Graduate Program in Neuroscience University of Minnesota

1
Graduate Program in Neuroscience University of
Minnesota

• Bill Engeland
• Neil Schmitzer-Torbert
• Ginger Seybold

2
First year Introduction to discipline and
program

• Itasca Summer course
• Orientation
• Hands-On Lab Experience
• Builds Community
• Initiates Faculty-Student Relationship
• Core courses
• Didactic and comprehensive
• Writing intensive
• Introduces idea that dogma can be challenged
• Requires personal sacrifice for success

3
Introduction to the research enterprise

• The Environment
• Weekly Colloquium /Seminars
• Outreach activities
• The Curriculum
• Journal Clubs
• Career Skills course
• The Committee
• Diversity of ideas and approaches
• The Advisor
• An Apprenticeship

4
Significant Transition

• The Written Prelim
• Transition from classroom to laboratory
• Competency in core concepts
• The Oral Prelim
• Transition to independence
• Writing and defending a research proposal

5
Dissertation and defense

• Dissertation research
• topic selection guided by funding issues
• thesis committee selection based on expertise
  and experience
• Criteria for completion of degree
• scholarship
• independence

6
The Balancing Act

• Where does stewardship rank on the list of
  priorities for graduate faculty?
• How do limited time and resources affect the
  training environment?

7
Innovation

• The Weekly Neuroscience Colloquium
• Builds community
• Venue for sharing information
• Forum for student research presentations

8
Novel Idea

• Develop an internship program for Ph.D. students
  that expands career opportunities
• Gain experience in the private sector, government
  or teaching institutions
• Expand avenues for utilizing research, thinking
  and communications skills