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Courses required for the Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience include: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (NBIO 722), Systems and Translational Neuroscience (NBIO 723), Communicating Scientific Results (NBIO 850), Statistics for Lab Scientists (BBSP 710), Neuroscience Seminar Series (NBIO 893), and a Refresher Course on Responsible Conduct of Research (CBPH 895) (Fall of 4th year, typically 6 total Fridays 2-3:30PM). Students who are appointed to the NBIO T32 grant are required to take BBSP 710 (or an advanced statistics/modeling/computer science substitute 700+; or STOR/COMP SCI 500+) as well as NBIO 750 (Offered Spring even numbered years only). Students are also required to choose and complete two electives most beneficial to their thesis work. The Courses menu lists descriptions of these core courses of the Neuroscience Curriculum, as well as popular elective topics taken by students. Additional elective courses in Biochemistry, Statistics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Physiology, etc., are available to compensate specific deficiencies or enhance training. It is the current philosophy of the Curriculum faculty that students should receive a broad exposure to as many aspects of Neuroscience as reasonable, from molecules and genetics, through systems, behavior and human diseases of the nervous system.

*Students who receive NBIO T32 support are required to take Neuroanalytics NBIO 750 as one of their electives.

*MD/PHD students who receive NBIO T32 support are required to take Neuroanalytics NBIO 750 as one of their electives.

First year students (BBSP) planning to join Neuroscience almost always enroll in NBIO 722 and 723. Also in year one, students take formal instruction through BBSP in statistics and scientific ethics, including responsible conduct of research and rigor and reproducibility. Occasionally, BBSP students take courses in cell biology, genetics, or pharmacology and decide to enroll in Neuroscience. In this case students are still required to take NBIO 722 and 723 in year two of the program. Elective requirements are waived one-to-one for these students. MD/ PhD students joining NBIO will take NBIO 722 and 723 when they begin PhD work after the 2nd year of medical school. Elective requirements only are waived for MD/PhD students.

All students in years 2 and beyond are expected to present their own work in the Neuroscience Seminar Series once per year.

NBIO 722/723 Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience & Systems and Translational Neuroscience

Course Director: Jay Brenman, PhD

The purpose of this year-long course is to present the experimental and theoretical basis for our current understanding of nervous system function and disease. The course fosters an understanding of how we accumulate knowledge and test hypotheses in neuroscience. The course runs as a series of three blocks in the fall (722a,b,c) and three blocks in the spring (723a,b,c). It is team-taught by NBIO faculty who teach sections in their particular areas of expertise, in order to assure students gain optimal understanding of the information. Fall and Spring: Brenman and Faculty.

During their first year, all BBSP are required to perform 3 research rotations, in different labs of the Curriculum.

NBIO 850 Communication of Scientific Results
(Cross-listed: CBPH 705) typically taken Fall year 2 (year 1 for MD/PhD)

Course Directors: Hyejung Won, PhD and Doug Phanstiel, PhD

Also known as P Class (presentation class), this course is focused on the principles for effective scientific communication. The major component is focused on developing and giving scientific talks. The course also covers how to introduce speakers, prepare slides, and speak with the public about science. Finally, a written component is focused on preparation of specific aims for fellowship and grant application. Students prepare talks, refine them in small groups (3-4 students), and then present them in class. The in-class talk is digitally recorded, and these recordings are reviewed by the students in a session with their peers. After another round of refining with their small group, the students give their polished talks to the department in a formal setting. Writing is critiqued in class, with peers and guest faculty all offering input. Together, these components help the students develop their own effective speaking and writing methods, and prepare students for the next stage in their scientific careers. Fall semester, required for year 2 students (typically).

BBSP 710 Statistics for Lab Scientists typically taken Fall year 2 (may be substituted with higher level statistics course or modeling)

Course Director: Jin Szatkiewicz, PhD

BBSP 710 introduces the basic concepts and methods of statistics with emphasis on applications in the experimental biological sciences. Students should have a basic understanding of algebra and arithmetic. No previous background in probability or statistics is required, nor is experience with statistical computing. The objectives of this course are to provide graduate students in biomedical research programs familiarity with basic experimental design and elementary statistical methods. By the end of the course, students should understand the principles of experimental design, be familiar with basic statistical methods (and how they are implemented in R), and know which methods are appropriate in a given circumstance. Fall semester, typically taken year 2; may be substituted for higher level statistics with pre-approval by the DGS.

*Students who receive NBIO T32 support are required to take Neuroanalytics NBIO750 as one of their electives.

NBIO 893 Neuroscience Seminar Series required for years 2 and 3 (years 1 and 2 for MD/PhD)

Course Director: Jay Brenman, PhD

Diverse but current topics in all aspects of neuroscience. Relates new techniques and current research of notables in the field of neuroscience. Content focuses on presentations by invited, non-UNC faculty, UNC faculty and mini-series presentations from current Neuroscience students. Topics vary from week to week. Students in the Curriculum are expected to attend and participate in the Neuroscience Seminar series. Students will be enrolled in NBIO 893 each semester, for which their attendance and participation in seminars and dissertation defenses is tracked and graded. Attendance of 75% is required to pass (not including officially excused University absences (https://uaao.unc.edu/). A high pass (H) requires no more than 1 missed seminar total for the semester (regardless if excused).  Fall and Spring. This course is required for second and third year students. (Required for 1st and 2nd year MD/PhDs)

CBPH 895 Refresher Course on Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Fall year 4

Course Director: Jay Brenman, PhD

Fourth year students take a short mini-course with face to face faculty led discussions regarding issues that arise while responsibly conducting research. This is meant as a “refresher” for more experienced students that have had 1st year BBSP RCR exposure previously and includes NIH suggested topics and readings. Case studies and hypothetical situations involving potential scenarios confronting graduate students will be covered. These topics include: mentor and mentee relationships, publication authorship, collaboration, peer review, ethical use of human and animal subjects, conflicts of interest, intellectual property, plagiarism, data acquisition and data processing. Fall semester: Brenman and Faculty.

Fourth year students must take a short mini-course with face to face faculty led discussions regarding issues that arise while responsibly conducting research (Fall, Fridays 2PM-3:30PM (September-October)).