Graduate Programs & Training

Transcending Disciplines and Areas of Research

UC Davis offers a comprehensive selection of over 100 graduate programs, many of which have earned prestigious recognition for their academic excellence, faculty and student achievements.  Nearly a tenth of these graduate programs are represented across the laboratories of the Neuroscience Consortium. Similar to the Centers and Institutes of the Consortium, the graduate programs are often arranged as interdisciplinary groups, providing students the intellectual freedom to transcend disciplines and areas of research. Moreover, the breadth of focus represented by affiliate graduate programs- from applied mathematics and computer science to pharmacology and neuroscience- is reflective of the remarkable diversity in knowledge at the core of the Consortium. 

The professional and intellectual development of the graduate student body is fundamental to progress, innovation and collaboration across the Neuroscience Consortium. The graduate experience is strongly enriched by an impressive number of NIH pre-doctoral training programs available at UC Davis, many of which offer exceptional educational, professional and career development opportunities. Seven of these programs routinely, if not solely, support graduate students studying aspects of the mind and brain. These programs account for nearly 2/3 of all pre-doctoral training grant funding at UC Davis and many are directed by Consortium members. Moreover, a majority of these programs are committed to supporting the intellectual and professional development of underrepresented groups in STEM. Additional training and networking opportunities may be acquired through a number of workshops, bootcamps and seminar series available across the UC Davis campus. 

Programs and Courses

Neuroscience
Interdisciplinary program that Includes general areas of molecular, cellular, developmental, systems, behavioral, computational, cognitive and neurological approaches to neuroscience

Psychology
A multifaceted program that examines humans, animals and computer models- from neurons to cultural relationships-to understand the scientific basis of behavior, thought and emotion

Human Development
Emphasizes an interdisciplinary understanding of various aspects of human behavioral development and the contexts in which they take place across the lifespan

Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Studying fundamental biological problems at the organismal, cellular and molecular levels

Pharmacology & Toxicology
Interdisciplinary program that combines coursework and experimental training in modern approaches to pharmacological and toxicological problems

Integrative Genetics & Genomics
Applying genomic, molecular and classical genetic approaches to study model organisms, a broad range of native and agricultural species, humans and companion animals

Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology
Interdisciplinary program that Includes general areas of cellular/molecular physiology and systemic physiology and more specialized areas (e.g. comparative physiology, endocrinology, neurophysiology and the physiology of domestic animals)

Integrative Pathobiology
Study the causes and nature of disease processes in animals and humans, with emphasis on the mechanisms responsible for the development of diseases at the level of organ systems, the cell or subcellular mechanisms

Biomedical Engineering
Engaging in a rich spectrum of advanced research at the molecular, cellular, tissue, systems, and organism levels as well as in clinical practice

Biophysics
Interdisciplinary program that prepares students to conduct independent research at the interface of physics, chemistry, and biology

Neuroengineering (Specialization)
Graduate students at UC Davis have the unique opportunity to pursue neuroengineering as an individual major or specialization, regardless of graduate program or graduate group

Computer Science
Areas of focus include algorithms, computational biology, computer graphics and visualization, computer systems design, machine learning, programming languages and compilers, scientific computation, software engineering and more

Applied Mathematics
Developing mathematical models for describing biological systems at the suborganismic, organismic and population levels

 

Courses and Seminars

ERP Summer Bootcamp
The UC-Davis/SDSU ERP Boot Camp is a 10-day intensive introduction to the ERP technique and includes lectures, activities, individual consults and networking opportunities

NSC 298 Rocks and Shoals
A graduate level career development course focused on careers in the neurosciences

Perspectives in Neuroscience
Formal seminar series at the Center for Neuroscience. Brings distinguished neuroscientists to present lectures and meet with faculty members and graduate students in their field of interest

Frontiers in Pharmacology Lecture Series
Distinguished researchers are invited by the Department of Pharmacology to present their work. Topics range from those closely aligned with the research interests of the department to areas of interest to researchers across the UC Davis campus and the UC Davis School of Medicine

Seminar Outreach for Minority Advocacy (SOMA)
Student led seminar series with the goal to enhance the visibility of successful underrepresented minorities in neuroscience and educate the campus community about issues that contribute to continued oppression of minority groups. Activities include a seminar series, reading club and annual summit

