Curriculum

Our interdisciplinary training program will provide you with the foundations of neuroscience knowledge through an integrated and wide-ranging curriculum. 

PhD Program Course Requirements by Year

Autumn Semester

NEUROSC 7001Foundations of Neuroscience I (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30-9:50 am)
Course Director: Dr. Candice Askwith
This course covers the basics of neuroscience knowledge that every grad student will need regardless of the field they choose. It covers 4 main topics: Electrophysiology, Cellular Biology, Neurons & Glia, and Neurodevelopment. Permission of instructor is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

NEUROSC 7100Current Topics in Neuroscience (Tuesday 9:00-10:00 am)
This course is conducted in a journal club style and discusses primary research articles related to the concurrent NEUROSC 7001 lectures. Permission of instructor is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm)
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

6193Laboratory Rotation  
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Spring Semester

NEUROSC 7002 or DENT 7012.03Foundations of Neuroscience II (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-9:50 am)
Course Directors: Dr. Georgia Bishop and Dr. Susan Travers
This course builds on material learned in the first semester and focuses on nervous system function including sensory systems, motor control, sleep, neuroendocrine physiology, and more. Permission of instructor is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

NEUROSC 7200.01 or DENT 7012.01Neuroscience Laboratory (Wednesday 10:00 am-12:00 pm)
Course Directors: Dr. Georgia Bishop and Dr. Susan Travers
This laboratory course runs in complement to the 7002 lectures and focuses on building an anatomical understanding of the nervous system. Permission of instructor is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Summer Semester

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Autumn Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

6193Laboratory Rotation 
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Choose one of the following Statistics courses:

STAT 5301: Intermediate Data Analysis I
The first course in a two-semester non-calculus sequence in data analysis covering descriptive statistics, design of experiments, probability, statistical inference, one-sample t, goodness of fit, two sample problem, and one-way ANOVA.  

OR

PSYCH 6810: Statistical Methods in Psychology I 
Topics include basic concepts of descriptive and inferential statistics, estimation, hypothesis testing, non-parametric techniques, and analysis of variance.

Spring Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Summer Semester

BIOPHRM 5510: Responsible Conduct in Biomedical Research (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:30-5:00 pm)
This course is offered every other summer and therefore will be taken in either the second or third year. The broad intent of this course is to highlight the importance of ethics in biomedical research and to explore how critical ethical thinking can be used to analyze personal decision-making, public regulation, and the law concerning advanced biomedical sciences/technologies and their clinical applications. This course will introduce students to professional and ethical issues confronting biomedical research and researchers and approaches to dealing with such issues.

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Autumn Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

Candidacy should be completed by the end of Autumn semester of your third year. Depending on the status of candidacy at the start of the semester, students will enroll in one of the following:

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

OR

8999: Dissertation Research
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Spring Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Summer Semester

BIOPHRM 5510: Responsible Conduct in Biomedical Research (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:30-5:00 pm)
This course is offered every other summer and therefore will be taken in either the second or third year. The broad intent of this course is to highlight the importance of ethics in biomedical research and to explore how critical ethical thinking can be used to analyze personal decision-making, public regulation, and the law concerning advanced biomedical sciences/technologies and their clinical applications. This course will introduce students to professional and ethical issues confronting biomedical research and researchers and approaches to dealing with such issues.

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Autumn Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Spring Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Summer Semester

8999: Dissertation Research
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Autumn, Spring, and Summer Semesters

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Many courses are available at Ohio State to supplement your neuroscience training. Below are just a few courses we recommend:

MOLGEN 5701DNA Transactions and Gene Regulation (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:50-2:45 pm)
This course aims to understand the mechanisms of DNA replication, DNA repair and recombination, transcription, translation, regulation of gene expression, and the experimental approaches to these topics.

