NEUROBIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
Discussion Group

The Department of Neurobiology’s doctoral program provides a strong theoretical and practical foundation in the area of cellular and systems neurobiology with the goal of developing a better understanding of nervous system function and behavior. The graduate program has three major aims: to provide

  • basic and advanced instruction in the fundamentals of neurobiology,
  • advanced independent research training in the areas of cellular, structural and systems neurobiology,
  • teaching experience in undergraduate and professional (dental and medical) courses in neuroscience.

The educational program consists of a core series of courses (NB 200A-G) that provide fundamental training in neurobiology. Course subject matter is focused on molecular, cellular, structural, systems and regulatory neurobiology. Advanced topic seminar courses (NB 298A-C) provide training in synaptic and neuronal communication, neuronal plasticity, neuroanatomy, learning and memory, neuroendocrinology, developmental neurobiology, sensory and motor systems, and integrative neurobiology. The educational program is also distinguished by the availability of seminars and journal clubs (NB M270, NB 296) that provide students with the opportunity for discussion and presentation of contemporary neuroscience literature.

Doctoral research training consists of active mentoring of graduate students at all stages of their careers and research training in modern laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. The faculty are highly accomplished and internationally recognized and most have a strong base of extramural support for their research programs. A particular strength of the departmental faculty is the employment of genetic, cellular, neuroanatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral approaches to study the structure and function of the nervous system. Departmental faculty also have expertise in modern imaging approaches, including high resolution electron microscopy, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, Ca2+ imaging, and nuclear magnetic resonance and optical imaging.

Students are also provided the opportunity for teaching experience in undergraduate and professional courses in the field of neuroscience in the College of Letters and Science, the School of Medicine and the School of Dentistry. Teaching experience includes a College of Letters and Science training course in teaching methodologies and direct classroom experience, as well as guidance and evaluation of the student’s teaching methodology by faculty.

The Graduate Program in Neurobiology is a departmental based program distinct from the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Neuroscience. The Graduate Program in Neurobiology is focused on individualized education through small, highly interactive classes based on the study of the primary literature in a tutorial format. Students have the opportunity to pursue their research in the laboratories of all members of the Neurobiology Department and to interact with the broader neuroscience community at UCLA through seminars, affinity groups, and core classes taught in common with the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program.

For more information about our program, please contact our Vice-Chair, Dr. Nicholas Brecha at (310) 825-9556 or nbrecha@ucla.edu.

Graduate Admissions

Curriculum

Teaching/Giving Talks

Orientation

Resources for Graduate Students