Doctoral Program in Neuroscience  

The PhD program in neuroscience follows an apprenticeship model in which the student is exposed to individualized research experiences within the laboratory of his or her major professor and, in many cases, other faculty as well. This research training is accompanied by an integrated set of courses and seminars. The goal of the program is to train students to be independent researchers who can develop novel questions and hypotheses, craft and conduct well-controlled experiments, analyze and interpret data, and communicate findings in written and oral forms. Students will also learn to teach in the classroom and lab. 

a. About Neuroscience 

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system. The curriculum provides students with the intellectual and technical skills necessary for a productive career in academia or industry. Students are part of the greater Milwaukee Area Neuroscience group, which includes faculty members and students from various departments at UWM, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Marquette University. Students learn a wide range of techniques working with laboratory animals and human subjects. These techniques include behavioral testing and analysis, neurophysiology, aseptic surgical techniques, quantitative protein and mRNA assays, viral-mediated cell manipulation and activity methods, immunohistochemistry, confocal and other advanced microscopy, eye tracking, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), coding in Python and other languages, and advanced imaging analyses such as machine learning. 

Current research topics include cellular and molecular mechanisms of learning and memory; mapping brain areas involved in memory and emotion in humans using fMRI; sex differences and hormonal regulation of brain function and cognition; effects of aging on learning and memory; identifying circuitry underlying social memory and discrimination; and the role of calcium and calcium-binding proteins in ischemic cell death. 

b. Financial Support 

All students admitted to the doctoral program in neuroscience receive academic-year financial support, usually in the form of teaching assistantships, which include not only a stipend but also full remission of tuition, and benefits such as health insurance. Many students also receive additional financial support from their advisor during the academic year and many receive financial support during the summer.  

c. Coursework 

The minimum degree requirement is 54 graduate credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, at least 27 of which must be earned in residence at UWM. Students in psychology may earn more than 54 credits to satisfy the specific program requirements. The Neuroscience curriculum includes four core courses (behavioral neuroscience, cellular and molecular neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and proseminar in neuroscience). Other required courses include a statistics course, seminar in neuroscience (three semesters of official enrollment), and three electives chosen in consultation with the major professor. 

d. Waiver of Coursework for Students with Prior Graduate Work 

Equivalent coursework taken elsewhere as a graduate student may substitute for one or more of the courses described above. Waiver of a required course requires consent of the major professor and the instructor of the course in question. 

e. Master’s Thesis 

The student, under the direction of his or her major professor, must develop an acceptable thesis based on empirical research. Candidates must pass an oral examination in defense of their thesis. Note: Students who, upon admission, already have a master’s degree in psychology or neuroscience that included an empirically based master’s thesis are exempt from the requirement of having to earn the MS at UWM. Students admitted with a master’s degree in psychology or neuroscience that did not include a thesis must complete a thesis and earn the MS at UWM. 

f. Doctoral Preliminary Examination  

To advance to doctoral candidacy, students must pass a preliminary examination in Neuroscience after they earn the MS and within five years of enrolling. 

g. Dissertation 

Candidates must write an empirically-based dissertation that demonstrates the ability to formulate a research topic and pursue an independent and original investigation. Candidates must pass an oral examination in defense of the dissertation. 

h. Time Limits 

Doctoral students must earn the MS within three years of enrolling (by March 10 of their third year for most favorable consideration within the teaching assistant priority system), and they must earn the PhD within seven years of enrolling.