Neuroscience, PhD
Program Description
Degree Awarded: Neuroscience, PhD
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Studies in neuroscience can be multifaceted and combine physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, developmental biology, cytology, computer science and mathematical modeling to understand the fundamental and emergent properties of the many different cells in the brain and how they interact and co-regulate each other.
Students integrate several levels of analysis --- molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral and cognitive --- to investigate basic, translational and clinical questions about the relationship between the brain and behavior.
The PhD program in neuroscience includes aspects of graduate-level training from many different units on campus as well as from the program's partner institutions distributed across the greater Phoenix area. Partner institutions include Barrow Neurological Institute, Translational Genomics Research Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine and Sun Health Research Institute.
Courses and electives
School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering
- BME 521 Neural Basis of Motor Control (3)
- BME 532 Prosthetic and Rehabilitation Engineering (3)
- BME 561 Clinical Neuroscience (3)
- BME 568 Neural Plasticity and Neurorehabilitation (3)
School of Life Sciences
- BIO 451/551: Cell Biotechnology Laboratory (4)
- BIO 465/598: Neurophysiology (3)
- BIO 515: Science, Technology and Public Affairs (3)
- NEU/BIO 598: Neural Development (3)
- MCB 555: Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology (3)
- BIO 543: Molecular Genetics and Genomics (3)
- NEU 598: Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Aging Brain (3)
- NEU 598: Genetics and Genomics of Behavior (3)
- NEU 591: Biotechnology Viruses as Tools (3)
- NEU 591: Data Analysis and Visualization in R (3)
- BIO 514: Statistical Models for Biology (4)
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
- APM 530: Mathematical Cell Physiology (3)
- APM 531: Mathematical Neuroscience I (3)
- APM 532: Mathematical Neuroscience II (3)
- APM 598: Introduction to Deep Neural Networks (3)
- APM 494/598: Data Analysis in Neuroscience (3)
Department of Psychology
- PSY 591: Neuroanatomy (4)
- PSY 528: Sensation and Perception (3)
- PSY 591: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (3)
- PSY 591: Neuropsychopharmacology (3)
- PSY/NEU 598: Visual Cognitive Neuroscience (3)
- PSY 591: Neuroscience of Attention (3)
- PSY 591: Behavioral Neuroscience of Women's Health (3)
- PSY 591: Advanced Neurobiology of Cognition (3)
- NEU 591: Neurobiology of Social Behavior (3)
- NEU 598: Brain and Emotion (3)
College of Health Solutions - Speech and Hearing Sciences
- SHS 513 Neurophysiology of the Auditory System (3)
- SHS 519 Auditory Pathologies and Disorders (3)
- SHS 545 Speech Perception by the Hearing Impaired (2)
- SHS 567: Neural Bases of Communication Disorders (3)
- SHS 575: Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Language Disorders (3)
- SHS 576: Neuromotor Speech Disorders (3)
- SHS 598: Health Neuroscience (3)
At a Glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus
- Second Language Requirement: No
Interdisciplinary Partners
The program’s interdisciplinary faculty consists of people from various schools and departments at ASU, and from outside organizations. Therefore, some faculty members are not physically located on any of the ASU campuses.
Degree Requirements
Required Core (8 credit hours)
BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research in Life Sciences (1)
NEU 556 Human Systems Neuroscience (4)
NEU 576 Advanced Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3)
Electives or Research (58 credit hours)
Other Requirements (6 credit hours)
NEU 558 Neuroscience Journal Club (3)
NEU 591 Seminar (3)
Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
NEU 799 Dissertation (12)
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Regular admission may be granted to applicants who have achieved the minimum cumulative GPA requirement or better in the last two years of work leading to a bachelor's degree and who are competitive in the applicant pool as evidenced by letters of recommendation. Particular attention is paid to research experience and overall preparation in problem-solving abilities as evidenced by previous coursework and research experiences.
There are no specific undergraduate course requirements other than those implied by the degree requirements described above. Most students are expected to have had coursework in biology, chemistry and math.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- academic record form
- personal statement
- curriculum vitae or resume
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Research experience is a desired qualification.
Career Opportunities
A doctorate in neuroscience provides strong preparation for academic careers at every level from community colleges to research universities. Graduates also apply the skills and knowledge obtained in this program in government careers in federal and state agencies, in industry (biotech, medical or pharmaceutical), as well as in nongovernmental organizations.
Career examples include:
- health care scientists in academic, private and industrial labs
- principal investigators in government labs and nonprofit organizations
- professors or instructors in universities and colleges
- science teachers in elementary and high schools
Neuroscience PhD Student Highlights
Welcome new Neuroscience PhD students!
Joanna Winstone
Congratulations to Joanna Winstone, the Velazquez lab, and TGen collaborators for their recent publication!
Samantha Harker
Congratulations for recently becoming one of 25 students in the US that were awarded the Quad Fellowship! (Left-to-right: Dr. Candace Lewis (co-mentor), Samantha Harker, and Dr. Blair Braden (co-mentor))
Link: https://news.asu.edu/20221209-global-engagement-2-asu-students-receive-prestigious-quad-fellowships
Samantha Scott
Congratulations for publishing your recent research in Dr. Neisewander’s laboratory examining the utility of a serotonin 1B receptor agonist, CP94253, in a model of psychostimulant use disorders!
Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1020146
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Program Contact Information
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