Graduate programs in which most neuroscience faculty participate:

• Neuroscience Concentration in the Comparative Biomedical Science Program (see more information below)
• Toxicology Graduate Program
• Biology Graduate Program
• Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program
• Genetics & Genomics Scholars Program (GGA)
• Select Engineering Graduate Programs
• Other graduate programs in which individual faculty may participate: Psychology, Physics, Physiology, and Design, among others. Consult with the faculty member of interest.

Neuroscience Concentration in the Comparative Biomedical Sciences Ph.D.

For more information and details on applying visit the Comparative Biomedical Sciences website.

• Graduate Degree: Comparative Biomedical Sciences

The Neuroscience Concentration at North Carolina State University is designed to prepare students for professional research and teaching careers to address animal and human health problems associated with the nervous system. Alumni work in both academia and industry. Course work and laboratory research in the Neuroscience concentration emphasize interdisciplinary studies on brain and behavior that span the range of molecular, cellular, tissue, and physiological aspects of the developing, adult, and aging central and peripheral nervous systems. The coursework is intentionally designed to be flexible with minimal required courses, allowing the student to emphasize the technical skills and content mastery most applicable to their research and professional goals. Our faculty are spread across the university including the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Sciences, Engineering, and Agriculture and Life Sciences. Faculty are highly collaborative with expertise in developmental neurobiology, electrophysiology, neuroendocrinology, neurotoxicology, neurogenetics, and behavioral biology in both vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms. Ample collaborations exist with laboratories at UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, and agencies and companies within the Research Triangle Park. As a land-grant university North Carolina State University provides a unique biomedical research environment, which is enhanced through seminars, symposia, and interactive workshops. Graduate research assistantships are available to qualified students who are successfully admitted to the CBS graduate program. Neuroscience graduates are well positioned to compete for positions in universities, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and governmental institutions.

Required Courses

CBS/BIO 705 Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Alternating Fall Semesters (3 credits)

This is a fundamental course that will provide the student with an up-to-date coverage of molecular, cellular, physiological, and circuit-based aspects of Modern Neurosciences in the Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. Being a doctoral graduate-level class, the instructors will assume that the students have acquired some background in basic biology and biochemistry. Typically, an undergraduate or masters level course in Neurobiology is expected before enrollment in this course. The most important goal of this course is to train PhD students in the breadth of interdisciplinary neuroscience-oriented research at NC State, preparing them for actual research. Emphasis will be placed on the systems and skills needed to pursue experimental neuroscience activities. Important components of the learning process will be presentations from neuroscience experts, class discussions, exams and in class activities.

CBS/BIO 805 Special Topics in Neuroscience

Spring Semester (1 credit, minimum 3 credits total for doctoral students; minimum 2 credits total for master’s students)

Topics in neuroscience. This course will provide an opportunity for students to integrate and apply knowledge and skills gained from their graduate neuroscience studies. Emphasis will be placed on primary literature, laboratory visits, scientific practice, and on effective, professional communication and presentations. Exact topics and instructors will vary from semester to semester. Priority will initially be given to graduate students participating in the neuroscience concentration; other students with the necessary prerequisites will be admitted on a space available basis.

Elective Courses

Elective courses are selected by the student and mentor, and must be approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. Possible elective course include, but are not limited to, the following:

BIOCHEMISTRY

• BCH 701 Macromolecular Structure; Fall (3 credits)
• BCH 703 Macromolecular Synthesis and Regulation; Fall (3 credits)

Biology

• BIO 578 The Physiology of Stress; Spring (3 credits)
• BIO 588 Neurobiology; Fall (3 credits)
• BIO 592 Endocrinology; Fall (3 credits)

MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY

• MB 714 Microbial Metabolic Regulation; Fall (3 credits)
• MB 718 Introductory Virology; Fall alternate odd years (3 credits)
• MB/IMM 751 Immunology; Spring (3 credits)
• IMM/TOX 705 Immunotoxicology; Spring (2 credits)
• IMM/CBS 755 Immunoparasitology; Spring alternate years (2 credits)
• IMM/PO 757 Comparative Immunology; Spring alternate odd years (3 credits)
• IMM/CBS/MB 783 Adv. Immunology; Fall alternate years (3 credits)
• IMM/CBS 816 Adv. Topics in Immunology; Fall and Spring (1 credits)

COMPARATIVE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

• CBS 770 Cell Biology; Spring (3 credits)
• CBS 771 Cancer Biology; Fall (4 credits)
• CBS 774 Epidemiol. of Inf. Dis. of International Importance; Fall alternate years

MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY

• GN 701 Molecular Genetics; Fall (3 credits)
• GN 702 Cellular and Developmental Genetics; Spring (3 credits)
• GN 750 Developmental Genetics; Spring alternate years (3 credits)
• GN/ST 756 Computations Molecular Evolution; Fall alternate years (3 credits)
• GN/MB 758 Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Spring (3 credits)
• GN/BCH 761 Adv. Molecular Biology of the Cell; Spring alternate years (3 credits)
• GN/BCH 768 Nucleic Acids: Structure and Function; Spring alternate years (3 credits)
• GN 810-xxx Special Topics in Genetics; Fall and Spring (1-6 credits)
• BCH 705 Molecular Biology of the Cell; Spring (3 credits)

STATISTICS

• ST 501 Fundamentals of Statistical Inference I; Fall and Summer (3 credits)
• ST 701 Statistical Theory I; Fall (3 credits)

TECHNIQUES

• BIT 5** Multiple Course Options, please see: Biotechnology Program (BIT)
• BIT 815 Advanced Topics In Biotechnology; Summer (1-6 credits)