Neuroscience Ph.D. Programs and Research Opportunities

As a neuroscientist, not only will you have a deep understanding of the brain and how it communicates with every facet of the body, your knowledge can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. We strive to provide a rigorous and supportive environment that prepares students for a lifelong career in research science. While expecting competency in fundamental neuroscience principles, our goal is to offer considerable flexibility in the individual training experience so that each student can realize his or her own career goals.

Academic Curriculum and Training

At UAB, we provide coursework and research opportunities to help you as you pursue a career in research, academia, or industry. As a matter of fact, our neuroscience PhD program is a portal into all sorts of neuroscience research opportunities. First, we'll start you out with courses that cover such topics as:

• molecular and cellular neurobiology
• development of the nervous system
• synaptic physiology
• diseases of the nervous system
• systems neuroscience

Furthermore, our program includes rigorous coursework, specialized seminar series, and explicit training in grant writing and other professional skills. As part of your lab rotations and other hands-on experiences, you'll work closely with experts, faculty, and clinicians in a collaborative environment.

Research Specializations and Opportunities

Neuroscience is one of the most rapidly advancing disciplines in science. Graduate students are mentored by faculty who are passionate about advancing our understanding of the normal and disordered nervous system using state-of-the-art technologies. Our program provides a fertile ground for trainees to develop original research that will contribute to the field and that is directly relevant to preserving brain health and combatting neural disease.

The following table outlines the diverse research areas available within the program:

Unique Training Experiences

You'll have tons of unique courses and research opportunities, such as the introductory Dauphin Island Sea Lab course and Summer Seminar Series. In addition, the University of Florida Health Science Center hosts seven NIH-funded Training (T32) awards that offer specialized training across an array of neuroscience sub-specialities. Our trainees have extensive opportunities to present their research for colleagues and at national and international conferences. By leveraging our enthusiastic mentors, and the ample resources and facilities, our students have unique opportunities to excel nationally and be on the leading-edge of the next generation of neuroscientists.