The KU-L/KUMC bicampus Neuroscience Graduate Program is designed to prepare the student for a career in research and/or teaching, with concentrations in neuroscience. The program emphasizes acquiring the skills and knowledge to perform and disseminate the results of neuroscience-based research. The course of study in the program is broadly based to assure that graduates are well-versed in a number of areas of neural research, spanning from molecular to systems neuroscience.  The research opportunities in the program are widely varied and will accommodate many interests; students are encouraged to enroll in courses offered by other programs or departments.

Students gain entry into the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the KU School of Medicine following completion of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS, PhD students) or the ACE curriculum (MD-PhD students). Coursework for the Neuroscience Graduate Program is offered at the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, KS, as well as the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. Several courses are taught across both campuses via videoconferencing. Comprehensive Exams for all students must be completed by December 31 of the 2^rd year in the Neuroscience Graduate Program (Year 3 for PhD and Year 4 for MD-PhD students). The program on the KUMC campus is directed by the KUMC Neuroscience Graduate Studies Advisory Committee consisting of the following faculty:

KUMC Graduate Studies Committee Members:

Julie Christianson, Ph.D. (Program Director)

Kyle Baumbauer, Ph.D.

Jill Morris, Ph.D.

Katie Waugh, Ph.D.

Heather Wilkins, Ph.D.

Applications may be made online at: Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS). Inquires related to the KUMC portion of the program may be directed to the Program Director:

Julie Christianson, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Cell Biology & Physiology

Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program, KUMC Campus

University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, KS 66160

913-945-6430 (office)

913-588-5677 (fax)

jchristianson@kumc.edu

The application process is an online process. Application to this graduate program is facilitated through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS). Detailed instructions on how to apply and the application deadlines are posted on the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences website http://www.kumc.edu/igpbs/how-to-apply.html.

Admission requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution documented by submission of official transcript indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from institutions attended post-baccalaureate are also required.
  Students with degrees from outside the U.S. may be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative GPA requirements.
• A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the bachelor’s degree.
• Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the Minimum English Proficiency Requirement.
• A background check is required during the admission process; it may affect the student's eligibility to enter the program.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Prerequisite coursework:
  • One year of general chemistry
  • One year of organic chemistry or one semester of organic chemistry and one semester of biochemistry
  • One year of biological sciences
  • One semester of calculus
  • One semester of physics
• Research experience (beyond labs associated with lecture courses) is strongly suggested.
• Interview - the most qualified applicants will receive an invitation for an interview.

Applicants will be assessed based on a combination of GPA, research experience, and interview. After an applicant has been admitted, a program may defer an applicant's admission for one year after which time the applicant must submit a new application.

Admission requirements are subject to change. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program. Other years’ catalogs».

Typical Plan of Study

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
GSMC 850	2	GSMC 853	2	GSMC 861	3
GSMC 851	2	GSMC 854	2	May take an elective course from the student's chosen degree program in consultation with the student's advisor.	1-3
GSMC 852	2	GSMC 855	2
GSMC 856	1	GSMC 859	1-4
GSMC 857	1
GSMC 858	1
GSMC 859	1-4
	10-13		7-10		4-6
Total Hours 21-29

Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
NEUS 846 (Advanced Neuroscience)	4	NEUS 799	1	NEUS 990	1-9
NEUS 799 (Neuroscience Seminar Series)	1	NEUS 900	1	ANAT 831	2
NEUS 900 (Scientific Papers in Neuroscience)	1	NEUS 990	1-9	Fellowship Grant Development - elective
NEUS 990 (Research in Neuroscience)	1-9	Neuroscience electives (NEUS 845, 850, 851)
	7-15		3-11		3-11
Year 3
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
NEUS 799	1	NEUS 799	1	NEUS 990	1-9
NEUS 900	1	NEUS 900	1
NEUS 990	1-9	NEUS 990	1-9
Neuroscience electives (NEUS 848)
Oral comprehensive exam completed
	3-11		3-11		1-9
Year 4
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
NEUS 799	1	NEUS 799	1	NEUS 990	1-9
NEUS 900	1	NEUS 900	1
NEUS 990	1-9	NEUS 990	1-9
	3-11		3-11		1-9
Year 5
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
NEUS 799	1	NEUS 999	1-11	NEUS 999	1-11
NEUS 900	1	Final oral exam and dissertation defense
NEUS 999 (Neuroscience Doctoral Dissertation)	1-11
	3-13		1-11		1-11
Total Hours 32-134

Students completing a PhD in Neuroscience are expected to master the following learning outcomes.

• Using foundational knowledge, survey and assess the rigor of prior research, identifying scientific knowledge gaps.
• Demonstrate and employ knowledge of previous research findings and appropriate experimental and statistical methods to formulate and test a novel hypothesis.
• Demonstrate appropriate writing, graphical, and verbal communication skills to effectively disseminate scientific information and defend new research findings.
• Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills, professional behavior, and scientific integrity to facilitate the transmission and advancement of knowledge within the scientific community and the wider public.
• Contribute to a team's efforts to achieve educational, scientific, or professional development goals, both as a member and as a leader.
• Demonstrate awareness of others as individuals and as members of groups that may differ from them and understand that these differences may affect and be affected by their approach to teaching, research, and professional activities.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN NEUROSCIENCE

The PhD degree signifies that the holder is prepared for entry into research and/or teaching in postgraduate training and faculty positions. It follows that graduates must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of academic situations in the classroom and laboratory. Therefore, all students admitted for graduate study must meet the following abilities and expectations:

• Observation: The candidate must be able to observe demonstrations and experiences in neurosciences, including but not limited to biology demonstrations in animals, cultures, and microscopic studies of tissues in normal and pathologic states. A candidate must be able to observe and analyze experimental detail. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation.
• Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate, to understand, and to observe lectures and laboratory instruction. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively in order to present and analyze research data. Communication includes not only speech, but also reading and writing. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with students, staff, and faculty.
• Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function to carry out lab techniques. A candidate should be physically able to do laboratory procedures and analyze data. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
• Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of scientists, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
• Behavioral and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the completion of research and teaching responsibilities. Integrity and motivation are personal qualities, which are required for success in science.

Disabled individuals are encouraged to apply. Applicants whose response indicates that they cannot meet the expectations will be reviewed by the Graduate Committee and Technical Support staff of KUMC to assess the extent of the student’s difficulties. At this review the provisions for reasonable accommodation will be determined.

For further information, contact the Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Kansas School of Medicine, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS 3043, Kansas City, Kansas 66160

Phone: (913) 945-6430, Fax: (913) 588-5677, E-mail: jchristianson@kumc.edu

STUDENT POLICY ON INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Due to the need to assure the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, the fact that an applicant for admission has an infectious disease or is the carrier of an infectious disease may be a factor in determining eligibility for academic program admission at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Determination of eligibility for admission in such cases will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the applicant’s physician, taking into consideration (among other factors), legal requirements and the current best medical information available to determine whether the applicant could complete the normal course of study with reasonable accommodation and without risk to him/herself or to others. Therefore, applicants having an infectious disease or who are carriers of an infectious disease must advise the Graduate Committee of this fact and may be required to provide medical records for review by the Student Health Physician in order to determine eligibility for admission.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

It is the policy of the University of Kansas that unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances or alcohol is prohibited in buildings, facilities, or grounds controlled by the University. Any student found to be illegally manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, or using controlled substances or alcohol at the University or any of its affiliated educational sites, shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with applicable policies as outlined in the Graduate Student Handbook. Students are reminded that illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances may also subject individuals to criminal prosecution.