Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology- Neuroscience

The Neuroscience curriculum includes four core courses (behavioral neuroscience, cellular and molecular neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and proseminar in biological psychology). Other required courses include a statistics course, seminar in neuroscience (three semesters of official enrollment), and three electives, chosen in consultation with the major professor. Students should consult the department’s Doctoral Student Handbook for details.Neuroscience is devoted to the study of the nervous system. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the intellectual and technical skills necessary for a productive career in academics or industry. Students are part of the greater Milwaukee Area Neuroscience group, which includes faculty members and students from various departments at UWM, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Marquette University. Students learn a wide range of techniques working with laboratory animals and human subjects. These include experimental design, behavioral testing and analysis, neurophysiology, aseptic surgical techniques, quantitative protein and mRNA assays, immunohistochemistry, eyetracking, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Current research topics include cellular and molecular mechanisms of learning and memory; mapping brain areas involved in memory and emotion in humans and rodents using fMRI; effects of exercise on cerebral blood flow; mechanisms of recovery from brain damage; visual attention; effects of aging on learning and memory; and the role of calcium and calcium-binding proteins in ischemic cell death.

A baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent as determined by the UWM Center on International Education, from a regionally accredited institution.

A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or an equivalent measure on a grading system that does not use a 4.0 scale.

Those whose undergraduate GPA is below 2.75 must provide evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study through at least one of the following: GPA of at least 3.0 during the last two years of the baccalaureate program (calculated on a minimum of 48 credits). Completion of six or more credits of program-approved post-baccalaureate courses. These courses must be at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level, taken within the last five years with a grade of B or better (B-minus not acceptable). Submission of official score reports from the Graduate Record Examination, the Graduate Management Admission Test, or the Miller Analogies Test that indicate competencies in areas related to the proposed graduate program. To be considered official, these scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to UWM, and must be received prior to admission. Scores on tests developed by the proposed graduate program that demonstrate potential for success in that program. These scores must be submitted prior to admission. Evidence of professional certification or licensure in a relevant area as determined by the proposed program and the assistant dean of graduate education. A graduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA