Why study this program?
The Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute at the University of Alberta is a group of more than 170 neuroscientists from approximately 27 departments across eight faculties, two schools, and three colleges. The Institute offers a graduate program that is designed for students who desire a broad training in various experimental and theoretical aspects of neuroscience while maintaining a research program that may be more specialized. This can be achieved by drawing on the expertise of specialists (members of the Institute) from various departments throughout the University who have research interests in neuroscience. The graduate program in Neuroscience offers both degrees of PhD and MSc through thesis research. Applicants not having a MSc degree will initially be admitted to the MSc program for the first year, after which they may transfer to the PhD program, provided their thesis proposal has been accepted and appropriate courses passed.
Inquiries about this program should be directed to the Graduate Program Administrator in the NMI, nmhi.edu@ualberta.ca. Complete details of the programs and their requirements are available in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Manual.
Entrance Requirements
See Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Graduate Program Entrance Requirements.
Applicants to the MSc program are expected to have completed the following courses or their equivalents:
Students deficient in this area may be expected to take these courses as extra-to-degree as a condition of admission.
Applicants to the PhD program who do not have a sufficient Neuroscience background may be required to take additional courses to ensure an adequate background. These will be considered extra-to-degree.
The NMHI Graduate Program Committee (GPC) evaluates the background in Neuroscience of each prospective student and selects appropriate courses.
Program Core Competencies
The following are the program-specific requirements to satisfy the FoMD’s Program Core Competencies (See Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Program Core Competencies).
MSc students are required to complete a total of 3 units of graduate level coursework from Critical Reading/Thinking and Background Knowledge core competencies.
The only exception to course requirements for the MSc degree would be for clinical trainees such as medical residents, who, in consultation with and approval of the graduate coordinator, may be exempted
Students, in consultation with their supervisory committees, may also select courses in other areas important to their research programs.
1. Professional Development and Ethics
See GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement and GPS Professional Development Requirement.
2. Communication
Students are required to attend Neuroscience seminars and participate in Neuroscience Research Day (NRD) on an annual basis. Seminar attendance and participation in NRD is reported annually to the Graduate Program Administrator.
3. Critical Reading/Thinking
Students have options for developing competency in this area including: NEURO 500 or NEURO 501 or a directed reading course.
4. Background Knowledge
The list below includes courses that have been pre-approved. Students wishing to take a course not listed must receive approval prior to registration by emailing the Director of Graduate Studies for the program (and copying their supervisor and the NMHI Graduate Program Administrator). The email should include the course description and a rationale for how the course fits the research program of the student.
The courses for the Neuroscience programs are
- CELL 502 - The Birth and Death of a Cell
- EDPY 500 - Introduction to Data Analysis in Educational Research
- EDPY 505 - Quantitative Methods I
- NEURO 500 - Research in Neuroscience
- NEURO 501 - Graduate Research Project
- NEURO 510 - Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders
- NEURO 511 - Clinical and Basic Science Aspects of Age-related Neurodegenerative Disorders
- NEURO 520 - Neuroplasticity
- NEURO 525 - Neuroimaging in Neuroscience
- NEURO 572 - Current Topics in Autonomic Neuroscience
- NEURO 603 - Graduate Colloquium in Neuroscience
- NEURO 621 - The Art of Grant Writing
- NEURO 698 - Undergraduate Research Mentoring
- NEURO 699 - Undergraduate Research Mentoring
- PHYSL 544 - Current Topics in Neuroscience
- PMCOL 575 - Signal Transduction Systems as Pharmacological Targets
- PMCOL 612 - Drugs and the Nervous System
- PSYCH 574 - Advanced Topics in Neuroscience
- PSYCH 576 - Cognitive Neuroscience
- PSYCI 511 - Biological Aspects of Psychiatry
- PTHER 567 - Neuroscience for Rehabilitation
Thesis
Registration in 900-level THES. Students are required to prepare and defend a thesis on a topic approved by their supervisor and supervisory committee.
Courses
Descriptions of these courses can be found in Course Listings, under the relevant subject headings:
Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Cell Biology (CELL)
Educational Psychology (EDPY)
Neuroscience (NEURO)
Pharmacology (PMCOL)
Physical Therapy (PTHER)
Physiology (PHYSL)
Psychiatry (PSYCI)
Psychology (PSYCH)
Additional courses offered by other departments that are deemed relevant to the student’s research interests may be approved on an individual basis.
Financial assistance in the form of Graduate Research Assistant Fellowships from supervisor operating funds is normally available to students in good standing. Students may also be eligible for awards from the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Exceptionally qualified applicants may be nominated for University of Alberta entrance scholarships. Other funding is provided by scholarships awarded to students by various agencies including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Provincial Government of Alberta. Students will be expected to apply for such external funding.
For general information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research site.The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
Please refer to the detailed program information or email nmhi@ualberta.ca.
General inquiriesPlease check out some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQS) to see if your question has been answered, or contact the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) during our office hours.
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)
Killam Centre for Advanced Studies
2-29 Triffo Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1