The KU-L/KUMC bicampus Neuroscience Graduate Program is designed to prepare the student for a research and/or teaching career with concentrations in neuroscience. The program emphasizes research and the skills and knowledge required to perform and communicate the results of research. Modern neuroscience researchers/educators must be versed in several areas of neurobiology research, spanning from molecular neuroscience to systems neuroscience. As such, the course of study in the program is broadly based; you are encouraged to enroll in courses offered by other programs or departments. The research opportunities in the program are widely varied and will accommodate many interests.

Nearly all Ph.D. students in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the KU School of Medicine are admitted into the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS; https://www.kumc.edu/igpbs.html). During the first year in the IGPBS program, students rotate through 3 laboratories to help them decide on their laboratory/mentor choice. After the initial year of course work in the IGPBS, students choose a neuroscience research mentor and then join the laboratory of the mentor. Coursework for the Neuroscience Graduate Program is offered at the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kansas as well as the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Several courses are taught on both campuses via videoconferencing. Comprehensive Exams for all students must be completed by the fall of the 3rd year in Graduate School. The program on the KUMC campus is directed by the KUMC Neuroscience Graduate Studies Committee consisting of the following faculty:

KUMC Graduate Studies Committee Members:

Douglas Wright, Ph.D. (Program Director)

Julie Christianson, Ph.D.

Erin Young, Ph.D.

Kyle Baumbauer, 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:

Douglas Wright, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology

Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program, KUMC Campus

University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, KS 66160

913-588-2713 (office)

913-588-2710 (fax)

dwright@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.
• An official copy of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score sent from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to University of Kansas Medical Center - ETS institutional code 6895 - GRE Scores NOT APPLICABLE TO THE IGPBS.
• 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 859	1-4
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		2-7
Total Hours 19-30

Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
NEUS 799	2	NEUS 799	2	NEUS 799	2
NEUS 846 (elective)	5	NEUS 990	1-9	NEUS 990	1-9
NEUS 990	1-9	Oral Comprehensive Exam may be scheduled as early as this semester if approved by committee to proceed.
	8-16		3-11		3-11
Year 3
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
NEUS 990	1-9	NEUS 990	1-9	NEUS 990	1-9
	1-9		1-9		1-9
Year 4
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
NEUS 990	1-9	NEUS 990	1-9	NEUS 990	1-9
	1-9		1-9		1-9
Year 5
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
NEUS 999	1-11	NEUS 999	1-11	NEUS 999	1-11
Final Oral Exam (dissertation defense) scheduled semester approved by committee to defend and graduate.
	1-11		1-11		1-11
Total Hours 23-125

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., Kansas City, Kansas 66160 (Phone: (913) 588-2713

Fax: (913) 588-2710 E-mail: dwright@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.