The Carleton Institute of Neuroscience
Life Sciences Research Building 325
Telephone: 520-4020
Fax: 520-4052
E-mail:
jkelly@ccs.carleton.ca
The Institute
Director: J.B. Kelly
Neuroscience is an emerging academic discipline that includes physiological,
anatomical, biochemical, and behavioural studies of the nervous system.
At Carleton University, neuroscience research and graduate training are
coordinated by the Institute of Neuroscience. Both M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees,
with a Specialization in Neuroscience, are offered through either the Departments
of Biology or Psychology with supervision by one of the faculty members
of the Institute. Application for admission, scholarships, and teaching
assistantships should be made through either the Departments of Biology
or Psychology depending on background and interests of the student. Further
information about the degree programs may be obtained from the director
of the Institute of Neuroscience or the supervisor of graduate studies
in either Biology or Psychology.
Members of the Institute
Hymie Anisman, Stress, Brain-Immune Interactions, Depression
John Durkin,* Neurochemistry, Cell Signalling, Cerebral Ischemia
Phillip Hicks,* Neural Plasticity, Somatosensory and visual Cortex
Bin Hu,* Thalamic Neurophysiology, Synaptic Signalling
J.B. Kelly, Central Auditory System, Electrophysiology and Behaviour
D.C. McIntyre, Epilepsy, Kindling, Learning and Memory
B.A. Pappas, Brain Development and Aging, Alzheimer's Disease
Leo Renaud,* Hypothalamic Function, Autonomic Regulation, Neuropharmacology
D.C.S. Roberts, Mechanisms of Drug Abuse and Reinforcement
Shu Hui Wu, Auditory Brainstem, Brain Slice Neurophysiology
Robert. M. Zacharko, Intracranial Self-stimulation, Stress, Depression,
Dopamine, Anhedonia
The Specialization in Neuroscience
Coordinator of the Specialization:
J.B. Kelly
The University of Ottawa and Carleton University jointly offer a multi-disciplinary
Specialization in Neuroscience. The Specialization is intended to augment
the research and training which the student receives through his or her
primary department. The degree will in each case specify the discipline
of the participating unit with Specialization in Neuroscience. The participating
departments are:
-
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Ottawa
-
Department of Biology, Carleton University
-
Department of Biology, University of Ottawa
-
Department of Pharmacology, University of Ottawa
-
Department of Physiology, University of Ottawa
-
Department of Psychology, Carleton University
-
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa
Four clinical departments from the University of Ottawa Medical School
are also affiliated.
-
Department of Medicine (Division of Neurology)
-
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (Neuropathology)
-
Department of Psychiatry
-
Department of Surgery (Division of Neurosurgery)
Application should be made to the primary department which is most appropriate
to the student’s research interest. Once accepted by the department, students
must be sponsored by a member of the neuroscience faculty.
Application forms and further information can be obtained by writing directly
to any of the primary departments.
Master’s Program
Admission Requirements
The requirements for admission to the master’s neuroscience specialization
are as follows:
-
Prior admission to the master’s program of the primary department which
participates in the specialization
-
A letter of recommendation from a participating faculty member of the neuroscience
specialization, indicating the willingness of the faculty member to supervise
the candidate’s research program
Students with less than a high honours average in their undergraduate and
graduate courses will not normally be recommended for admission.
Program Requirements
The Specialization requires that, in addition to fulfilling the requirements
for the master’s program of the department in which they are enrolled,
the student must successfully complete Psychology 49.520: Basics of Neuroscience.
The thesis research must concern a neuroscience topic and must be supervised
by a member of the neuroscience faculty.
Doctor of Philosophy
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements to the Ph.D. neuroscience specialization are as
follows:
-
Prior admission to the Ph.D. program of the primary department which participates
in the specialization
-
A letter of recommendation from a participating faculty member of the neuroscience
specialization, indicating the willingness of the faculty member to supervise
the candidate’s research program
-
Two additional letters of recommendation from University faculty who are
familiar with the candidate’s academic and research career
-
Students with less than a high honours standing in their undergraduate
and graduate courses will not normally be recommended for admission.
Selection of master’s and doctoral students is carried out by the neuroscience
specialization coordinating committee which will select and rank the admissible
candidates. Admission is determined by priority of ranking, and the number
of admissions depends upon the available positions in the specialization.
Program Requirements
Students must fulfil the Ph.D. program requirements of the department in
which they are enrolled. The requirements for the specialization also include
the following, some of which may satisfy the Ph.D. requirements of the
participating departments:
-
Successful completion of the following neuroscience courses: Psychology
49.620: Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience, Biology 61.623 and 61.624: Neuroscience
Techniques I and II, and Psychology 49.520: Basics of Neuroscience
-
A thesis in the area of neuroscience, which must be defended at an oral
examination
Graduate Courses**
Neuroscience courses are available through the primary departments. Course
offerings vary slightly from year to year and a complete listing can be
obtained from the specialization coordinator.
The following are the core courses of the curriculum.
Psychology 49.520T2 (PSY6201)
Basics of Neuroscience
A comprehensive neuroscience course from membrane and cellular levels to
neural systems and behaviour. Lectures and tutorials will cover such aspects
of neuroscience as neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, behavioural neuroscience
and neuropharmacology.
(Also offered as Biology 61.534)
Biology 61.623F1
Neuroscience Techniques I
Completion of a research project carried out under the supervision of a
neuroscience faculty member. Students may carry out their project in any
department participating in the neuroscience specialization provided they
have approval from the administrative head of their particular program.
For example, students in the neuroscience specialization must obtain approval
from the neuroscience committee. Students in the biopsychology concentration
must obtain approval from the Department of Psychology. The purpose of
the course is to grant credit for learning new research techniques.
(Also offered as Psychology 49.624)
Biology 61.624W1
Neuroscience Techniques II
Completion of a research project carried out under the supervision of a
neuroscience faculty member. Students may carry out their project in any
department participating in the neuroscience specialization provided they
have approval from the administrative head of their particular program.
For example, students in the neuroscience specialization must obtain approval
from the neuroscience committee. Students in the biopsychology concentration
must obtain approval from the Department of Psychology. The purpose of
the course is to grant credit for learning new research techniques.
(Also offered as Psychology 49.625)
Psychology 49.620T2
Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience
A comprehensive proseminar covering specialized topics in neuroscience
and biopsychology. The presentations will focus on the active research
areas and interests of faculty members and will provide an in-depth coverage
of research strategies, methods and results. Graduate student presentations
of current research projects will be an integral part of the course.
Prerequisite: Psychology 49.520
(Also offered as Biology 61.633)