Graduate Calendar Archives: 2000 / 2001

Neuroscience

The Institute

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

The Specialization in Neuroscience

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

* 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

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

* 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 undergraduateand 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

* Successful completion of the following neuroscience courses:
Psychology 49.520 and 49.620 and Biology 61.623 and 61.624
* A thesis in the area of neuroscience, which must be defended at an oral examination

Graduate Courses

F,W,S indicates term of offering. Courses offered in the fall and winter are followed by T. The number following the letter indicates the credit weight of the course: 1 denotes 0.5 credit, 2 denotes 1.0 credit, etc.

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 listed 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. The student will learn a new neuroscience technique and apply it to a research objective. Students must obtainn approval from the Director of the Neuroscience Specialization. (Also listed 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. The student will learn a new neuroscience technique and apply it to a research objective. Students must obtain approval from the Director of the Neuroscience Specialization. (Also listed 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 (Also listed as Biology 61.633).

Prerequisite: Psychology 49.520.