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University of Wyoming

Doctor of Philisophy Degree in Neuroscience

Program of Study

Neuroscience Degree Requirements
The Neuroscience Program emphasizes continuing interaction with faculty from several departments. You will emerge from this program with a problem-oriented, rather than discipline-bound, approach to research.

All neuroscience students are required to complete a 30-hour program of core courses that includes the following required courses: Graduate Neuroscience, Structure & Function of the Nervous System, and Neurophysiology. The remainder of the 30-hour requirement is selected from designated courses in physiology, chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, statistics, and psychology. The Neuroscience Program is a research-oriented program and students are expected to take a minimum of 2-3 credit hours of research per semester. Students are also expected to enroll in an ongoing Seminar in Neuroscience (2 credits) each semester. The Neuroscience Seminar, which meets weekly and is attended by students and faculty members, provides an opportunity for intellectual and social exchange. The topic and the faculty member directing the seminar changes each semester. Topics are reviewed intensively during the seminar and students take the lead in summarizing articles to the group. The student’s education is met through course work, the Neuroscience Seminar, neuroscience and biological science seminars, research training, journal clubs, lab meetings, and interactions with the student’s advisory committee.

The program of study must include a minimum of 72 semester hours of credit at the 4000 level or above from UW or equivalent levels from another approved university. This 72 hour requirement may include graduate credits earned while working toward the Master’s degree in the same area, but at least 42 hours (of the 72) must be earned in formal course work. Additional credits toward the 72 hour requirement may include additional formal course credits, 5980: Dissertation Research credits, or 5990: Internship credits. The program of study must be on file with the Graduate School before the preliminary examination can be scheduled.


Advisory Committee
Early in the student’s tenure in a doctoral program, a major professor and a graduate committee will be assigned by the dean of the Graduate School. Recommendation for members of the student’s graduate committee may originate with the major professor in consultation with the student, and should be approved by the department/division head prior to submission to the Graduate School.

The committee will consist of at least five members, including the major professor (chairman). Not fewer than three, nor more than four, members will be faculty in the Neuroscience Program. The chairperson and (at least) one member from outside the major department/division will be members of the graduate faculty. A member from outside the University of Wyoming may be appointed to the committee.

The committee will serve in an advisory capacity for development of the student’s course work and research programs and must approve the official program filed with the Graduate School. The committee will also determine Pass or Fail on the preliminary examination, approve or disapprove the dissertation, and conduct the final examination.

Changes in committee membership or major professor assignment can be made at any time by the dean of the Graduate School after consultation with the department/division head and the committee chairman.


Preliminary Examination
When a student’s major professor believes the student is ready for the preliminary examination, a request will be made for the Graduate School to send the appropriate form to the candidate’s graduate committee. This examination will be held at least 15 weeks prior to the final examination.

The preliminary examination may not be given before: (a) the research tool requirements, if any, have been met and certification approved by the Graduate School; (b) at least 30 hours of course work have been completed; and (c) the doctoral Program of Study has been approved by the Graduate School.

The examination results must be submitted to the Graduate School, on the form provided by the Graduate School, including the indication of Pass or Fail by each graduate committee member. The favorable vote of the majority of the student’s graduate committee members will be accepted as passing. In case of failure, the student may attempt the examination once more after not less than one nor more than four semesters have elapsed.

When the preliminary examination has been successfully completed, and the report of the committee is on file in the Graduate School, the student is considered a doctoral student admitted to candidacy for the degree.


Dissertation
Each candidate must present a dissertation describing and interpreting the results of original research. The dissertation must show by its form and organization the ability to write acceptably and to use the English language well. Its contents should show maturity of judgment, depth of scholarship, and familiarity with research methods in the field. No attempt will be made to evaluate the dissertation in terms of credit hours.

The dissertation must be approved by the student’s graduate committee as part of the final examination and must meet the standards established by the University of Wyoming Libraries, University Microfilms, Inc., and the UW Graduate Faculty. Typewritten copies must be in the hands of the student’s committee at least three weeks before the final examination. The dissertation must be available for inspection by any other member of the graduate faculty who may wish to examine it.


Completion of Requirements
A form is available in the Graduate School offices for certifying completion of academic requirements, payment of fees, and for registration with the National Research Council Survey of Earned Doctorates and with University Microfilms, Inc.

Two copies of the dissertation that meet the regulations established by the Graduate Faculty and Coe Library must be filed with the Graduate School. One copy of the dissertation will be bound and catalogued by Coe Library; the second copy will be microfilmed and returned to the appropriate department.

Registration with University Microfilms, Inc., require completion of a registration form, one extra copy of the title page, and one copy of an abstract (of not more than 350 words) that has been approved by the student’s major professor to be filed in the Graduate School at the time the two copies of the dissertation are delivered.

On or before the date established for fulfilling the requirements for advanced degrees each semester, the Graduate School requires one copy of the form provided for registration with the National Research Council Survey of Earned Doctorates and the completed Completion of Requirements Form.

In some cases, where significant university funds or resources have been used in dissertation research, the university may claim an interest in patenting or copyrighting the results. When this seems likely, the student (or the student’s major professor) should consult with the dean of the Graduate School or the vice president for research.