Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Neuroscience (STEM)

Neuroscience uses tools in a wide variety of disciplines—psychology, anatomy, electrophysiology, molecular biology, medicine, pharmacology, and biochemistry—to provide critical scientific breakthroughs for the millions of individuals affected by neurologic illnesses.

In the doctor of philosophy (PhD) in neuroscience program, the principal areas of research training include developmental neurobiology, molecular mechanisms of action of drugs of abuse, neural transplant, neurotransmitter systems, and the psychobiology of learning, memory, and communication.

The program begins with interdisciplinary coursework in genes, cells and systems in biomedical sciences, professional development in scientific communication and science careers, and laboratory rotations offered through GW’s Integrated Biomedical Sciences program. After the first year of study, students work with their research advisor to complete remaining degree requirements, including the dissertation.

Program faculty are drawn largely from the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, including scientists from Children’s Research Institute of Children’s National Health System.

Students have access to extensive research facilities and libraries on campus and in the greater Washington, DC area. These include the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, GW’s Gelman Library and Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, the Children’s Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, and numerous other research institutions.

This is a STEM designated program.

Visit the Integrated Biomedical Sciences program website for additional information.

Visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences website for application requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact for questions:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy program.

72 credits, including required core and elective courses. Successful completion of a grant-style qualifier examination is required for advancement to candidacy. In addition, students perform full-time research in faculty laboratories for the duration of their program.

Students are advised to complete 45 credits in the first two years of PhD study comprising required interdisciplinary core courses, required neuroscience core courses, electives, and advanced readings and research. Upon successful completion of a grant-style qualifier, students register for up to 27 credits of dissertation research through completion and successful oral defense of a written dissertation.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required interdisciplinary core *
BMSC 8210	Genes to Cells
BMSC 8212	Systems Physiology
BMSC 8215	Lab Rotations (Taken three times for a total of six credits)
BMSC 8216	Scientific Writing, Presentation Skills, and Seminar Planning
BMSC 8217	Ethics and Grant Writing
BMSC 8218	Career Options in the Biomedical Sciences
BMSC 8230	Molecular Basis of Human Disease
BMSC 8235	Applied Biostatistics for Basic Research
Required neuroscience core *
NRSC 8283	Current Topics in Neuroscience (Taken two times for a total of four credits)
NRSC 8284	Foundations of Experimental Neuroscience I
Electives
18 credits in elective courses selected in consultation with graduate program advisor.
ANAT 6130	Clinically Oriented Human Embryology
ANAT 6150	Clinically Oriented Human Microscopic Anatomy
ANAT 6160	Human Clinical Neuroanatomy
ANAT 6182	Fundamentals of Translational Science
ANAT 6275	Advanced Studies in Translational Sciences
BIOC 6240	Next Generation Sequencing
BIOC 6242	Bioscience Big Data Statistics
BIOC 6281	Topics
BIOC 8225	Metabolism
BIOC 8232	Molecular and Cellular Signaling
BMSC 8219	Writing the Grant-Style Qualifier
BMSC 8220	IBS Research Practicum
CANC 8221	The Basic Science of Oncology
CANC 8222	Molecular Oncology and Cancer Epigenetics
CANC 8223	Immunology and Immunotherapy of Cancer
GENO 6223	Bioinformatics
GENO 6236	Medical Genomics
GENO 6237	Proteomics and Biomarkers
GENO 8231	Introduction to Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics
GENO 8232	Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: Principles and Practices
MICR 8210	Infection and Immunity
MICR 8230	Molecular and Cellular Immunology
MICR 8270	Advanced Topics in Immunology
MICR 8271	HIV Persistence, Comorbidities, and Treatment
NRSC 8285	Foundations of Experimental Neuroscience II
NRSC 8998	Advanced Reading and Research
PHAR 6205	Pharmacology
PHAR 6206	Advanced Pharmacology
PHAR 6116	Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine
PHAR 6322	Advanced Professional and Communication Skills
PHAR 8211	Physiology
PHAR 8281	Molecular Pharmacology and Neurobiology of Excitable Tissues
PUBH 6276	Public Health Microbiology
PUBH 6278	Public Health Virology
Dissertation research (6-27 credits)
NRSC 8999	Dissertation research

*Required courses may be waived at the discretion of the graduate program director based on written documentation of prior equivalent coursework. Any waiver increases the number of electives required, by the number of credits waived.