Central Michigan University

CMU neuroscience program gets a boost with new Ph.D. degree

Friday, April 11, 2008

Topics in this story: College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, Family life, personal growth and psychology, Psychology, University news

CMU neuroscience director Gary Dunbar, far left, guides CMU seniors Bart Roland of Saginaw, center, and Matt Bombard of Commerce Township through research in one of CMU's neuroscience laboratories.

Photo by Robert Barclay

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Media Contact(s):

Heather Smith
989-774-1702

Program Contact(s):

Gary Dunbar
989-774-3282

Students entering Central Michigan University's new neuroscience graduate degree program will have the chance to excel through a unique mentorship model providing more individual curriculum flexibility and earlier opportunities for research than other graduate programs in neuroscience.

The foundation of CMU's new doctor of philosophy in neuroscience program, which was approved by the CMU Academic Senate is provided during the first two years. During this time, students fulfill all requirements for the Master of Science degree in neuroscience. Upon earning the master's degree program, students will work closely with their chosen mentor to establish a line of research that will lead to a major paper and dissertation.

"The major objective of this program is to provide students with the academic background, technical skills and hands-on research experience that will allow them to successfully compete for neuroscience-related jobs in the private and public sectors," said Gary Dunbar, psychology professor and director of the CMU neuroscience program.

"This program's uniqueness comes from the mentorship model we use; our students come to the program to work with a specific mentor, and they must be selected by that mentor to be admitted into the program."

CMU's doctorate in neuroscience will be an interdisciplinary program, integrating courses, research and clinical opportunities from three CMU colleges and several departments, including biology, chemistry, health sciences, rehabilitation and medical sciences, communication disorders, and psychology.

"The small size of our program provides students with a major advantage," said Dunbar. "They get to work more closely with their mentor, design much of their curriculum to meet their specific needs and interests, and have more time and opportunities to engage in hands-on research, all within a shorter period of time. Many neuroscience graduate students spend six to seven years in graduate school-our students should finish in four to five years.

The neuroscience program is closely related to CMU's current doctoral program in applied experimental psychology, although it will have a greater focus on neuroscience-related courses and give neuroscience students more flexibility in choosing from various departments, enhancing the interdisciplinary nature of the program.

More than 100 students have expressed interest in the program, and six current psychology students came to CMU with the intention of transferring to the neuroscience graduate program when it was made available.