Hedco Neurosciences Building 126
(213) 740-6090
FAX: (213) 740-5687
E-mail: thompson@neuro.usc.edu

Director: Richard F. Thompson, Ph.D.

Participating Faculty: See Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Engineering, Gerontology, Medicine and Pharmacy in this catalogue.

Minor in Neuroscience

Coordinator: William O. McClure, Ph.D.

The neuroscience minor is designed to acquaint students with a broad range of the problems and opportunities available in the study of the brain and the mind. The minor requires a core course, normally BISC 230, which will provide beginning knowledge of the biological aspects of brain function. In addition, four upper division courses (16 units) must include a research component. A list of approved courses may be obtained from a coordinator. Appropriate departments include but are not limited to Anthropology, Earth Sciences, Computer Science, Gerontology, Linguistics, Philosophy and Psychology. Directed Research may be used to satisfy the requirement of one of the upper division courses.

Research in appropriate laboratories is encouraged but not required for completion of the minor. A grade of no less than B must be earned in each of the courses used to satisfy the neuroscience minor.

Application forms may be obtained from College Academic Services, CAS 100, or from the Neuroscience Program, Hedco Neurosciences Building, room 126.

Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience

Breadth of interests and training are major features of the graduate program in neuroscience. Wide and varied skills in many research areas characterize the faculty of the program. Close contact between faculty and students is considered of major importance in this highly interdisciplinary field.

Training is given in one of five areas of specialization: behavioral and systems neuroscience, cellular and molecular neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, computational and mathematical neuroscience and neuroscience of aging.

Applicants should normally have defined an interest in one or two specializations. A final choice of the specialization will be made during the first year.

Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate degree in a field relevant to the student's graduate goals is required.

Appropriate fields would be biology, chemistry, computer science, linguistics, psychology, many areas of engineering, etc. Undergraduate study should provide evidence of proficiency in mathematics, including statistics. Students planning to enter the specialization in computational and mathematical neuroscience should have taken course work in calculus and, where possible, linear algebra and computer programming. Applicants who are accepted with minor deficiencies are expected to correct these during the first year.

Applications require forms from both the university and the program. These may be obtained from: Coordinator, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2520.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to Requirements for Graduation and the Graduate School for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Advisory Committee

The student will be advised during the first year by the Graduate Affairs Committee. As soon as the student has selected one of the five specializations an Advisory Committee of appropriate faculty will be appointed. This committee will be chaired by the thesis advisor, when chosen. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to help the student in the selection of courses and research; to monitor the student's progress; to insure preparation for the qualifying examination; and to administer that examination.

Course Requirements

A minimum of 60 units is required, consisting of formal courses, seminars and research credits. At least 24 of the 60 units are to be formal graduate course work (lecture or seminar courses). During the first year the student is expected to complete two of the three semesters of the core courses in neuroscience (BISC 524, BISC 525, CSCI 663) and BISC 539. Other courses in the area of specialization may also be taken in the first year and will be taken in subsequent years.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination concentrates on the student's ability to demonstrate a grasp of the major area of interest chosen and its relation to other areas of training offered in the program. The examination is partly written and partly oral and is designed to test the student's ability to meet the demands of the profession.

Dissertation

An acceptable dissertation based on completion of an original investigation is required. The candidate must defend an approved draft of the dissertation in an oral examination.

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