The Graduate Program



If you are considering a graduate degree in neurobiology, Stony Brook’s Graduate Program in Neurobiology and Behavior should interest you.

The graduate program offers multidisciplinary training leading to the PhD degree or combined MD/PhD in combination with Stony Brook’s School of Medicine.

The current student population is 33. Approximately half is female. 57% are US citizens. Six percent are classified as minority. Four graduates are expected during this academic year being replaced in the fall 2000 by an expected incoming class of ten beginning students.

Competition for these positions is considered very competitive. GRE scores, grades and recommendations from former instructors are weighted heavily. Admissions requirements are further described in the program’s Guidelines.

Funding for students in the program comes from state sources, an NIH training grant, and faculty research grants. The stipend is currently at $17,000. Full tuition scholarships are awarded.

Upon arrival to campus, there is a plethora of orientation programs designed to quickly move students efficiently through the essential introductory necessities and on to their career studies. Staff from the Graduate School provide TA (teaching assistant) training, and SPEAK tests to international students. Employee Relations presents details of health benefits, and the department’s graduate program faculty describe the program objectives and requirements.

First and second year students each are assigned a study carrel in newly renovated offices complete with a personal iMAC computer. In later years, students have space in research laboratories.

Early in the semester lunch meetings for 1st year students with faculty and a mini-course in ethics round out the introductory aspects of graduate training in Neurobiology and Behavior at Stony Brook.

In setting course requirements, individual academic backgrounds, interests, and career goals of incoming students are considered. The course of study outlined in our guidelines is presently being revamped but a core curriculum, laboratory rotations, and a major research project will most likely continue as the model curriculum designed to ensure broad competence in modern neuroscience. Teaching and participation in seminars are important aspects of ones education that will most likely continue throughout a career in neuroscience.

There are 48 training faculty involved in the program thereby offering a broad choice of advisors and research topics. Twenty-two have primary appointments in The Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and twenty-six have secondary appointments in neurobiology with primary appointments in other departments (Biochemistry, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, Physiology and Biophysics, Psychology, Psychiatry) and off campus in departments at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. Research interests include Biophysics and Cellular Neurobiology, Molecular Neurobiology and Integrative and Behavioral Neurobiology.

Applying: Applications to Neurobiology and Behavior’s graduate program can be considered at any time, but all admits begin in the fall semester. Application forms can be obtained by writing or calling the department or from the Graduate School’s Internet page. Entrance requirements are a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, one year of calculus and physics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, plus demonstrated proficiency in biological sciences. Strong candidates have undergraduate grades of B or better, however, deficiencies do not preclude admission. Special consideration is given to promising applicants. Other requirements include satisfactory scores on the GRE and three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background. A TOEFL score of 600 or better is required of international students. An application processing fee of $50.00 must be submitted with the application.

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