Leading to the PhD in Anatomy & Neurobiology (also earns the combined PhD in Biomedical Neuroscience)

This doctoral program includes core courses in systems neurobiology and cognitive neuroscience, methods in neuroscience, and neuroanatomy as well as a number of advanced courses in neurobiology within our department and related departments at the School of Medicine. Students in the program also fulfill the requirements for the Interdepartmental Program in Biomedical Neuroscience and their degree will reflect that award.

• Overview: 64-credit PhD program
• Core Track requirements: 16 credits
• Department basic courses: 6 credits
• Department advanced courses: 6 credits
• Electives or research: 36 credits

Core Track Required Courses: 16 credits

• Systems Neurobiology 4 credits
• Cognitive Neuroscience 4 credits
• Methods in Neurobiology 4 credits
• Molecular Neurobiology and Pharmacology 4 credits
  Or Medical Neuroscience 4 credits

Department Basic Courses—required: 6 credits

• Experimental Design and Statistics 2 credits
• Journal Club 2 credits
• Professional Development/Ethics 2 credits

Department Advanced Courses—required: 6 credits

Offered each year

• Teaching in Biomedical Science (recommended) 2 credits
• Functional Bioimaging 2 credits
• Human Reproduction and Sexuality 3 credits
• Biomedical Forensics 2 credits

Offered once every two or three years

• Autism: Clinical and Neuroscience Perspectives 2 credits
• Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2 credits
• Neural Development and Plasticity 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Aging 2 credits
• Neuroanatomical Basis of Neurologic Disease 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 2 credits
• Neurobiology of the Visual System 2 credits

Department Laboratory and Teaching Courses—Medical Electives

• Histology 6 credits
• Gross Anatomy 8 credits
• Directed Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences I and II 2–4 credits

Leading to the PhD in Anatomy & Neurobiology

This doctoral program includes courses in anatomy and neuroscience within the Medical School curriculum as well as a number of advanced courses within our department and related departments at the Medical School. This program is designed to produce well-rounded biomedical scientists who expect to include teaching and research in their career portfolio.

• Overview: 64-credit PhD program
• Core Track requirements: 18–20 credits
• Department basic courses: 6 credits
• Department advanced courses: 6 credits
• Electives or research: 32–34 credits

Core Track Required Courses: 18–20 credits

• Medical Histology 6 credits or
• Gross Anatomy 8 credits
• Medical Neuroscience 4 credits
• Cell or Molecular Biology 4 credits
• Methods in Neurobiology 4 credits

Department Basic Courses Required: 6 credits

• Experimental Design & Statistics 2 credits
• Journal Club 2 credits
• Professional Development/Ethics 2 credits

Department Advanced Courses—Required: 6 credits

Offered each year

• Teaching in Biomedical Science (recommended) 2 credits
• Advanced Clinical Anatomy 2 credits
• Biomedical Forensics 2 credits
• Functional Bioimaging 2 credits
• Human Reproduction and Sexuality 3 credits

Offered once every two or three years

• Autism: Clinical and Neuroscience Perspectives 2 credits
• Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2 credits
• Neural Development and Plasticity 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Aging 2 credits
• Neuroanatomical Basis of Neurologic Disease 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 2 credits
• Neurobiology of the Visual System 2 credits

Department Laboratory and Teaching Courses—Electives

• Directed Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences I and II 2–4 credits

Leading to the PhD in Anatomy & Neurobiology (also earns the Certificate in Biomedical Instruction through our nationally recognized Vesalius Program)

In addition to a dissertation research project, this doctoral program emphasizes formal training and mentored practical experience in teaching as part of our Vesalius Program. This program is designed to emphasize instruction and training in the subjects and skills needed by future faculty members who expect teaching to be a major component of their career.

