University of California-San Diego Fully Funded PhD in Neurosciences
PhD @University of California San Diego posted 2 days agoJob Description
Program Overview
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Institution: University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
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Department: Neurosciences Graduate Program (NGP)
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Location: La Jolla, California
Established in 1969, UCSD’s Neurosciences Graduate Program is an interdisciplinary, student-centered research training program leading to the only Neuroscience Ph.D. degree offered at UC San Diego. The program encompasses over 150 affiliated research faculty laboratories distributed across more than fifteen academic and clinical science departments at UC San Diego, the School of Medicine, The Salk Institute, The Scripps Research Institute, V.A. Medical Center, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute.
Funding Package
All admitted PhD students receive comprehensive financial support, which includes:
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Tuition and Fees: Full coverage.
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Annual Stipend: $43,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year.
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Health Insurance: Included via the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP).
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Start-Up Fellowship: $1,500 to assist with moving expenses.
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Conference Support: Up to $1,200 for attending the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in the first year.
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Educational Supplies Bonus: $500 for first-year students.
Students are encouraged to apply for external fellowships. Those who secure such funding as the primary investigator receive a $3,500 annual bonus in addition to their stipend.
Curriculum Structure
The program offers a rigorous curriculum designed to provide a strong foundation in neuroscience, with flexibility to tailor coursework to individual research interests.
Core Components
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Coursework: Students complete core and elective courses covering various aspects of neuroscience.
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Lab Rotations: First-year students participate in lab rotations to identify a thesis advisor and research focus.
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Minor Proposition: A requirement to develop a research proposal outside the primary dissertation focus, fostering interdisciplinary skills.
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Qualifying Examination: Assessment to advance to candidacy, typically by the end of the third year.
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Dissertation Research: Original research leading to a doctoral dissertation.
Admission Requirements
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Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related fields.
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Suggested Preparation: At least one year each of general biology, calculus, and physics; two years of chemistry; and advanced coursework in areas such as biophysics, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, neurobiology, microbiology, and immunology.
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Application Materials:
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Online application through UCSD Graduate Admissions (select “Neuroscience” as the program of study).
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Statement of Purpose (750-word limit).
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Research Statement (750-word limit).
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Three letters of recommendation.
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Resume/CV.
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Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
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Evidence of English language proficiency (for international applicants).
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Application Fee:
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$135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
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$155 for international applicants.
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Fee waivers are available for eligible applicants.
