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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

Courses in Anatomy & Neurobiology

The Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology offers a variety of courses that provide in-depth knowledge of anatomy and neurobiology, focusing on foundational topics and advanced research.

Graduate Stipend

The Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology supports all PhD students by providing an annual stipend that covers 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 Division’s website
Graduate Housing

UCI 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.

Graduate Housing Office
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.

Explore Family-Related Benefits

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. 

To apply, please complete UCI's online Graduate Application for Admission:

  • Select School of Biological Sciences from the drop-down
  • Then select Interdepartmental Neuroscience PhD
  • Application requirements include:
    • Official post-secondary transcripts
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • GRE scores (no subject tests 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.

Please contact our graduate and medical education programs coordinator for more information.

Contact Us

 

For comprehensive details, please refer to the student handbook.

View Student Handbook