• Overview: 64-credit PhD program
• Core Track requirements: 28 credits
• Department basic courses: 6 credits
• Electives or research: 30 credits

Core Track Required Courses: 28 credits

• Medical Histology 6 credits
• Gross Anatomy 8 credits
• Medical Neuroscience 4 credits
• Vesalius Module* 6 credits
• Cell or Molecular Biology 4 credits

*Includes Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences (2 credits) and Directed Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences I and II (4 credits)

Department Basic Courses Required: 6 credits

• Experimental Design and Statistics 2 credits
• Journal Club 2 credits
• Professional Development/Ethics 2 credits

Department Seminar, Lecture, and Laboratory Courses—Electives

Offered each year

• Advanced Clinical Anatomy 2 credits
• Biomedical Forensics 2 credits
• Functional Bioimaging 2 credits
• Human Reproduction and Sexuality 3 credits
• Systems Neurobiology 4 credits
• Cognitive Neuroscience 4 credits
• Methods in Neurobiology 2 credits

Offered once every two or three years

• Autism: Clinical and Neuroscience Perspectives 2 credits
• Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2 credits
• Neural Development and Plasticity 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Aging 2 credits
• Neuroanatomical Basis of Neurologic Disease 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 2 credits
• Neurobiology of the Visual System 2 credits

Medical students who are interested in pursuing a combined MD/PhD degree usually begin the doctoral part of their program after completing 1.5 or 2 years of the School of Medicine curriculum. Thus they have already completed many of the courses required for the PhD in Anatomy & Neurobiology. After completing the doctoral program they return to the School of Medicine curriculum and receive the combined degree when their entire program is completed.

• Overview: 32-credit PhD program
• Department basic courses: 6 credits
• Department advanced courses: 6 credits
• Electives or research: 20 credits

Department Basic Courses Required: 6 credits

• Experimental Design and Statistics 2 credits
• Journal Club 2 credits
• Professional Development/Ethics 2 credits

Department Advanced Courses

Offered each year

• Teaching in Biomedical Science (recommended) 2 credits
• Advanced Clinical Anatomy 2 credits
• Biomedical Forensics 2 credits
• Functional Bioimaging 2 credits
• Human Reproduction and Sexuality 3 credits

Offered once every two or three years

• Autism: Clinical and Neuroscience Perspectives 2 credits
• Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2 credits
• Neural Development and Plasticity 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Aging 2 credits
• Neuroanatomical Basis of Neurologic Disease 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 2 credits
• Neurobiology of the Visual System 2 credits

The Master of Arts program is designed to give students a solid exposure to the core areas of expertise in our department. Students choose a core curriculum that includes one of our anatomy courses: Gross Anatomy or Histology, one of our neurobiology courses, and either Cell or Molecular Biology. Master’s students who desire formal training and mentored experience in teaching also have the option of completing our Vesalius module.

Earns the MA in Anatomy & Neurobiology and offers the option of a combined Certificate in Biomedical Instruction through the Vesalius Program)

• Overview: 32-credit MA program
• Core Track requirements: 8–12 credits
• Department basic courses: 6 credits
• Department advanced courses: 4 credits
• Electives or research: 10–14 credits

Core Track Requirements: 6 credits

At least one course from Block I and at least one course from Block II:

Block I

• Medical Histology 6 credits
• Gross Anatomy 8 credits

Block II

• Systems Neurobiology 4 credits
• Cognitive Neuroscience 4 credits
• Medical Neuroscience 4 credits
• Anatomy of the Head and Neck* 2 credits

*not available to students who have taken Gross Anatomy to fulfill the Block I requirement

Department Basic Courses—Required: 6 credits

• Experimental Design and Statistics 2 credits
• Journal Club 2 credits
• Professional Development/Ethics 2 credits

Department Advanced Courses—Required: 4 credits

Offered each year

Recommended: The Vesalius Program
Includes:

• Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences 2 credits
• Directed Teaching in the Biomedical Sciences I and II 2 credits

Also offered each year

• Biomedical Forensics 2 credits
• Human Reproduction and Sexuality 3 credits

Offered once every two or three years

• Autism: Clinical and Neuroscience Perspectives 2 credits
• Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2 credits
• Neural Development and Plasticity 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Aging 2 credits
• Neuroanatomical Basis of Neurologic Disease 2 credits
• Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 2 credits
• Neurobiology of the Visual System 2 credits

Department Laboratory Course—Elective: 6 credits

• Methods in Neurobiology 2 credits

Total 8 credits

There are 16 research laboratories in the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology. They are listed below, with a brief description of each area of research.

