205
Graduate Programs
205.48
Neuroscience
205.48 Neuroscience
Centre for Neuroscience
5005-A Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1
E-mail: neurosci@ualberta.ca
205.48.1 General Information
The Centre for Neuroscience at the University of Alberta is a group of more than 85 neuroscientists from 18 departments and five Faculties. The Centre 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 Centre) 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 an 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
Applicants are expected to have graduated with a four-year degree, which will normally be in a biological science. The minimum grade-point average for students having a degree from the University of Alberta is 3.3, while applicants from other institutions are expected to have equivalent qualifications. 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 whose first language is not English must obtain a score of at least 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) on the TOEFL examination with at least a score of 20 on each of the individual skill areas or equivalent scores on other language proficiency tests approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (see §203.2.4).
Applicants wishing to transfer to the program 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 transfer, 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.
Financial Assistance
A limited number of graduate research assistantships are available through the Centre. 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 usually be expected to apply for such external funding.
205.48.2 The Degree of MSc
A total of 
6 and a thesis are required for the MSc degree. Students are expected to have completed undergraduate courses such as PMCOL 371 and PHYSL 372 or their equivalent. Students deficient in this area may be expected to take these courses soon after admission.
An important feature of both the MSc and PhD programs is the requirement that students participate in a lab rotation course, typically during the first year. Students must choose either NEURO 500 (two terms; 6) or NEURO 501 (one term; 3). NEURO 500 involves rotations through three laboratories during the first year. This course is intended to provide students with a broad appreciation of research in neuroscience. Each rotation involves two months of research experience (six months in total). One rotation may be in the laboratory of the primary supervisor. Although this course is 6, an additional lecture-based, graduate-level course will be required to meet the course requirements if students register in NEURO 500. NEURO 501 involves rotation through one laboratory outside of the laboratory of the primary supervisor.
In addition, students will be expected to attend weekly Neuroscience seminars. Students, in consultation with their supervisory committees, may also select courses in other areas important to their research programs. No language other than English is required for the MSc. The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. The time required to complete the MSc will vary with the individual candidate, but the normal period is about two years to complete the coursework (1st year) and benefit from the research training (2nd year).
205.48.3 The Degree of PhD
The course requirements for the PhD degree are as for the MSc degree but with a total of 9 and a thesis required. In addition, students will be expected to attend weekly Neuroscience seminars. Students, in consultation with their supervisory committees, may also select courses in other areas important to their research programs. No language other than English is required for the degree.
The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. However, a minimum of three years is normally required. Course work will generally be completed early in the program.
205.48.4 Graduate Courses
The core courses for the neuroscience programs are BME 530; CELL 502 and 515; INT D 554 and 654; NEURO 500, 501, 572, and 603; PHYSL 527; PMCOL 512; PSYCI 511 and PSYCO 576. Descriptions of these courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the relevant subject headings:
Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Cell Biology (CELL)
Neuroscience (NEURO)
Pharmacology (PMCOL)
Physiology (PHYSL)
Psychiatry (PSYCI)
Psychology (PSYCO)
Additional courses offered by other departments that are deemed relevant to the student’s research interests may be approved on an individual basis.