MIND Institute Distinguished Lecture Series
Public lectures at the MIND Institute, intended for both specialists and community members. Includes nationally and internationally-recognized researchers in neurodevelopmental disorders

Exploring the Mind Lecture Series
Formal seminar series at the Center for Mind and Brain

Perception, Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Brown Bag Series
Investigates the processes and structures involved in high-level perception and human cognition, including the neural bases of these human attributes

Training and Resources

Traineeships

Training Program in Basic Neurosciences 
Trainees receive broad training in the fundamental principles of neuroscience, receive mentoring support and take career development courses. Provides first year graduate students with 1 year (Oct 1- Sep 30) of tuition, fees, stipend and travel funding-open to Neuroscience graduate students

Learning Memory and Plasticity (LaMP) Advanced Training Program
Training across disciplines to bridge the gaps between the major levels of LaMP research. Trainees participate in LaMP core and career development courses, give presentations, develop and submit their own NRSA grant and are encouraged to engage in community outreach events. Provides Trainees with 1 year (Oct 1- Sep 30) stipend, travel allowance, full tuition and fees- students from multiple graduate programs may apply in years 1, 2 (or 3 with approval)

Training Program in Vision Sciences
Mission is to prepare the next generation of vision scientists to enter the biomedical workforce by providing specialized, interdisciplinary training in the basic science of vision​​​​​​. ​Provides Trainees with small travel allowance, full tuition, fees and stipend on a yearly basis (Sept 1-Aug 30)- open to students across multiple graduate programs

Provides opportunities for students to participate in unique educational experiences to learn fundamentals of neuroscience, engineering, and computer science, including data analytics and machine learning, and how they can be applied to new frontiers in neuroengineering. The goal is to enable students to strengthen their domain expertise while contributing to solving cross-disciplinary challenges in neuroengineering and broadening their professional development. Up to 6, 1-year fellowships are available per year to students doing research in neuroengineering, covering stipend, travel allowance, full tuition, and fees. Students from multiple graduate programs may apply during their 1st year of a PhD degree. MS and PhD students may also register as trainees. 
 

Training Program in Pharmacological Sciences
Aims to broaden the research perspectives and skills of Trainees interested in pharmacological research. Trainees participate in foundational courses, give regular presentations and attend two seminar series. Provides stipend, small travel allowance and partial student fees on a yearly basis (July 1-Jun 30)- students from approved graduate programs apply in their 1st year

Advanced Training in Environmental Health Sciences
Objective is to train the next generation of environmental health scientists through interdisciplinary research and coursework. Areas of research focus in this training program are: (1) Cancer; (2) Endocrine and Metabolic Mechanisms of Toxicity; (3) Genotoxicity and Epigenetics; (4) Neurotoxicology; and (5) Respiratory Toxicology. Provides stipend, fees and an allowance for trainee related expenses on an annual basis (Oct 1-Sept 30)- students from multiple graduate programs may apply after their 1st year

Training Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Students participate in activities designed to hone research techniques, especially as related to molecular and cellular biology, research rigor and reproducibility, critical thinking abilities, oral and written communication skills and in providing career development and networking activities. Provides Trainees with 2 years (Oct 1- Sep 30) of stipend, travel allowance, full tuition and fees-students from multiple graduate programs may apply in their 1st year

Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)
The IMSD program aims to identify and train underrepresented graduate and undergraduate students to become part of the next generation of research leaders and innovators in biomedical and behavioral sciences. Students participate in a summer bridge program as well as academic and professional enrichment activities. Provides first year graduate students with 1 year of tuition, fees and stipend


Professional Programs and Resources

Grad Pathways for Professional Development
Provides innovative programming based on 8 core competencies. Includes workshops and events designed to help graduate students and postdoctoral scholars succeed in their chosen career paths and at UC Davis 

FUTURE Program
Career exploration program that helps PhD students and postdocs from any discipline conducting research that advances health

Leaders for the Future 
Provides immersive experiences (internships, job shadowing, short projects, etc.) outside of academia.  Cutting-edge training in leadership skills, business communication, project management, innovation and entrepreneurship is provided to participants from all disciplines through a series of workshops and other activities

First-Generation Grads Initiative
This initiative is designed to address the needs of first-generation graduate students with a multi-pronged approach involving 1) peer mentorship, 2) professional development, and 3) a series of networking events