Neuroscience

University of Idaho's distinctive neuroscience graduate program uniquely merges biological, cognitive and computational neurosciences to give you the big-picture perspective and diverse research experiences required to study the nervous system. With a master's or doctorate degree in neuroscience, you'll be prepared to research and contribute to the scientific understanding of brain and spinal cord function.

As a student in the neuroscience graduate program, you will acquire specialized knowledge in one of the following areas of neuroscience:

• Neurobiology: Study of the biological aspects of neuroscience, the genetic basis of behavior.
• Cognitive Neuroscience: Study of the brain/behavior relationships to cognitive function.
• Computational Neuroscience: The use of computing and modeling methods to understand the nervous system.

Drawing on the expertise and resources of 11 University of Idaho departments in four colleges, the integrated neuroscience graduate program exposes you to all disciplines that define the broad field of neuroscience. You will develop a common language with other neuroscientists, as well as the multidisciplinary knowledge and research experience required for a career in the field. You will work alongside your faculty mentor to conduct original research in your chosen area of specialization. Students also gain firsthand experience with the tools and technologies used in the study of the nervous system.

The University of Idaho Neuroscience Graduate Program partners with the neuroscience graduate program at nearby Washington State University. This collaboration gives students access to faculty expertise and resources from both research universities.

Prepare for Success

Acceptance into the University of Idaho Neuroscience Graduate Program is highly competitive. Neuroscience is a research-intensive field that demands exceptional analytical, investigative and problem-solving skills. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in this newly emerging discipline, you should have a strong scientific background and an undergraduate degree related to one of the following three program focuses: neurobiology (biology), cognitive neuroscience (psychology) or computational neuroscience (computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics).

Your First Year

During your first year of the 32-credit master’s degree program (78 credits for a Ph.D.), you may be required to complete general background courses. For example, biology majors with little knowledge of computation would take at least one background course in computer science. All students, regardless of their area of specialization, will form an interdisciplinary foundation by completing the following core courses early in the program:

• Principles of Neurobiology
• Biological Signal Processing
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Ethics in Science
• Statistical Analysis or Research Methods

Committee Selection

Each master’s student will establish a graduate committee of at least three faculty members, and each Ph.D. student’s committee will consist of at least four. This committee will represent at least two of the three neuroscience disciplines (neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, and computational neuroscience).

What You Can Do

With an advanced degree in neuroscience, you may pursue a career studying the nervous system as a:

• Neuroscientist
• Neuroanatomist
• Neurobiologist
• Neurochemist
• Neuropharmacologist
• Neurophysiologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Neuroradiologist
• Physiological psychologist
• Psychobiologist
• Biological psychologist
• Psychophysicist

Opportunities

As a graduate of the integrated University of Idaho Neuroscience Graduate Program, you will be prepared to succeed in the rapidly changing, interdisciplinary field of neuroscience. The fairly new discipline combines several traditional fields including genetics, anatomy, chemistry, development, immunology, zoology, psychology, physiology, philosophy, computer science and engineering.

Neuroscientists often work in teams in an effort to understand how the brain and nervous system function. This knowledge can potentially contribute to medical science in such areas as the treatment of neurological disorders, examples of which potentially include diseases such as Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis. The knowledge gained from neuroscience research also has potential applications in new drug design and neuroprosthetic devices for improving the quality of life for people who have suffered strokes, diseases or accidents producing physical impairments.

Graduates are positioned competitively for excellent research-oriented career opportunities in academia, government, private industry and the health care industry.

Current Research

The interdisciplinary nature of the University of Idaho Neuroscience Graduate Program creates many collaborative research opportunities. You may have the chance to work with members of the faculty of 11 different  departments and four colleges who are currently engaged in leading neuroscience research in such areas as:

• Neurobiology: Neurogenesis, the genetic basis of behavior and the development of the nervous system and sensory system.
• Cognitive Neuroscience: Visual effects such as optical illusions, and how the brain learns to work when it’s confronted with something new.
• Computational Neuroscience: Neural network models, early development of intelligence, and the use of genetic and evolutionary computing methods to understand the spinal cord and the spinal muscular system.

Hands-On Experience

Regardless of your specialization, you will gain research experience in all three areas of the program (neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience and computational neuroscience) and you will conduct laboratory experiments with personal mentorship from faculty with expertise in a variety of disciplines. Your research experiences may include:

• Thesis or Dissertation: Substantial original research is required of both M.S. and Ph.D. students, under the supervision of the major professor. Significant and high-quality original research is the principal objective of the graduate degree in neuroscience. It is expected that this research be published in peer-reviewed literature as one or more manuscripts. In addition, M.S. students complete a written thesis, and Ph.D. students a written dissertation, which must be approved by the students’ committees. The thesis or dissertation is presented at a public seminar.
• Fellowships and Assistantships: Students in the neuroscience graduate program are encouraged to apply for a research assistantship and other funding opportunities for student research.
• Rotations: All Ph.D. students are encouraged to engage in a full academic year of research rotations, conducting research in up to four different laboratories and prior to final selection of a major professor.

Facilities

The University of Idaho offers exceptional research facilities available to neuroscience program students. These include:

• Microscopy facilities
• Sequencing and microarray facilities (arrayers and scanners)
• Animal facilities (behavior testing rooms, mouse and zebra fish facilities)
• Human factors research facilities
• Bioinformatics resources
• High-throughput computing resources
• Library resources