 | What are neuroscience graduate programs looking for in the preparation of their prospective students? |
This varies tremendously depending not only on the type of graduate program but also the mentor within the program since most graduate programs are staffed by faculty who are also within the traditional disciplines of chemistry, zoology, and psychology. One neuroscience recruiter from a recognized graduate school in neuroscience within a medical setting (Penn), made the following recommendation:
- one, but preferably two years of chemistry. Biochemistry recommended but not expected
- one course in basic human anatomy, genetics
- one or two courses in research and quantitative methods
- one course in biopsychology, physiological psychology
- one year of general physics
- one course in animal behavior
An individual specializing in the chemical bases of behavior would likely prefer to see more chemistry, someone specializing in neural anatomy would likely prefer more comparative anatomy and physiology, and someone specializing in electrophysiology would likely prefer more physics, physiology, and psychology. Our proposed core requirements will meet the minimum requirements of almost any graduate program in neuroscience and taken together with a major within one of the three departments greatly exceed the entrance expectations of any specific program or mentor within a neuroscience graduate program.