Prospective pharmacology & neuroscience graduate students

 Welcome to the Pharmacology and Neuroscience Concentration

• Part of the Multidisciplinary Biomedical and Biological Sciences (MBBS) Graduate Program
• Offers advanced coursework and an intensive research experience leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree for those seeking careers in academia, industry, government and/or administration.  
• Located in Springfield, Illinois at the SIU-School of Medicine campus.
• Training in the application of state-of-the art anatomical, microscopy, behavioral, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques to in vitro or in vivo model systems to address research questions in sensory processing, motor processing, circadian biology, neurodevelopmental disorders, pain, epilepsy, cancer, muscle physiology, memory, and drug addiction, among others.
• Faculty provide expertise and training in a broad range of research areas. 

Admissions

• Applicants should apply to the MBBS Graduate Program
• Choose to enter the Pharmacology & Neuroscience Concentration directly or through the Interdisciplinary Rotations-Springfield.
• Students applying to Interdisciplinary Rotations-Springfield can select laboratory rotations in Pharmacology & Neuroscience or Cell Biology, Immunology & Cancer Biology.
• Preference for admissions is given to students entering the Ph.D. track.

Financial Aid

• The Department of Pharmacology offers research assistantships with a tuition waiver to qualified applicants accepted into the Concentration
• Financial assistance depends on availability, the student’s qualifications and academic status.

Program Overview

• Two years of advanced didactic coursework in pharmacology and related disciplines.
• Integrated broad technical training through laboratory research rotations and a dissertation project on a focused area of research.
• Completion of dissertation research in collaboration with a faculty advisor.
• Presentation of research findings at local, national and international scientific venues.
• Publication of research in competitive scientific journals.

Curriculum

A Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Neuroscience provides intensive didactic coursework, followed by development of a research project and immersion in a research experience. A foundation of coursework in Neuroscience and Pharmacology is coupled with electives in research methods, molecular biology and statistics. Students enroll in a Scientific Communication course each semester to develop their written and oral communication skills. There is a major emphasis on research and most of the students’ time after the first three semesters is devoted to development and completion of a research project.

Third Year*
Ph.D. students complete Dissertation Project Proposal 

Fourth and Fifth Year*
Ph.D. Students Complete Dissertation. 

*M.S. and Ph.D. students must enroll in MBBS 501 Advanced Scientific Communication for each semester until graduation.