at the department's website: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vcapp/
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission, candidates must meet general Washington State University requirements outlined in the Washington State University Catalog or the Graduate Study Bulletin in effect at the time of their admission, as well as the Neuroscience Program requirements.
Applicants for admission to the Graduate Neuroscience Program must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0) either on the basis of the last 60 graded semester or 90 graded quarter hours of undergraduate study or on the basic science portion (first 60 credit hours) of a professional curriculum. Applicants generally will be expected to have completed courses in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, physics and a minimum of three courses in different areas of the biological sciences. It is advisable that applicants have a basic statistics course prior to entering the Neuroscience Program. Deficiencies in these areas must be cleared during the period of graduate study before the preliminary exam.
How or Where to Apply: Students normally begin their studies in the fall semester, which starts the latter part of August. Applications should be completed several months in advance of the desired start date; for admission to fall semester, applications are considered as early as the preceding January and should be submitted by December 31. Applicants are usually notified about acceptance for fall semester by March 31. Students can still apply for admission later than this date, but stipends are awarded in early March and may not be available for late applicants. Applicants are encouraged to begin their program of study in the fall rather than the spring semester due to the limited offering of the core courses. Details of the admissions process are in the WSU Graduate Study Bulletin.
The following documents are required to complete the application packet and must be received before an application is fully considered by the Admissions Committee:
The first three items should be submitted both to the Program office and to the Graduate School office; the latter three items should be submitted only to the Program office.
| Program Office | Graduate School Office |
| Graduate Coordinator, Neuroscience Program Washington State University P.O. Box 646520 Pullman, WA 99164-6520 (509) 335-0986 |
Graduate School Washington State University P.O. Box 641030 Pullman, WA 99164-1030 (509) 335-3535 |
Annual Tuition and Fees Costs:
| Graduate Students | ||
| Direct Costs | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Tuition* | $ 6,396 | $ 15,590 |
| Room and Board | $ 8,280 | $ 8,280 |
| Indirect Costs | ||
| Books/Required Fees | $ 808 | $ 808 |
| Transportation/Misc Expenses | $ 3,044 | $ 3,044 |
| TOTALS | $ 18,528 | $ 27,722 |
* Based on attendance for two semesters
Housing Availability and Costs per Year: A variety of affordable housing is available off campus as well as on campus in single- and multiple-apartment units, in graduate student residence halls, and in family student quarters. Rents are slightly below the national average, averaging $250-$500 per month, depending on size and quality of accommodations.
Day-Care Facilities Availability and Costs per Month: Day care, preschool and after school child care is available both on and off campus. Costs range from $12 to $27 per day depending on the child’s age and amount of time at the facility.
Stipend/Assistantships and Financial Assistance: Students in the program may receive assistantships, either for research (RA) or teaching (TA). To receive assistantships, graduate students must be enrolled full-time and register for 10 - 14 credit hours per semester. Appointments are at Level II for those who have passed their Preliminary Examination. Assistantship appointments are for the semester (August 16 - December 31; January 1 - May 15). RA support for the summer months may be available and usually is for three months. The following table shows monthly assistantship salaries for appointees who have been awarded in-state tuition waivers (effective August 2004). Appointees work 20 hours per week for the following rate. Those on lesser appointments earn a pro-rated salary.
Level I |
Level II |
|
TA/RA |
$1,487.50 |
$1,578 |
Financial Aid: Scholarships, grants, and research or conference travel funds are available on a competitive basis from the graduate school and the program’s home department. There are employment opportunities for spouses as technicians, clerical staff, and library workers. The University Office of International Education coordinates the affairs of international students.
How, if Necessary, to Apply: Graduate Students should call the Neuroscience Program Coordinator, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646520, Pullman, WA 99164-6520, (509) 335-0986, or e-mail grad_neuro@vetmed.wsu.edu
Last revised September 2006
http://www.andp.org/programs/graduate/unitedstates/washington/wsu.htm
Directory of Neuroscience Training Programs
© 2007 Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs
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