Neuroscience
PhD
Application Deadlines
Fall:January 15
Winter:January 15
Spring:January 15
Summer:January 15
Contact Information: 
192S ESC
801-422-1218
neuroscience@byu.edu
Website
Program Requirements: 

Course work and research that emphasize the integration of molecular biology, developmental biology, biophysics, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology, neuroimmunology, cognition, and behavioral neuroscience is offered through this PhD degree program. Students are required to develop a strong background in the principles of neuroscience and develop the intellectual background and technical expertise necessary for successful research projects in their area of specialization. Publication of the research in peer-reviewed journals is expected but not required.  

Requirements for Degree

  • Credit hours: 56 hours, including 18 hours of dissertation (Neuro 799R).
  • Students who have earned a master’s degree must complete at least 36 semester hours of additional graduate work at BYU beyond the master’s degree.
  • Required courses:
    • Bio 503 Research Orientation 1.0
    • PDBio 570 Responsible Research Conduct 1.0
    • Neuro 601 Cellular Neuroscience 3.0
    • Neuro 602 Behavioral Neurobiology 3.0
    • Neuro 649R Laboratory Research 2.0
    • Neuro 689R Practicum in Neuroscience Teaching or Research 2.0
    • Neuro 694R Research Presentation 4.0
    • Neuro 696R Neuroscience Graduate Seminar 2.0 (0.5 credits for 4 semesters)
    • Stat 511 Statistical Methods for Research 1 or equivalent 3.0
    • Neuro 799R Doctoral Dissertation 18.0
    • One semester (2 credits) of Neuro 649R must be performed in a laboratory different than the laboratory of the student’s graduate committee chair.
    • A seminar must be presented each year (Neuro 694R).
    • A professional development requirement must be met (Neuro 689R).
  • Dissertation: standard university dissertation format or journal publication format.
  • Examinations: (A) comprehensive written and oral examination; (B) defense of dissertation.
Admission Requirements: 

Required Tests

GRE (score of 1070)

Resume required

Document summarizing interest level, likely fit, and desire to conduct graduate research with at least 5 specific faculty members in the program.

Program Outcomes: 


Knowledge of Concepts

Students will describe the current state of the discipline in their area of specialization as well as foundational theories, concepts and practices of the field. Students will add new knowledge to their field through designing and conducting experimental procedures, analyzing the collected data, and determining how the new knowledge fits in with current understanding.

Literature and Effective Communication

Critically evaluate current literature in the discipline and make effective oral and written presentations.

Scientific Method

Successfully apply the scientific method by generating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis through personal research that includes appropriate controls, and formulating defensible conclusions.

Grant Writing

Be able to write effective grant proposals.

Teaching

Be able to teach at the university level.

Program Stats

Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students 9
International 0
Female 4
LDS 9
Non-White 1
BYU Undergraduate 7
Three Year Average Test Scores of Admitted Student
GRE Composite Score 320.7
GRE Quantitative Score 159.4
GRE Quantitative Percentile 76.3
GRE Verbal Score 161.3
GRE Verbal Percentile 86.0
GRE Analytical Score 4.6
GRE Analytical Percentile 77.0
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree 3.7
Graduated Per Year 2.0
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year 5.4
Admitted Per Year 2.6
Percent Admitted 48.15
Average GPA 3.71