
Neuroscience (MDNS)
We at the University of Calgary have established a world class, forward-looking, research intensive training program in collaborative, team-based neuroscience research.
MDNS Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program Details
Please consult the UCalgary Academic Calendar for detailed information on the graduate neuroscience doctoral degree stream's established program and course requirements.
MDNS Master of Science (MSc) Program Details
Please consult the UCalgary Academic Calendar for detailed information on the graduate neuroscience masters degree stream's established program and course requirements.
Program Milestones & Forms
Please consult the CSM-GSE's dedicated Program Milestones webpage for the established checkpoints and supporting interim documentation required to fulfill program requirements as you progress through your graduate degree.
(Optional) Interdisciplinary Specializations
Interdisciplinary Specializations are "degree enhancers" (comparable to a minor) and as such are currently not required to fulfill base MDNS PhD or MSc program graduation requirements, at this time.
The MDNS area's 2 supplementary interdisciplinary specializations (a maximum of 1 can be declared, per credential program) are:
- Computational Neuroscience (CPNS) Specialization: Calendar Entry
- Medical Imaging (MEDI) Specialization: Calendar Entry
Note: All calendar-mandated specialization course requirements are to be completed on-top of (in addition to) one's base MDNS PhD or MSc course requirements.
MDNS Research Institute Affiliations
Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI)
The HBI's vision is "Healthy brains for better lives". Their mission is to inspire discovery and apply knowledge towards innovative solutions for neurological and mental health disorders.
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI)
Working alongside children, families, and communities, our researchers are discovering ways to help them achieve optimal health and well-being.
MDNS Awards
Journal Clubs
Joining and presenting at a Journal club is an annual program requirement (minimum of 1) for all active Graduate Neuroscience Program students for every passing enrolment year, both up-to and including one's eventual final defense year. The primary focus of these presentations are to facilitate guided discussions with their peers around a selected scholarly publication (that is relevant to to the club) to help draw direct links and conceptual connections between current and future research practice as graduate researchers in the medical/life sciences. For further details regarding club availability and their respective sign-up processes, please visit:
- The HBI Trainee Organization's (HBITO) Journal Clubs webpage; or
- The ACHRI Trainee Association's (ACHRITA) Events Page (see Current Journal Club Offerings section)
In the event of limited presentation slot availability/scheduling challenges with one's current HBITO JC of membership, the MDNS program will permit the student to present at other JCs that are overseen by alternate grad student associations (e.g. The MedSci Students’ Association (MDSC-SA), the Libin Cardiovascular Institute Trainee Organization (LCITO), etc.) to open up greater flexibility.
Graduate Research-In-Progress (GRIP) Presentations
It is a program requirement for all active Neuroscience Graduate Program students to conduct a minimum of 1 GRIP presentation during every passing program year, up-to and including their eventual final defense year.
GRIPs can be satisfied through 1 of the following 4 avenues:
- (PREFERRABLE) A Hotchkiss Brain Institute Trainee Organization (HBITO)-coordinated GRIP
- Contact the HBITO (hbito@ucalgary.ca) directly for upcoming GRIP presenter opportunities.
- Acceptable alternates, in the event that scheduling an HBITO-coordinated RIP is challenging due to either limited availability or scheduling conflicts:
- (ALTERNATE I) Inter-lab oral presentations with another UCalgary lab group. Audience must be external to student's home lab.
- (ALTERNATE II) An ACHRITA-coordinated GRIP
- Consult the ACHRITA Events Page (see Current Seminar Offerings section) or contact ACHRITA (achrita@ucalgary.ca) directly for upcoming GRIP presenter opportunities.
- (ALTERNATE III) Oral presentations/platform talks at external national or international scientific conferences, provided that they are ~15 minutes in duration – ± 5 minutes, depending on the size of the audience (i.e. 10 minutes for significant, large-scale events, or 20 minutes for local multi-lab focus groups) – and conducted towards gatherings of other researchers/lab-supported research groups, rather than the general public.
The intent of the annual GRIPs is for the student to gain valuable experience at presenting key portions of their developing research project to fellow members of the scientific research community with whom they do not interact with on a regular basis (serves as great practice in preparation for one's eventual graduate program examinations). This unfortunately means that neither the student’s regular internal lab meetings nor exhibit-style poster presentations will count as GRIP-appropriate.
Mark Matias
Graduate Program Administrator
neurosci@ucalgary.ca
Drs. Grant Gordon & Jonathan Epp
Graduate Program Co-Directors
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute Trainee Organization (HBITO)
HBITO Page
ACHRI Trainee Association (ACHRITA)
ACHRITA Page
Questions? Please contact the MDNS Graduate Program Administrator: neurosci@ucalgary.ca