Graduate students typically enter the department of Anatomy & Neurobiology through the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (INP).
Faculty from several departments and schools, whose research in neuroscience is guided by many disciplines, participate in the INP. Students in this umbrella program have the opportunity to train with any faculty member of a participating department and are exposed to a variety of approaches before deciding on a research area for focused dissertation work. After the initial year of general neuroscience training, students join the more specialized graduate program of their chosen thesis advisor.
How To Apply
Please complete UCI’s online Graduate Application for Admission – select “School of Biological Sciences” from the school drop-down menu, then select “Interdepartmental Neuroscience PhD”. You will be asked to provide official post-secondary academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores (GRE subject tests are not required). A successful applicant will likely have a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, cognitive science or neuroscience as well as some laboratory research experience.
Applications are due in early December, and prospective students will be invited to visit campus in late January. Admission decisions are sent out throughout February and March, and enrollment must be decided by April 15th.
Cost of Living
All students in the department of Anatomy & Neurobiology receive financial support in the form of a stipend of ~$30,000 per year in addition to complete coverage of tuition, fees (including gym membership!), and health insurance. This funding comes in part from individual fellowships, departmental training grants, teaching and research assistantships. Students are expected to transition to California residency as early as possible (minimum 1 year living in the state) in order to qualify for in-state tuition.
UCI guarantees on-campus housing to every newly admitted PhD student. Students usually elect to live in either Palo Verde or Verano Place, which are populated primarily by graduate students. These neighborhoods are located precisely between main campus and the Anteater Recreation Center, within an easy mile of every neuroscience laboratory on campus! Parking is included in rent (expect to pay ~$700/month) and childcare is available.