Anatomy & Neurobiology About Contact Us Message from the Chair History Jobs People Faculty Members Graduate Students Postdoctoral Scholars Training Graduate Program Postdoctoral Training Courses Anatomy Academy Grad Day Research Seminars Conte Center Seminar Series Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology Seminar Series Progress in Neuroscience Seminar Series Research Centers Giving Graduate Program Home Research Anatomy & Neurobiology: Home Anatomy & Neurobiology: Training Anatomy & Neurobiology: Training > Graduate Program A&N Graduate Advisor: Robert Hunt A&N Student Handbook Application and Admission Graduate students typically enter the department of Anatomy & Neurobiology through the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (INP). Faculty from several departments and schools, whose research in neuroscience is guided by many disciplines, participate in the INP. Students in this umbrella program have the opportunity to train with any faculty member of a participating department and are exposed to a variety of approaches before deciding on a research area for focused dissertation work. After the initial year of general neuroscience training, students join the more specialized graduate program of their chosen thesis advisor. How To Apply Please complete UCI's online Graduate Application for Admission – select “School of Biological Sciences” from the school drop-down menu, then select “Interdepartmental Neuroscience PhD”. You will be asked to provide official post-secondary academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores (GRE subject tests are not required). A successful applicant will likely have a Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, cognitive science or neuroscience as well as some laboratory research experience. Applications are due in early December, and prospective students will be invited to visit campus in late January. Admission decisions are sent out throughout February and March, and enrollment must be decided by April 15th. Graduate Stipend The Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology supports all PhD students by providing an annual stipend, including payment of a stipend, tuition and health insurance. Your stipend may consist of funds from various sources, including research grants, fellowships, research contracts and training assistantships. Students are responsible for paying all student fees, late fees, etc. Further information and funding opportunities can be found on Graduate Division’s website. Graduate housing UC Irvine offers apartment style housing to graduate and professional degree students and families. The graduate housing office provides full details on housing options and the application process. Students with families Many graduate students have families or are considering becoming parents. UCI is committed to providing a supportive and family-friendly environment on campus so that students can meet both their academic and familial needs. Certain graduate student fellows who meet minimum criteria may be eligible for the childcare reimbursement program. See an overview of family-related benefits available to UCI graduate students. Requirements All enrolled students must attend at least 80% of the department’s seminars. These include journal club, PiN and Epicenter talks. Year 1 Participate in and complete all Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (INP) or Medical Science Training Program (MSTP) required coursework. Select a thesis advisor. Year 2 Begin thesis research Participate in ANATOMY 227: Current Topics in Neuroscience (Journal Club) Participate and present in Progress in Neurobiology (PiN) seminars Attend and participate in A&N Grad Day Attend and participate in A&N seminars Conduct annual IDP evaluation with your advisor Select a pre-advancement faculty advisory committee Hold first committee meeting with your committee Year 3 Continue thesis research Participate in ANATOMY 227: Current Topics in Neuroscience (Journal Club) Participate and present in Progress in Neurobiology (PiN) seminars Participate in A&N Grad Day and present your research Attend and participate in A&N seminars Conduct annual IDP evaluation with your advisor Hold a faculty advisory committee meeting Advance to candidacy Year 4 Continue Dissertation research Participate in ANATOMY 227: Current Topics in Neuroscience (Journal Club) Participate and present in Progress in Neurobiology (PiN) seminars Participate in A&N Grad Day and present your research Attend and participate in A&N seminars Conduct annual IDP evaluation with your advisor Meet with committee twice yearly to discuss progress toward a PhD Year 5 Complete thesis research Participate in ANATOMY 227: Current Topics in Neuroscience (Journal Club) Participate and present in Progress in Neurobiology (PiN) seminars Participate in A&N Grad Day and present your research Attend and participate in A&N seminars Conduct Pre-defense thesis evaluation meeting with your faculty advisory committee Prepare thesis Defend thesis Please refer to the A&N Grad Handbook for detailed information. Teaching There is no formal teaching requirement as part of your graduate training in A&N. However, UCI offers many opportunities to gain teaching experience. If you have an interest in incorporating teaching into your graduate training, you should explore the various opportunities available to you with your faculty advisor and mentorship committee. Teaching assistantship (TA) TA opportunities are often available in the School of Biological Science. The UCI School of Medicine requires their PhD students to take the university's TA training, known as TAPDP (TA Professional Development Program) before accepting TA positions. This is for students to be TA ready. TAPDP is offered each Fall quarter. The training is valuable to develop personal time and project management, pedagogical skills, and support strategies for supervising undergrads in your labs. Additionally, the training connects PhD students in similar fields of study. Previous participants have considered this training instrumental in preparing for their roles as TAs and in succeeding professionally. Certificate in teaching excellence program (CTEP) The Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation (DTEI) is offering its Certificate in Teaching Excellence Program (CTEP). CTEP provides pedagogical training for UCI graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in a flexible and self-paced manner. Graduate Forms and Documents Departmental Form: Advisement Committee Meeting Report (PDF) A&N Grad Handbook (PDF)