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Degree Requirements

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SUMMARY

The Program in Neuroscience (PIN) is a course of study leading to a PhD degree. It is an interdepartmental degree program with collaborating faculty from multiple departments at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The objectives for the Program in Neuroscience are to educate and train individuals to become independent research investigators, teachers, and mentors with a broad understanding of the neurosciences as well as focused training within a subset of the areas of study comprising neuroscience. These objectives apply whether the individual’s ultimate career goal is to work in academic, government, industrial, or administrative settings. To receive the doctoral degree, the student must demonstrate evidence of proficiency and distinctive attainment in the neurosciences and a recognized ability for independent investigation as presented in a dissertation based upon original research. The following minimal requirements must be fulfilled to achieve the PhD degree in Neuroscience.

Core Courses. During the first year of study, students are required to take: Foundations in Neuroscience (NSCI 701), an intensive overview of neuroscience coupled with analysis of relevant primary literature; Fundamental Biochemistry (CMB 704), a graduate-level general biochemistry course; Experimental Design and Biostatistics (NSCI 710), a practical course focusing on common statistical approaches used in neuroscience research, and a Special Topics in Neuroscience course (NSCI 708) focusing on current issues of interest in neuroscience. Students also engage in a series of up to six 4-5 week surveys of different research laboratories affiliated with the Program (NSCI 790). During the second year of study, students engage in intensive Senior Laboratory Rotations (NSCI 791) which are typically conducted in the students’ planned dissertation laboratories. Throughout their years of study, students also engage in professional skills development with courses in Neuroscience Journal Club (NSCI 720; years 1 – 4), Scientific Writing (NSCI 721 and NSCI 722; year 2), Responsible Conduct in Research (ID 709; year 1), and Professional Skills (ID 714; year 2).

Requirements for Dissertation Candidacy. In addition to the Core Courses described above, students must successfully pass a Qualifying Examination consisting of developing and defending a research proposal selected from multiple topics submitted by PIN faculty. This is completed in the summer between the second and third years for PhD students and in the winter of the first graduate year for MD/PhD students. Successful completion is required for admission to candidacy status.

Additional Graduation Requirements. Students are required to have the results of their research accepted for publication prior to awarding of the degree. This manuscript must meet the publication requirements of the Graduate School; that is, the student must be listed as the sole first author on at least one publication reporting research findings (not a review article) in a national or international peer-reviewed journal.

SCHOLASTIC REQUIREMENTS, PROBATION AND DISMISSAL

Scholastic Requirements. In order to be in Good Academic Standing, a PhD student must maintain 1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher based on a four-point grading scale or 2) an 80% weighted numerical average. In addition, Program students must have averaged 90% or above at the completion of the Foundations in Neuroscience (NSCI 701) course.

A grade of “A” is assessed 4 points, a “B” 3 points, a “C” 2 points, and an “F” 0 points. Note the absence of the undergraduate “D” grade. A grade of “C” is (marginally) acceptable for graduate credit, but an overall GPA of ≥ 3.0 must be maintained. A grade of “F” is not acceptable for graduate credit but is included in the calculation of the student’s GPA. If a student receives an “F” in a course, the course must be re-taken. A course may be repeated only if recommended by the Program Director and Course Director. When a course is repeated, the second grade will be used in determining the student’s overall weighted average; however, the first grade will remain on the transcript. A course may be repeated only once.

Certain courses are Pass/Fail. A “P” indicates that a student has received graduate credit but has been assigned no point grade in the course. Courses that are graded in this way include special topics (NSCI 708), experimental design and biostatistics (NSCI 710), journal club (NSCI 720), writing courses (NSCI 721 and NSCI 722) and the rotation survey course (NSCI 790). A grade of “F” requires retaking the course or other remediation activities at the discretion of the Program and Course Directors in consultation with the PIN Executive Committee.

Probation. If at any time during an academic year the progress of a student is considered unsatisfactory, the student may be placed on academic probation or dismissed from the program. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 or an 80% weighted numerical average after the first year will be placed on academic probation and have 3 continuous semesters to raise their GPA to an acceptable level. Failure to do so will result in dismissal.

Dismissal. Students may be dismissed for unsatisfactory academic performance, failure to pass qualifying examinations, breaches of scientific integrity (e.g., plagiarism, falsification of data, etc.), or personnel issues (e.g., harassment). Dismissal of a student from the Program and the School of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences (SGSHS) is initiated by the Program Director and approved by the vote of the Program Executive Committee. A recommendation for dismissal is then submitted in writing to the Dean of the SGSHS (Dr. Sydney Murphy). Following her approval, Dr. Murphy will notify the student in writing of the intention to dismiss. An appeals process is in place through the SGSHS and available to the student.