Department of Neuroscience
325 Life Science Research Building
613-520-4020
http://carleton.ca/neuroscience
- M.Sc. Neuroscience
- Ph.D. Neuroscience
M.Sc. Neuroscience
About the Program
Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field, encompassing different aspects of psychology, biology, chemistry, neurophysiology, genetics and epidemiology. Members of the Department of Neuroscience are engaged in a range of research topics examining the function of the central nervous system in both normal and disease states, using state-of-the-art facilities for microscopy, histology, neurochemistry, behavioural analysis, electrophysiology and molecular genetic analysis. Students will have the opportunity to learn these valuable techniques, and develop research projects aimed at the elucidation of many aspects of brain functioning and associated mental health diseases, including addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease, obesity, dementia and traumatic injury. As human behaviour is also an important area of study, there are laboratories in which to conduct human research related to the flourishing relationship between neuroscience and health psychology. Graduates of our program are well qualified to seek careers in the public sector, pharmaceutical research, and academia.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's program in Neuroscience is either a B.Sc. (Honours) in Neuroscience, Biology, or related field, or a B.A. (Honours) in Psychology. Applicants with other Bachelors honours degrees in related disciplines will also be considered provided the applicant can demonstrate a strong background that relates to Neuroscience. Applicants without a background in neuroscience may be required to complete NEUR 5000 as part of their M.Sc. program.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee acceptance into the program. In addition to transcripts and letters of reference, application packages must include a statement of interest.
Program Requirements
| M.Sc. Neuroscience (5.0 credits) | ||
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
NEUR 5100 [1.0] | Fundamentals in Neuroscience | |
| 2. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
NEUR 5201 [0.5] | Statistics for Neuroscience I | |
| 3. 0.5 credit from: | 0.5 | |
NEUR 5202 [0.5] | Statistics for Neuroscience II | |
NEUR 5800 [0.5] | Special Topics in Neuroscience | |
NEUR 5000 [0.5] | Foundations in Neuroscience | |
| 4. 3.0 credits in: | 3.0 | |
NEUR 5909 [3.0] | M.Sc. Thesis | |
| Total Credits | 5.0 | |
Fast Track Option
Students who enroll in the M.Sc. program, and intend to subsequently continue into a Ph.D., may have the option of being fast-tracked into the Ph.D. program. Eligibility will be determined by recommendation from the M.Sc. thesis committee, the Graduate Chair in Neuroscience, and the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Regulations governing requirements for the Master's thesis, including deadlines for submission, are outlined in the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Ph.D. Neuroscience
About the Program
Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field, encompassing different aspects of psychology, biology, chemistry, neurophysiology, genetics and epidemiology. Members of the Department of Neuroscience are engaged in a range of research topics examining the function of the central nervous system in both normal and disease states, using state-of-the-art facilities for microscopy, histology, neurochemistry, behavioural analysis, electrophysiology and molecular genetic analysis. Students will have the opportunity to learn these valuable techniques, and develop research projects aimed at the elucidation of many aspects of brain functioning and associated mental health diseases, including addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease, obesity, dementia and traumatic injury. As human behaviour is also an important area of study, there are laboratories in which to conduct human research related to the flourishing relationship between neuroscience and health psychology. Graduates of our program are well qualified to seek careers in the public sector, pharmaceutical research, and academia.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
An M.Sc. from an appropriate university is usually required for entry to the Ph.D. program.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee acceptance into the program. In addition to transcripts and letters of reference, application packages must include a statement of interest.
