PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Neuroscience uses tools in a wide variety of disciplines—psychology, anatomy, electrophysiology, molecular biology, medicine, pharmacology and biochemistry—to provide desperately needed scientific breakthroughs for the millions of people affected by neurologic illnesses. In the Neuroscience PhD program, research is focused on developmental neurobiology, molecular mechanisms of action of drugs of abuse, neural transplant, neurotransmitter systems and the psychobiology of learning, memory and communication.

The program begins with common interdisciplinary coursework in genes, cells and systems in biomedical sciences, professional development in scientific communication and science careers, and laboratory rotations offered through GW’s Integrated Biomedical Sciences. At the end of the first year, students choose their mentor and PhD program, with further Neuroscience cores and elective courses taking place thereafter. Following the second year of study and grant-style qualifying exam, students work with their research advisor to complete remaining degree requirements, including the dissertation.

Faculty are drawn largely from the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, including scientists from our partner Children’s National Health System. Students have access to extensive research facilities including cores for nanofabrication, FACS, imaging, genomics, molecular biology and other methods.

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT GW

The five doctoral programs within Integrated Biomedical Sciences are: Cancer Biology, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology and Physiology.