Ph.D. in Neuroscience – The Direct Track
The program of studies for the direct track to the Ph.D. at the Sagol School of Neuroscience uniquely offers a broad range of courses from different units, including required courses, elective courses, and a research seminar. The courses will present the students with the concepts and major research methods, as well as the cutting edge of neuroscience research. The research seminar will update the student in the current fields of research and the research methods courses will enable the student to gain exposure to advance measurement methods in a range of fields. The elective courses will enable the student to intensify her/his knowledge in certain fields of neuroscience, and will prepare the student for the research program specific to her/him.
The purpose of the program is to train students, in order for them to be able to conduct interdisciplinary research in the fields of neuroscience.
The direct track is suitable for students who have completed a bachelor's degree in neuroscience, life sciences, exact sciences, engineering, and psychology. Students who have completed neuroscience study programs at Tel Aviv University will be able to begin their studies subsequent to their acceptance to the program, without supplementary studies. Honors students from other fields will be required to take supplementary courses as specified below.
Scholarships
Students in the program will receive an increased stipend for living expenses for the entire period of their studies, as defined in the statutes and regulations. The continuation of the scholarship from one year to the next is dependent upon a progress report and customary transitions in stages towards the doctorate. The School's Doctoral Committee will oversee the distribution of scholarships.
The course of studies in the direct track
Scope of studies in the program: 34 semester hours.
During the first year, the student is required to complete the required courses and a number of elective courses totaling at least 20 semester hours. Exemption from one or more of these courses will be on the basis of prior studies, however elective courses of a similar scope will be taken instead of the required course . Moreover, the student will take a number of additional courses which are not recognized for academic credit: scientific writing and safety (to the extent that it is necessary).
Throughout the period of the program, students are required to attend and lecture at the program seminar and in annual meetings. A student who is absent from the seminars will have her/his studies discontinued. The student must complete her/his academic requirements within a year of approval of her/his research proposal.
The transition to the second year is conditional upon an average grade of at least 90 for 20 semester hours, and the approval of the Unit Committee, after passing a competency exam.
Rotations in the direct track
During the first year of the direct track, the student will make two to three rotations of three months each, in labs dealing in the disciplines or various research questions. The purpose of the rotation is to expose the student to research by methods and different approaches in neuroscience, and to help her/him find a lab for the research project. During the rotation, the student will join a research project in the lab, and will learn the research methods used in the selected lab. The choice of the instructor for the rotation requires approval of the program heads.
Duration of studies: Following completion of the rotation year, the student must complete the research project within the next four years, totaling five years.
Criteria for admissions to the program
Honors students who have completed a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least90 may apply to the program. Graduates of undergraduate study programs at the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University will be admitted to the program without supplementary studies. Honors students from other fields will be required to take supplementary courses in accordance with the list of supplements that will be determined by the School from time to time.
Master's degree students may apply if they have completed the first year of their master's degree studies with at least 20 semester hours and an average grade of 90, earned a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 85 (or 82 in the disciplines of: engineering, computer science, physics, and mathematics), conducted a research project, and their achievements are particularly outstanding.
Acceptance to the program will be subsequent to an interview by the Unit Interdisciplinary Committee which will choose the most suitable candidates. During the interview, the candidates will be required to present a relevant scientific paper/project of their choice, and to show knowledge and thinking ability in the field of the paper presented. In addition, the candidates will be required to show interest and understanding in other fields in neuroscience.
