UF NEUROSCIENCE
Ph.D. in Neuroscience
Ph.D. in Neuroscience The Ph.D. in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Neuroscience is designed with a modernized curriculum that integrates well-rounded core neuroscience coursework and practical experiences, enabling neuroscience trainees to build strong quantitative skills that emphasize experimental design and statistical rigor. We strive to provide a rigorous and supportive environment that offers ample professional development and prepares students for a lifelong career in research science. With numerous advanced training programs funded by the NIH (T32s) in areas such as Alzheimer’s disease and movement disorders, our program offers considerable flexibility for each student to personalize their training experience to accomplish their own career goals.
Why Choose UF for your Neuroscience Ph.D.?
Neuroscience is one of the most rapidly advancing disciplines in science. Neuroscience Ph.D. students at UF are mentored by faculty who are passionate about advancing our understanding of the normal and disordered nervous system using state-of-the-art technologies.
Modernized Curriculum and Training Experience Our program allows trainees to develop original, impactful research relevant to preserving brain health and combating neural disease. As a neuroscience student at UF, you will receive broad interdisciplinary training that fosters independent critical thinking and develops problem-solving skills. Our program includes rigorous coursework that provides a broad perspective of the discipline and that builds strong quantitative skills that emphasize experimental design and statistical rigor. In partnership with NVIDIA, UF is becoming the AI University, and our curriculum introduces students to AI and machine learning with ample opportunity for specialization.
Professional Development Opportunities Our program offers explicit training in grant writing, scientific presentation, and scientific ethics. Our students further have access to an array of travel awards and other professional opportunities that allow students to attend national and international conferences.
Access to the Latest Technologies Whether it is the latest equipment for spatial and single-cell analysis of neuron activity, or tools for circuit analysis and behavior, UF has both robust core facilities and the scientific expertise. MBI hosts numerous core facilities, including the UF Neuromedicine Brain Bank, which hosts a collection of pathological samples for rigorous studies of neurological disease, and the Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Facility (AMRIS), which is part of the national magnet lab and provides MBI researchers with advanced capabilities to visualize brain structure and function.
By leveraging our enthusiastic mentors and the ample resources and facilities within one of the top public universities in the nation, our students have unique opportunities to excel nationally and be on the leading edge of the next generation of neuroscientists.
Specialized Training Opportunities Numerous NIH-funded programs offer specialized training across an array of neuroscience sub-specialties and opportunities for students to participate in interdisciplinary collaboration.
Curriculum and Requirements
Students will take common coursework in Years 1 and 2, with customization enabled through a selection of journal clubs and electives. Core coursework is finished by the second spring semester. Students prepare their research proposal and advance to candidacy early in their third year. In years 3-5 of the program, Ph.D. students will focus entirely on individualized training objectives and completing their dissertation research. Our advanced students can take advantage of numerous specialized training programs, and all of our students are strongly encouraged to pursue individual fellowships from national funding agencies. Our students are highly competitive nationally for federal fellowships and other national and international awards. Students are expected to publish their scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals and present their data at scientific conferences. All students enrolled are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
Requirements
| Year 1: Fall Semester | Year 2: Fall Semester |
|---|---|
| GMS 5924 Navigating the Neuroscience PhD program (1) | GMS 5905 Neuroscience Grant Writing (1) |
| GMS 6022 Principles of Neurophysiology (2) | GMS 6XXX Behavioral and Cognition Neuroscience (2) |
| GMS 6090 Lab Rotations (2) | GMS 6792 Graduate Research Seminar (1) |
| GMS 6701 Functional Neuroanatomy & Lab (3) | GMS 7979 Advanced Research (1-5) |
| GMS 7794 Neuroscience Seminar Series (1) – or – GMS 6029 AI Journal Club (1) if ERS-AI student | Elective | Complete Initial Draft of F31 Proposal |
| Spring Semester | Spring Semester |
| GMS 6023 Molecular Neuroscience & Neuropharmacology (3) | GMS 6029 Rigor and Experimental Design (1) |
| GMS 6025C Statistics for Neuroscientists (4) | GMS 6719 Computational Skills in Neuroscience (2) |
| GMS 6090 Lab Rotations (1 credit) – or – GMS 7979 Advanced Research (1) if mentor committed | GMS 6792 Graduate Research Seminar (1) | GMS 7979 Advanced Research (1-5) |
| GMS 7877 Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research (1) | Elective | Statistical Review and Refine F31 Proposal |
Browse our research areas to learn more about labs and unique training opportunities for doctoral students.
Browse our searchable database to explore mentors by name, department, center affiliation or research interest.
PhD students have the opportunity to mentor students in our undergraduate and postbacc programs.
NIH-funded training grants are available to support graduate students working in some specific research areas. Training grant support may be for 1-3 years.
Financial Support
Stipends & Tuition Waivers
Once you are admitted to the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program (both domestic and international students), you will be appointed as a Graduate Research Assistant and receive a tuition waiver. The current stipend is $37,000 annually. Stipends are paid biweekly as a salary and are intended to cover living expenses. Student fees (transportation fee, technology fee, athletic fee, activity & service fee, etc.) are approximately $738 per fall and spring semesters and $492 for the summer semester. The program covers student fees. All out-of-state U.S. citizens and permanent residents must file for reclassification as Florida residents if they are eligible.
