M.D./Ph.D. Program

Overview

The Princeton Neuroscience Institute has joined the established partnership of the Graduate School and Department of Molecular Biology with Rutgers University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) to serve as a Ph.D. site for students enrolled in the M.D./Ph.D. program of RWJMS.

Students interested in neuroscience who are admitted to the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-Princeton University M.D./Ph.D. program perform laboratory rotations at Princeton during the summer before and the summer after the first year of the pre-clinical portion of the program, prior to their enrollment as doctoral students, and subject to the approval of the faculty member and the Princeton Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. program director. Following the second rotation, a student will choose a laboratory for their Ph.D. research by mutual agreement with a faculty adviser and approval by the Princeton Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. program director, the chair of the Neuroscience admissions committee, and the Graduate School.

Students who are accepted to work with a faculty member or an affiliated faculty member of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute will enter the Ph.D. program and receive that degree from Princeton. These students will fulfill Graduate School and departmental requirements, including the one-year residence requirement and passing the general and final public oral examinations.

Enrollment

Once students are accepted into the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-Princeton University M.D./Ph.D. Program and have completed the required laboratory rotations, students will choose a laboratory for their Ph.D. research. This decision is made by mutual agreement with their proposed faculty advisor and approval by the Princeton Neuroscience M.D./Ph.D. program director, chair of the Neuroscience admissions committee, and the Graduate School.

Please visit the M.D./Ph.D. Admissions website for more information on applying to the program.

Plan of Study

Neuroscience Core Course

In their first year, M.D./Ph.D. students will complete two out of the four neuroscience core courses:

NEU 501A: A survey of modern neuroscience in lecture format combining theoretical and computational/quantitative approaches. Topics include cellular neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neural circuits and dynamics, neural development and plasticity, sensory systems, genetic model systems, and molecular neuroscience. This is one-half of a double-credit core course required of all Neuroscience Ph.D. students.
NEU 501B: This lab course complements NEU 501A and introduces students to the variety of techniques and concepts used in modern neuroscience, from the point of view of experimental and computational/quantitative approaches. Topics will include synaptic transmission, fluorescent and viral tracers, patch clamp recording in brain slices, optogenetic methods to control neural activity, and computational modeling approaches. In-lab lectures give students the background necessary to understand the scientific content of the labs, but the emphasis is on the labs themselves. Second half of a double-credit core course required of all NEU Ph.D. students.
NEU 502A: A survey of modern neuroscience in lecture format combining theoretical and computational/quantitative approaches. Topics include systems and cognitive neuroscience, perception and attention, learning and behavior, memory, executive function/decision-making, motor control and sequential actions. Diseases of the nervous system are considered. This is one-half of a double-credit core course required of all Neuroscience Ph.D. students.
NEU 502B: This lab course complements NEU 502A and introduces students to the variety of techniques and concepts used in modern neuroscience, from the point of view of experimental and computational/quantitative approaches. Topics include electrophysiological recording, functional magnetic resonance imaging, psychophysics, and computational modeling. In-lab lectures give students the background necessary to understand the scientific content of the labs, but the emphasis is on the labs themselves. Second half of a double-credit core course required of all Neuroscience Ph.D. students.

Graduate Research Seminar Course

To learn about the current research in neuroscience and interact with researchers across disciplines, students are required to enroll in the neuroscience graduate seminar course, NEU 511. A grade of B or higher is required in all courses.

Computation Proficiency

To ensure that all incoming students are properly prepared to pursue their Ph.D. work with appropriate depth, breadth, and rigor, students must demonstrate proficiency in computational techniques. This proficiency can be demonstrated either through undergraduate coursework or by taking one or more relevant courses (decided in consultation with the NEU M.D./Ph.D. Program Director) during their first year of graduate study at Princeton.

General Examination

The general examination is usually administered in the September/October general examination period of the second year of study, after students have met all formal course requirements. This two-hour oral examination is administered by three faculty members from the neuroscience graduate program.

Students will present their thesis proposal, demonstrating the command of their chosen research topic and the existing literature surrounding it, and present a logical plan to address key questions that they have identified.

Post-General Examination requirements

Thesis Committee Meetings

Each graduate student selects a thesis committee that consists of the thesis adviser(s) and two additional faculty members. At least two committee members must be core PNI faculty. The thesis committee meets at least once per year. The purpose of the committee is to advise students during the course of their research. Graduate students are expected to meet with their committee at least once per year.

Individual Development Plan

Annual Individual Development Plans are required. Students complete an online form followed by a meeting with their advisor to discuss their IDP and future academic and professional goals.

Dissertation and FPO

Students must carry out original research toward the dissertation with a core, associated or affiliated Neuroscience Institute faculty member. The student’s dissertation is first read by the adviser then by two additional readers chosen by the student and their advisor. Usually, the second readers are the other members of the student’s thesis committee. Upon acceptance of the dissertation, the student gives a final, public oral presentation of the research to the department. The student will identify two additional faculty members, who are not the principal readers, to serve as the final public oral examiners. The student’s adviser plus the two readers and two final public oral examiners are expected to attend the final public oral presentation.

The Ph.D. is awarded after the candidate's doctoral dissertation has been accepted and the final public oral examination sustained.

Additional Requirements

Responsible Conduct for Research training

M.D./Ph.D. students will complete in-person Responsible Conduct for Research training during their second year of study by enrolling in NEU 592: Ethics in the Practice of Neuroscience or a similar course.