Ph.D in Biomedical Science - Neuroscience & Neurological Disorders Track

For admission to Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders (NND) Ph.D. program, it is expected that the applicant have completed an undergraduate major in Biology or a related field. Students must have taken at least 1 course in Biology, Chemistry, and college- level math. The minimum acceptable GPA for admission is 3.0. International students must also present evidence of a test of English Language proficiency. Scores from The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are acceptable and a minimum iBT score of 80, or pBT score of 550 is required. Scores from The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) are also accepted and a minimum score of 6.5 is required. GRE and MCAT scores can be considered but are not required for admission. 

The minimum number of credits required for PhD is 90, with a minimum of 20 credits of didactic coursework (letter grade), and a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation research. The rest of the credits are approved electives and research in the NND track.

BMSP 6330Current Problems and Research Approaches in Proteins2
BMSP 6340Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genom2
BMSP 6360Current Problems and Research Approaches in Cell Membranes2
BMSP 6380Methods in Biomedical Sciences2
BMSP 6390Mentored Research1
BMSP 6470System Pathophysiology4
BMSP 6350Cell Biology & Signaling3
NNDP 6500Seminar in Neuroscience1
BMSP 5320Statistical Methods I3
INDI 6020On Being a Scientist1
NNDP 6730Research in NNDP1-9
NNDP 6560Readings in Neuroscience1-4
NNDP 6720Current Topics in Neuroscience1-4
BIOE 5620Cellular Electrophysiology3
NNDP 8500Seminar in Neuroscience1
NNDP 8540Journal Paper Review Neuroscience2
NNDP 8720Current Topics in Neuroscience1-4
INDI 8790Basic and Adv Light Microscopy4
INDI 8860Electron Microscopy4
NNDP 9990Dissertation Research in NNDP1-9
BMSP 8250Grant Writing Workshop3

The minimum number of credits required for PhD is 90, with a minimum of 20 credits of didactic coursework (letter grade), and a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation research. The rest of the credits are approved electives and research in the NND track.

FIRST TERM9 credits
Introduction to Biomedical Research 10
Current Problems and Research Approaches (CPRA) in:
BMSP 6330Current Problems and Research Approaches in Proteins2
BMSP 6340Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genom2
BMSP 6360Current Problems and Research Approaches in Cell Membranes2
BMSP 6380Methods in Biomedical Sciences2
BMSP 6390Mentored Research1
SECOND TERM9 credits
BMSP 6350Cell Biology & Signaling3
BMSP 6390Mentored Research1
BMSP 6470System Pathophysiology4
NNDP 6500Seminar in Neuroscience1
THIRD TERM6 credits
BMSP 5320Statistical Methods I3
INDI 6020On Being a Scientist1
NNDP 6730Research in NNDP1-3
FOURTH TERM9 credits
NNDP 6560Readings in Neuroscience1-4
NNDP 6720Current Topics in Neuroscience1-4
BIOE 5620Cellular Electrophysiology3
NNDP 6730Research in NNDP1-4
FIFTH TERM9 credits
NNDP 8500Seminar in Neuroscience1
NNDP 8540Journal Paper Review Neuroscience (if offered) 10 or 2
NNDP 8720Current Topics in Neuroscience1-4
INDI 8790Basic and Adv Light Microscopy (elective)0 or 4
INDI 8860Electron Microscopy (elective)0 or 4
BMSP 8250Grant Writing Workshop (elective)0 or 2
NNDP 9990Dissertation Research in NNDP1-5
SIXTH TERM6 credits
NNDP 9990Dissertation Research in NNDP6
SEVENTH TERM9 credits
NNDP 9990Dissertation Research in NNDP9
EIGHTH TERM9 credits
NNDP 8500Seminar in Neuroscience1
NNDP 9990Dissertation Research in NNDP8
NINTH TERM6 credits
NNDP 9990Dissertation Research in NNDP6

1 Required

PhD Program Students: Year 4 and Beyond

Fall/Spring Term (9 credits each, Summer (6 credits)
NNDP 9990Dissertation Research in NNDP6-9

PhD Program Students: Year 5 and Beyond

Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters (1 credit all semesters)
NNDP 9990Dissertation Research in NNDP1
  • PLO 1. Identify and summarize the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs.
  • PLO 2. Describe the molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms that maintain the normal function, development, and plasticity of cells, tissues, and organs.
  • PLO 3. Summarize basic disease causes and processes that affect the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs.
  • PLO 4. Assess and critically analyze relevant basic science and clinical literature.
  • PLO 5. Design and conduct applicable biomedical sciences experiments.
  • PLO 6. Organize, interpret and summarize results of applicable biomedical sciences experiments.
  • PLO 7. Demonstrate ethical and responsible conduct in research and all other scholarly activities consistent with the University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, Standards of Conduct (Policy 01-027).
  • PLO 8. K1 Knowledge of normal structure and function of the body and its major organ systems, with emphasis on the peripheral and central nervous system.
  • PLO 9. K2 Knowledge of molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms which are important in homeostatic maintenance of normal nervous system function.
  • PLO 10. K3 Knowledge of the basic neurophysiology of excitable membranes.
  • PLO 11. K4 Knowledge of neurophysiological basis of behavior in health and disease.
  • PLO 12. K5 Knowledge of classical and contemporary models of changes in nervous system function in response to changes in intrinsic or extrinsic environmental stimuli throughout the lifespan.
  • PLO 13. K6 Knowledge of nervous system structure and function in normal and disease states as studied with contemporary techniques and related translational research approaches.
  • PLO 14. K7 Knowledge of pathophysiology of prominent neurological disorders (e.g.. cognitive disorders, movement disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, seizure disorder, substance use disorders).
  • PLO 15. K8 Knowledge of basic principles of pharmacology (drug action) and pharmacology of specific drugs and toxins used in basic neuroscience research, in vino and in vitro, and in the treatment of prominent neurological disorders.
  • PLO 16. K9 Knowledge of the use of statistical methods in the appropriate design, analysis and interpretation of research projects.
  • PLO 17. K10 Knowledge of tech principles that govern ethical and legal decision making in the design and conduct of research projects, and the accurate reporting of the results.
  • PLO 18. K11 Knowledge of the various approaches to the organization and financing of biomedical research projects.
  • PLO 19. S1 The ability to perform selected basic laboratory procedures that are commonly used in the laboratories of most track faculty.
  • PLO 20. S2 The ability to perform advanced/specialized procedures that are necessary for the completion of the student's assigned dissertation research projects (s).
  • PLO 21. S3 The ability to design and complete independent research projects, and the ability to perform productively as a member of a research team.
  • PLO 22. S4 The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with colleagues, faculty, scientific journal editors/reviewers, and research granting agencies.
  • PLO 23. S5 The ability to retrieve (from electronic databases and other sources), manage, and utilize biomedical information for solving problems that are relevant to the appropriate completion of a research project, and the accurate reporting of the results.
  • PLO 24. P1 Ethical, responsible, reliable, and dependable behavior in all aspects of their professional lives, and a commitment to the profession and to society.
  • PLO 25. P2 Honesty and integrity in all interactions with colleagues, research subjects, and others with whom students may interact in their professional lives.
  • PLO 26. P3 Professionalism in dress and grooming related to compliance with health and safety rules applicable to research laboratories, and other research sites.
  • PLO 27. P4 Compassionate treatment of patients as subjects of research, and respect for their privacy and dignity.
  • PLO 28. P5 Compassionate treatment of experimental animals, and respect for all laws and regulations applicable to the use of animals in biomedical research.