Training Minds, Decoding the Brain in Neuroscience Research, Education, and Outreach.
NGP brings together faculty and students from diverse academic backgrounds to study questions spanning the spectrum of modern neuroscience research. We provide a highly supportive, research-intensive training experience designed to prepare students for a variety of successful careers.
Rotations
Students complete three rotations in NGP faculty labs during the fall and spring semesters of their first year to identify a faculty Mentor for their dissertation research. Each rotation lasts about 9 weeks on average, and students confirm their Mentor at the end of their first year. These rotations are an excellent way to work with different faculty, sample different research techniques, and learn about different research areas.
Coursework
NGP provides each student with a broad, fundamental background in neuroscience coupled with detailed knowledge and expertise in their chosen area of concentration. Students must complete a minimum of 60 units for the PhD, with at least 25 units of required NGP coursework.
After completing the NGP course requirements, students may take advantage of USC’s many offerings by taking additional courses relevant to their research; otherwise, the remaining units will be in the form of doctoral research. The specific training plan and graduate curriculum for each entering class outlined in the NGP handbook.
First-year students gain a broad understanding of basic concepts in biological, cognitive, and modeling approaches to brain structure and function through shared core courses.
- Advanced Neurosciences: NSCI 524 and 525 (8 units total)
Taken during the fall and spring semesters of the first year, our core courses provide an advanced overview of brain research, from molecular biology to cognitive neuroscience. The courses are deliberately broad, intended to provide students from different disciplines with the basic language to approach all of brain research.
- Neuroscience Communication: NSCI 539 (4 units total)
Taken during the first four semesters, our communications courses provide each student with an opportunity to organize and give presentations to peers, receive constructive feedback to improve presentation skills, provide constructive feedback to their peers, and develop skills in science communication.
- Responsible Conduct of Research: INTD 500 (1 unit)
Taken during the summer after the first year, this course engages current research trainees in discussions on the responsible conduct of science and scientific integrity.
Students supplement their studies with three advanced graduate elective courses tailored to their research interests.
- Statistics Requirement (4 units)
- Quantitative and Computational Requirement (4 units)
- Additional Neuroscience-Related Requirement (4 units)
A current list of Pre-Approved Courses is provided here (requires USC login). Courses are offered by departments across USC.
Financial Support
First-year students are supported by a Fellowship while conducting rotations to identify their permanent lab. Once they’ve joined a lab, the student’s mentor assumes responsibility for their ongoing financial support. Subsequent support may include Graduate Assistantships (Research Assistantships or Teaching Assistantships), Fellowships the student applies for, or Training Grants. All financial awards include payment of tuition and fees, health benefits (health, dental, and vision insurance), and a stipend.