As a graduate student admitted as a Graduate Research Assistant, you are considered an employee of the University of Florida. Some of our graduate students take advantage of teaching opportunities in order to gain pedagogical experience. You may receive additional compensation for teaching duties.
During your first two years of graduate study, your stipend will be paid by the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program. Beyond that, your stipend will be paid from other sources, usually by your mentor’s research grant or one of several NIH training grants. Your Graduate Assistantship will continue as long as you make satisfactory progress in your courses and research.
Health Insurance
The University of Florida offers GatorCare health insurance to Graduate Assistants. GatorCare is a program created with your health and wellness needs in mind. Designed to promote improved health care access, quality of care, and employee health, GatorCare is a consolidated group health insurance plan available to eligible employee groups associated with the University of Florida and its affiliates. Graduate Assistants will pay a $12.00 monthly premium toward individual coverage through payroll deduction. The university will pay the balance of the annual premium.
- GatorGradCare plan information can be found online here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GRE required for admission?
No.
Do you offer spring or summer admission?
No. We only offer fall admission.
What is the general time frame for the program?
Four years.
Is there an online option?
No. The Ph.D. in Neuroscience program is entirely on campus. Students will begin working in labs starting in their first year and continuing throughout their studies.
Do I need to contact a faculty member before I apply? How do I get matched with a faculty mentor within the field I am interested in?
When you apply, it is advised to review the faculty list we have available on this page. It would also be a good idea to include the names of faculty members you would be interested in working with within your statement of purpose. You may reach out before applying if you wish, but it is not required. If admitted, during your first year, you will be enrolled in three 6-7 week lab rotations.
When submitting my application, do all materials need to be received by the December 12th deadline?
The deadline for applications for the Ph.D. in Neuroscience program is December 12th. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 pm on that date. It is permissible for supporting documents, such as official transcripts, official test scores, and letters of recommendation, to be received at a later date. Keep in mind that applications are reviewed and decisions are made on a rolling basis, so the earlier you submit all required documents, the earlier you may be considered for the program.
If admitted, will I be fully funded as a student?
Yes. If you are admitted, you will automatically be given a tuition waiver, hired as a graduate assistant, and provided a stipend. You will need to make sure you maintain satisfactory academic progress and full-time enrollment status.
The graduate application portal suggested that the statement of purpose be only 400-500 words. Is this correct for this program?
This is just a general guideline purported by the graduate school; this is not program specific. For the Ph.D. in Neuroscience program, we ask that your statement of purpose be approximately 1,000 words.
Is there a specific undergraduate degree I should have in order to apply?
No. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds in science-related programs (biological science, clinical disciplines), as well as others.
What are the prerequisites for entering the program?
While there are no official prerequisites, we recommend that applicants have 1-2 years of research experience.
What if my bachelor’s/master’s program is still in progress? May I still apply?
Many of our applicants are currently enrolled in their educational programs. You are welcome to apply to the Ph.D. program, provided you complete your prior program before starting your Ph.D. studies. Additionally, you will need to submit your official transcripts to the University of Florida after graduating from your previous program.
What is the admissions process?
The Admissions Committee will begin accepting applications in October of the year prior to the following fall matriculation date. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis from that time forward. Submitting your application early is highly desirable, as admission to the Ph.D. in Neuroscience program is very competitive.
The Admissions Committee only reviews complete applications, so be sure that you submit all required documents as soon as possible. The Admissions Committee evaluates each applicant holistically.
Once all application materials are received, the Admissions Committee evaluates the application to determine if the enrollment criteria are met. If the initial review is positive, the applicant is invited for an interview, which usually takes place in February. The interview visit typically includes formal interviews with the neuroscience faculty, students, and staff.
Following the interview, the Admissions Committee makes a decision. Applicants then receive a letter of notification regarding the admissions decision beginning in early March to mid-April.
What are the minimum GPA requirements for admission to the program?
The Graduate School at UF requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate studies. These are not the only benchmarks by which we evaluate students. Emphasis is also placed on performance in relevant undergraduate/graduate courses (i.e., biology, science), statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular and research experience.
Do I need neuroscience or research experience to be admitted to the Ph.D. in Neuroscience program?
While previous neuroscience research experience is looked at favorably, it is not required. A background from a related science discipline, with at least 1-2 years of full-time research experience, is ideal.
Who should I get recommendations from?
You should ask for recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic achievement and who can address your potential for success in the Ph.D. in Neuroscience program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include at least one letter from a research mentor. If you have been out of school for a number of years and are unable to contact former professors, letters from other individuals who can address your achievements will be accepted. References must be current (within the last four years). If you encounter any issues with recommenders uploading their letters, please have them email the academic coordinator directly.
What is considered a complete application?
A completed online application form, the application fee (this includes current UF students), Statement of Purpose, a current resume, three (3) letters of recommendation, unofficial and official transcripts (this includes current UF students), and TOEFL/IELTS scores (if international).
May I submit my application before my recommenders submit their letters?
Yes. Please make sure all letters are submitted by the application deadline listed on our program webpage. If you encounter any issues with recommenders uploading their letters, please have them email the academic coordinator directly.
Still have questions? Contact the PhD Academic Coordinator.