Graduate Programs in Neuroscience

General Information

The Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute at the University of Alberta is a group of more than 170 neuroscientists from approximately 27 departments across eight faculties, two schools, and three colleges. 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.

Inquiries about this program should be directed to the Graduate Program Administrator in the NMI, nmhi.edu@ualberta.ca. Complete details of the programs and their requirements are available in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Manual.

Entrance Requirements

See Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Graduate Program Entrance Requirements .

Applicants to the MSc program are expected to have completed the following courses or their equivalents:

• ZOOL 342  OR PMCOL 371  
• PHYSL 372  

Students deficient in this area may be expected to take these courses as extra-to-degree as a condition of 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.

The NMHI Graduate Program Committee (GPC) evaluates the background in Neuroscience of each prospective student and selects appropriate courses.

Academic Standing Requirements

See Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Academic Standing .

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance in the form of Graduate Research Assistant Fellowships from supervisor operating funds is normally available to students in good standing. Students may also be eligible for awards from the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Exceptionally qualified applicants may be nominated for University of Alberta entrance scholarships. 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.

Graduate Program Requirements

Master’s Programs

• Master of Science (Neuroscience)
    

Doctoral Programs

• Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)
    

Graduate Courses

Descriptions of these courses can be found in Course Listings , under the relevant subject headings:

Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Cell Biology (CELL)
Educational Psychology (EDPY)
Neuroscience (NEURO)
Pharmacology (PMCOL)
Physical Therapy (PTHER)
Physiology (PHYSL)
Psychiatry (PSYCI)
Psychology (PSYCH)

Additional courses offered by other departments that are deemed relevant to the student’s research interests may be approved on an individual basis.