Program Description

Studying Neuroscience will allow students to participate in the exciting progress in understanding the nervous system at any level, from molecular to systems. Students will develop an appreciation for the relationship between basic neuroscience research, translational research, and clinical research by directly participating in one of these areas.

The program is supported by the Stanford University Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and is comprised of faculty from 17 basic science and clinical departments. The approximately 140 faculty members work in all the major areas within neuroscience, including: systems/behavioral neuroscience, cellular and molecular neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, electrophysiology, plasticity, and neurodegenerative disease, translational and clinical research.

Neuroscience is an area that lends itself to interdisciplinary collaboration, and this emphasis is expanding. Students will have the opportunity to be exposed to many areas within neuroscience, supplementing their primary research focus. The goal of the Concentration is to bring medical students into the research endeavor by close interaction with the faculty who are engaged in this process.

The breadth of faculty interests in the program allows students to participate in any of these aspects of neuroscience research. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve the care of patients with neurological disease by better understanding the underlying function of the nervous system.

Graduate Degree Programs

Stanford University School of Medicine offers a highly regarded PhD program in neuroscience, which routinely includes MD/PhD students. The program is supported in part by an ongoing training grant, and applications from interested students in the research line will be considered. Students who are interested in pursuing an MD/PhD may apply to the Neuroscience PhD Program, the Biophysics PhD Program, or one of the other programs within the Biosciences. For more general information about applying to graduate programs, visit Stanford University's Office of Graduate Admissions online.