General Information
The Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute at the University of Alberta is a group of more than 150 neuroscientists from approximately 27 departments across eight Faculties and two Schools. The Institute offers a graduate program that is designed for students who desire a broad training in various experimental and theoretical aspects of neuroscience while maintaining a research program that may be more specialized. This can be achieved by drawing on the expertise of specialists (members of the Institute) from various departments throughout the University who have research interests in neuroscience. The graduate program in Neuroscience offers both degrees of PhD and MSc through thesis research. Applicants not having a MSc degree will initially be admitted to the MSc program for the first year, after which they may transfer to the PhD program, provided their thesis proposal has been accepted and appropriate courses passed.
Entrance Requirements
The Department’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last ★60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
Students already possessing a master’s degree will be considered for the PhD program provided they meet the minimum requirements for the MSc degree in Neuroscience.
Applicants to the MSc program are expected to have completed the following courses or their equivalents:
Students deficient in this area may be expected to take these courses soon after admission.
Applicants to the PhD program who do not have a sufficient Neuroscience background may be required to take additional courses to ensure an adequate background. These will be considered extra-to-degree.
Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:
- a TOEFL score of at least 100 (Internet-based) with at least 20 on each of the individual skill areas
- equivalent scores on other language proficiency tests approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
All applicants must also provide three letters of academic reference, a current curriculum vitae, and a personal statement of interest.
Together with the above, successful acceptance is ultimately dependent upon an applicant obtaining a supervisory agreement with one of our faculty member mentors, that would include stipend support. Without a supervisory relationship identified, applications will not be successful.
Applicants wishing to change their program to Neuroscience from other graduate programs within the University of Alberta will be considered upon receipt of a letter from the student outlining the reasons for the program change, letters of reference, transcripts, and a letter of support from the proposed supervisor. Students who have already completed the PhD candidacy examination in another program will not normally be considered.
For Canadian and US citizens (including Canadian permanent residents), the application deadline is July 1 for September admission, and November 1 for January admission.
For international students, the application deadline is May 1 for September admission, and September 1 for January admission.
Financial Assistance
A limited number of graduate research assistantships are available through the Institute. In addition, graduate teaching assistantships and research assistantships may be available through one of the departments participating in the graduate program in Neuroscience or from research grants. Other funding is provided by scholarships awarded to students by various agencies including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Provincial Government of Alberta. Students will be expected to apply for such external funding.
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