Neuroscience comprises a united field that integrates across many disciplines, and students from a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program (INP). New students must complete a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent before enrolling. U.S. residents and international applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Typical undergraduate majors that constitute preparation for graduate work in neuroscience include, but are not limited to, biochemistry, engineering, biology, computer science, chemistry, physics, neurobiology, physics and psychology. Students interested in the program are encouraged to contact members of the INP faculty directly by phone or email; for contact information see web pages for individual faculty. Students interested in admission should use the application pages provided (Application Forms; requires Adobe Arcobat Reader) and also should contact:

Nila Emerich
218 Tucker Hall
Division of Biological Sciences
Columbia, MO 65211-7400
(573) 882-1847
1-800-553-5698
EmerichN@missouri.edu

Program:

The neuroscience program was recently established with the strong support of the University's neuroscience community and its administration. The program's objectives are to:

1. Promote basic and clinical research that investigates the molecular and cellular organization of the nervous system, the function of neural systems including vision and hearing, behaviors generated by the brain, and neurological diseases and disorders.
2. Provide a broad and yet individualized training experience required for our graduates to succeed in future careers in academic research and teaching institutions, industry, and scientific publication.
3. Facilitate the creative exchange of ideas within the University of Missouri-Columbia Neuroscience community, stimulating new forms of interdisciplinary research and teaching.

The Neuroscience Community:

Neuroscience research at the University of Missouri-Columbia includes a network of 37 investigators who perform basic and clinical research in the departments of biochemistry, biological sciences, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, physiology, psychology, psychiatry-neurology, and veterinary biomedicine. They examine, for example, how the precise wiring of the nervous system develops, how interactions between neurons mediate acoustic communication, baroreception and cardiac function, the mechanisms of neural regeneration in response to injury, and the underpinnings of learning and memory. Students admitted to this program can choose their thesis mentor from among this diverse faculty.

Program:

The Neuroscience program provides a comprehensive course of study emphasizing: mentoring, research rotations, a strong and unifying core curriculum, teaching skills, a broadly-based and individualized program of study, writing and presentation skills and independent research.

The goal of the Neuroscience Program is to provide extensive training in the areas of molecular, cellular, behavior and systems neuroscience. All students are required to take Neurobiology 339. In consultation with their advisers, students are also required to take two of the following courses:

• Developmental Neurobiology 445
• Neurobiochemistry 469
• Cognitive Neurosciences 390
• Clinical Psychophysiology 367

In addition, students will receive training in scientific ethics and in written and oral communication development.

Scientific Exchange:

The Neuroscience Program sponsors a seminar series featuring local, regional, national and international scientists. Each year, a Neuroscience Symposium will be held at the University that emphasizes a major theme in neuroscience research and includes a campus wide research poster session.

Financial Aid:

All students accepted to the program will receive financial support in the form of Neuroscience Graduate Fellowships for their first two years of graduate study. In subsequent years the student will be supported by one of the following: graduate research assistantships, training grant support or teaching assistantships.

Other Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs at the University of Missouri-Columbia:

Molecular Biology Program

(biotech.missouri.edu/mbp/)

Genetics Area Program

(biotech.missouri.edu/genetics)

list of contacts at MU