NEUROSC 5790HDevelopmental Neuroscience (Tuesday, Thursday 11:10 am-12:30 pm)
This course investigates the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms responsible for building nervous systems. The brain is a complex structure, yet it develops from a single sheet of cells. We will discuss how this development tolerates tremendous genetic and environmental variability to assemble a functioning nervous system.

NEUROSC 7050: Neurobiology of Disease (Tuesday, Thursday 1:00-3:00 pm)
This course centers on a discussion of both the symptoms and pathology of neurological diseases as well as a review of the current state of basic and clinical research efforts. Classes will consist of lectures from both physicians and research scientists who specialize in neurological diseases.

NEUROSC 7500: Neuroimmunology (Tuesday, Thursday 9:30-11:00 am)
This course discusses research and clinical applications of inflammatory processes within the central nervous system with special emphasis on neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune disease, and neurotrauma (e.g. spinal injury).

NGSY 8250: Biology of the Tumor Microenvironment (Wednesday 9:00-11:00 am)
This course explores the cellular and molecular aspects of the microenvironment in solid cancers including signals and mechanisms that promote tumor initiation and progression.

MD/PhD Course Requirements by Year

Summer Semester

6193Laboratory Rotation  
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Summer Semester

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Autumn Semester

NEUROSC 7001Foundations of Neuroscience I (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30-9:50 am)
Course Director: Dr. Candice Askwith
This course covers the basics of neuroscience knowledge that every grad student will need regardless of the field they choose. It covers 4 main topics: Electrophysiology, Cellular Biology, Neurons & Glia, and Neurodevelopment. Permission of instructor is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

NEUROSC 7100Current Topics in Neuroscience (Tuesday 9:00-10:00 am)
This course is conducted in a journal club style and discusses primary research articles related to the concurrent NEUROSC 7001 lectures. Permission of instructor is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm)
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

Spring Semester

NEUROSC 7002 or DENT 7012.03Foundations of Neuroscience II (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-9:50 am)
NOTE: this course is waived if a grade of "B" or higher is achieved in the Med I Neuro Block
Course Directors: Dr. Georgia Bishop and Dr. Susan Travers
This course builds on material learned in the first semester and focuses on nervous system function including sensory systems, motor control, sleep, neuroendocrine physiology, and more. Permission of instructor is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

NEUROSC 7200.01 or DENT 7012.01Neuroscience Laboratory (Wednesday 10:00 am-12:00 pm)
NOTE: this course is waived if a grade of "B" or higher is achieved in the Med I Neuro Block

Course Directors: Dr. Georgia Bishop and Dr. Susan Travers
This laboratory course runs in complement to the 7002 lectures and focuses on building an anatomical understanding of the nervous system. Permission of instructor is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Summer Semester

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Autumn Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

6193Laboratory Rotation 
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Choose one of the following Statistics courses:

STAT 5301: Intermediate Data Analysis I
The first course in a two-semester non-calculus sequence in data analysis covering descriptive statistics, design of experiments, probability, statistical inference, one-sample t, goodness of fit, two sample problem, and one-way ANOVA.  

OR

PSYCH 6810: Statistical Methods in Psychology I 
Topics include basic concepts of descriptive and inferential statistics, estimation, hypothesis testing, non-parametric techniques, and analysis of variance.

Spring Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Summer Semester

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

Autumn Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

Candidacy should be completed by the end of Autumn semester of your fourth year. Depending on the status of candidacy at the start of the semester, students will enroll in one of the following:

6193Laboratory Rotation
Permission of laboratory rotation mentor is required. A signed laboratory rotation agreement form is required for course enrollment.

OR

8999: Dissertation Research
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Spring Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Summer Semester

8999: Dissertation Research
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Autumn Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Spring Semester

NEUROGS 7887Seminar Topics in Neuroscience (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm) 
This course consists of a mixture of student research presentations and professional development workshops. Permission of program administrator is required for students that are not in the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.

Summer, Autumn, and Spring Semesters

8999: Dissertation Research 
Only students that have successfully passed candidacy will enroll in this course.