Program Requirements
| Ph.D. Neuroscience (10.0 credits) | ||
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
NEUR 6100 [1.0] | Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience | |
| 2. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
NEUR 6200 [1.0] | Comprehensive Examination (to be completed within the first two years of PhD study) | |
| 3. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
NEUR 5201 [0.5] | Statistics for Neuroscience I (unless taken previously, in which case substitute with 0.5 credits of optional courses) | |
| 4. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
NEUR 5202 [0.5] | Statistics for Neuroscience II (unless taken previously, in which case substitute with 0.5 credits of optional courses) | |
| 5. 7.0 credits in: | 7.0 | |
NEUR 6909 [10.0] | Ph.D. Thesis (Candidates must successful complete a research thesis on a topic in Neuroscience supervised by a faculty member of the Department of Neuroscience) | |
| Total Credits | 10.0 | |
Optional courses
Students who are already enrolled in the M.Sc. program, and intend to subsequently continue into a Ph.D., may have the option of being fast-tracked into the Ph.D. program. Eligibility will be determined by recommendation from the M.Sc. thesis committee, the Graduate Chair in Neuroscience, and the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Candidates may choose from the following list of optional courses:
| Up to 1.0 credit in: | ||
NEUR 5000 [0.5] | Foundations in Neuroscience | |
NEUR 5800 [0.5] | Special Topics in Neuroscience | |
| Up to 1.0 credit in: | ||
NEUR 6301 [0.5] | Techniques in Neuroscience I | |
NEUR 6302 [0.5] | Techniques in Neuroscience II | |
| Up to 1.0 credit in: | ||
NEUR 6401 [0.5] | Independent Research in Neuroscience I | |
NEUR 6402 [0.5] | Independent Research in Neuroscience II | |
| Up to 1.0 credit in: | ||
NEUR 6501 [0.5] | Directed Studies in Neuroscience I | |
NEUR 6502 [0.5] | Directed Studies in Neuroscience II | |
Neuroscience (NEUR) Courses
Foundations in Neuroscience
A comprehensive, lecture-based course which will cover the foundational principles of neuroscience for students with a limited background in neuroscience. Topics include neural signalling, sensation, movement, neurodevelopment, neuroplasticity, neuroendocrinology, learning and memory, and other complex brain functions.
Fundamentals in Neuroscience
A general course covering core neuroscience topics including organization of the nervous system, sensory and motor systems, neuroendocrinology, motivation learning and memory, emotion, attention, and pathology. Course includes attendance of the neuroscience colloquium series.
Precludes additional credit for PSYC 5200.
Statistics for Neuroscience I
Concepts and applications of basic statistical methods. Power determinations, t-tests, analysis of variance designs, including factorial, within groups, and hierarchical designs, analysis of covariance, and follow-up tests. Extensive use of statistical software.
Statistics for Neuroscience II
Concepts and applications of advanced regression analyses, including multiple regression, hierarchical and polynomial techniques, factor analysis and cluster analysis. Extensive use of statistical software.
Special Topics in Neuroscience
An in depth study of current topics in neuroscience and health. Course content varies yearly and has recently included cognitive neuroscience, neuropharmacology, neurodegeneration, neuroimmunology, behavioural medicine, neurobiology of learning and memory, brain mechanisms of ingestive behaviour and energy balance, and molecular neuroscience.
M.Sc. Thesis
Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience
A comprehensive pro-seminar series, covering issues ranging from cellular and molecular processes through to neural systems and behaviours as well as psychopathology. Students will also be required to attend the Neuroscience colloquia series as part of this course.
Precludes additional credit for PSYC 6200, PSYC 6202, PSYC 6203, BIOL 6303, BIOL 6306.
Prerequisite(s): NEUR5100 or equivalent.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination will consist of either a grant proposal or a review paper, to be decided by the student in consultation with their supervisor. The topic of the comprehensive examination must be outside of the candidate’s primary area of specialization and must be completed within the first two years of PhD study.
Techniques in Neuroscience I
Completion of a research project carried out under the supervision of a neuroscience faculty member, normally not the current supervisor. The student will learn a new neuroscience technique and apply it to a research objective. Students must obtain prior approval from the graduate committee.
Techniques in Neuroscience II
Completion of a research project carried out under the supervision of a neuroscience faculty member, normally not the current supervisor. The student will learn a new neuroscience technique and apply it to a research objective. Students must obtain prior approval from the graduate committee.
Independent Research in Neuroscience I
Permission to register and approval of research plan must be obtained from the graduate committee. A final research report must be filed in the departmental office prior to submission of course grade.
Independent Research in Neuroscience II
Permission to register and approval of research plan must be obtained from the graduate committee. A final research report must be filed in the departmental office prior to submission of course grade.
Directed Studies in Neuroscience I
In-depth investigation of selected topics in neuroscience by means of directed library research. Registration is restricted, permission to register being granted only by the graduate committee. A final report must be filed in the departmental office prior to submission of course grade.
Directed Studies in Neuroscience II
In-depth investigation of selected topics in neuroscience by means of directed library research. Registration is restricted, permission to register being granted only by the graduate committee. A final report must be filed in the departmental office prior to submission of course grade.
Ph.D. Thesis
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca