Graduate Program Guidelines - Physiology and Neurobiology ...

1“Essential reading for all new PNB graduate students”Departmental Requirements and Proceduresfor Graduate Degrees in Physiology and Neurobiology *Summary: The department of Physiology and Neurobiology offers a course ofgraduate study leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physiology and Neurobiology(PNB). In the first two years, students begin research in one, or rotate throughtwo, department laboratories and take comprehensive core courses covering thefundamentals of Physiology and Neurobiology. Starting in the second and thirdyears, students take more advanced specialty courses in areas relevant to theirresearch and develop a thesis (M.S.) or a dissertation project (Ph.D.). Studentspursuing the M.S. Degree complete their final requirement typically at the end ofthe second year by passing an oral examination or by successfully defending awritten Master’s Thesis. Before the end of the third year, Ph.D. students satisfythe General Examination by successfully defending a written research proposal.Students typically complete the Ph.D. degree after proposing, writing and defendinga dissertation of original research (4-5 years).A. Research and RotationsEach student in the Ph.D. program selects a laboratory for dissertation research eitherimmediately upon entering the program or after completing two single semester rotations in thefirst year. Students who choose to rotate must complete two rotations and their rotations shouldbe taken as up to 3 credits of research (PNB 5397). Masters students (whether Plan A or Plan B)also typically get involved in research in the department laboratories immediately upon their arrival.B. CurriculumStudents in the first two years of the program take a four-semester core of courses:PNB 6417, 5302, 6418, and 6426. PNB 5302 is offered every Spring semester. The othercourses are offered in alternating years. Each student is expected to pass all four courses with agrade of “B-” or better. In addition, students typically take 1 or 2 other 3-4 credit courses offeredin PNB and in other departments. In the second and third years, students continue course workin advanced specialty courses as specified in their individual Plan of Study. Students typically* These requirements are in addition to, or emphasize, those of the Graduate School as noted in the Graduate Catalog(http://catalog.grad.uconn.edu/PDF/standards.pdf and http://www.grad.uconn.edu/forms.html).