NEURS-PHD - Neurosciences (PhD)
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Program Overview
Learn how to approach and solve research problems by developing skills in modern methods of neuroscience research, the ability to appraise the scientific literature and make scientific judgments, and ultimately, to function as an independent creative neuroscientist.
Admissions Information
Applications for Autumn 2026-27 are made through the Graduate Admissions website and are due by the deadline posted on the Biosciences Admissions website. The GRE is not required or accepted. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the research interests of the faculty on the program website and indicate their preferences clearly on the application form. Applicants selected for an interview are notified in early January. Admitted students are notified from early March through mid-April. Accepted students receive an award covering tuition, a living stipend, and a basic health insurance plan.
Medical students may participate in this program provided they meet the prerequisites and satisfy all the requirements of the graduate program as listed below. The timing of the program may be adjusted in consultation with the advisory committee to fit their special circumstances.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Degree Requirements
Required courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a 3.0 (B) or better. MSTP students will take NEPR 209, NEPR 211, NEPR 212, and NEPR 288. MSTP students will also take NEPR 201, NEPR 203, NEPR 207, or NEPR 208 (choose 1) along with either NEPR 202 or NEPR 204.
Students must also complete the Stanford Immersive Neurosciences (SIN) Boot Camp and a Data Carpentry Workshop.
Students must complete special sessions in neuroanatomy. (Not required for MSTP students.)
The total number of quarters of NEPR 280: Neuroscience Journal Club and Professional Development Series that are required varies depending on the year a student started the program. For students starting in AY25-26, 9 quarters of NEPR 280 are required. MSTP students in the Neurosciences PhD program are required to take 3 quarters of Journal Club and at least 2 quarters must be taken for 2 units.
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Students must complete course as well as one (1) graduate statistics course from the list below; pre-approval is required.
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OR 1057502 - 1038311
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Required courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a 3.0 (B) or better.
​​Six units of advanced neuroscience coursework are required. To complete the six units, at least one course must be three units or more; the remaining units can be completed with a combination of smaller-unit courses (e.g., 3+2+1, 3+2+2, 4+2). One course of 3 units of advanced neuroscience coursework are required for MSTP students.
Pre-approval for advanced courses is required.
Required courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a 3.0 (B) or better.
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Students rotate through at least three labs during the first year, enrolling in course each quarter, while taking core courses. MSTP students are exempt from this requirement because they will have completed their rotations in the first year of their MD program.
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Students must complete a graduate research course (course) every quarter for Credit upon joining a thesis lab until satisfying the 135 minimum units required.
Students must publish a first-author paper in a peer-reviewed major scientific journal on the defended work before completing the PhD degree.
Passing a comprehensive qualifying examination given by the student’s advisory committee is required for admission to PhD candidacy.
The qualifying exam includes a component of experimental rigor in design and analysis separate from the research plan associated with the qualifying exam proposal.
The qualifying exam must be taken by the end of the second year.
Students must defend the dissertation in a University Oral Examination that includes a public seminar.
Students are required to prepare a PhD dissertation that is the result of an independent investigation accomplished while enrolled in the program that contributes to knowledge in an area of neuroscience.