Laboratory of Autism Neuroscience Research

The members of this laboratory study the structure of the brain in autism, and the effects of this condition on the distribution and function of receptors for neurotransmitters.

Laboratory of Brain Imaging

This laboratory uses high field MRI to investigate cortical plasticity, face representation in the cortex, and axonal connectivity. Members of the lab are also involved in the development of new MRI applications, and the verification of existing techniques using single unit recording and optical imaging.

Laboratory of Cardiovascular Biology

This laboratory investigates the regulation of venous blood pressure and fluid volume, and how these factors contribute to hypertension.

Laboratory of Cerebral Dynamics

This laboratory studies the ability of the brain to undergo structural and functional reorganization following early brain damage. In addition to anatomical and behavioral assessments, the organization of the brain is also studied using temporary deactivation provided by cooling or transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Laboratory of Cellular Biology of the Basal Ganglia and Motor Disorders

This laboratory investigates the anatomical and functional organization of the basal ganglia in the normal brain and in animal models of Parkinson’s disease, with a particular interest in dyskinesia and GABA-mediated signaling.

Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology

Dr Luebke’s laboratory is interested in the electrophysiological and morphological properties of neocortical neurons in the rodent and primate prefrontal cortex across the lifespan.

Laboratory of Cognitive Neurobiology

The Laboratory of Cognitive Neurobiology is broadly interested in the neurobiological basis of learning and memory in the primate. The role of the limbic system and prefrontal cortex are of particular interest, especially the changes with hypertension and/or advancing age.

Laboratory of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Dr. Tager-Flusberg’s laboratory has a long standing interest in the language and social-cognitive impairments in autism, and studies autistic individuals using both behavioral and brain imaging methodologies. Their studies also include children with other genetically based neurodevelopmental disorders, including specific language impairment and Williams syndrome.

Laboratory of Electron Microscopy

Dr. Peters studies the ultrastructural changes that occur with normal aging in the cells and neuropil of the cerebral hemispheres of Rhesus monkeys.

Laboratory of Systems Molecular Signaling and Chemical Biology

The members of this laboratory use molecular biological techniques to investigate the cellular basis of neurodegeneration, particularly in conditions in which genetic defects produce proteins with abnormally long sequences of the amino acid glutamatine, such as Huntington’s Disease.

Laboratory of Neuropsychology

A major focus of interest in the Laboratory of Neuropsychology is the impact of alcohol use on cognition and brain structure.

Laboratory of Retinal Microcircuitry

Dr. Zucker’s laboratory focuses on the synaptic circuitry of the mammalian retina, with a particular emphasis on the cholinergic amacrine cell.

Laboratory of Sleep and Circadian Physiology

Dr. Zhdanova’s laboratory studies the physiology of sleep and circadian rhythms in primates and zebrafish.

Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience

Research in The Laboratory for Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience is focused on aspects of the cellular and neurobiological basis of sleep. Our interests are mainly in the mechanisms and regulation of rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and in the role it plays in learning, memory and behavior and more recently anxiety.

Laboratory of Stereology and Morphometry

The focus of this laboratory is the effect of perinatal manipulation of dietary choline and folate on the structure of the brain, particularly those regions involved in spatial memory. The lab specializes in the use of stereological techniques to assess neuron number and volume.

Laboratory of Visual Neuropathology

Dr. Sandell’s laboratory studies the anatomical remodeling in human retinas from patients with retinitis pigmentosa, animal models of the disease, and the structural changes in the brain in aging monkeys.

Laboratory of Visual Perception and Cognition

The emphasis of this laboratory is on the physiology of information transmission in the normal mammalian brain, studied using MRI techniques, electrophysiology, and optical imaging.