Department of Cell and Neurobiology

Return to: Keck School of Medicine of USC

Keith Administration Building 400
1975 Zonal Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9037
(323) 442-1145
FAX: (323) 442-2494
Email: janet.stoeckert@usc.edu

Faculty

Professor and Chair: Mikel H. Snow

W.M. Keck Provost Professor of Neurogenetics, Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Psychology and Pharmacy: Pat Levitt, PhD

Professors: J. Chen; M. E. Fini; P. Levitt; A. McDonough; T.H. McNeill*; J.E. Schechter*; M. Snow; R. I. Wood*; S.Y. Ying

Associate Professors: G.H. Albrecht*; K. Eagleson; J.A. Garner*; R. Gopalakrishna*; J.D. Miller; P. Elyse Schauwecker; H. Sucov*; Q-L Ying

Assistant Professors: G. Adams; A. Bonnin; K. Chang; G. Crump; G. Field; M. Habib; F. Mariani; B. Patel; H. Tao; M. Winfield; H. Wu

Emeritus Professor: Dwight Warren III

*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.

The Department of Cell and Neurobiology provides interdisciplinary training in molecular, cellular and systems biology. Ongoing programs explore basic mechanisms in molecular and cellular neurobiology, neurogenetics, endocrinology, pharmacology, stem cell biology and vertebrate evolution. Disease-oriented research, bridging basic and clinical disciplines, investigates inherited or acquired disorders in vision, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and steroid abuse. The challenge is to weld interdisciplinary activities into a conduit for transferring basic science discoveries into more effective and innovative clinical interventions in the treatment of disease-related disabilities.

The Department of Cell and Neurobiology has 24 primary faculty members.

The Department of Cell and Neurobiology is dedicated to excellence and state-of-the-art training and education in molecular and cellular aspects of normal function and in acquired or genetic disorders that cause human disease. Professional and intellectual development is fostered through a broadly based curriculum from which students can tailor a menu of specialization and by a supportive environment of faculty interactions. Graduate education is designed to prepare the student for a lifetime of learning, exploring the limits of research, teaching and creative activities.

Cell and Neurobiology Graduate Program

The graduate program offered in cell and neurobiology provides a flexible, individualized course of study directed toward developing independent, resourceful scholars. The major thrust of this program is devoted to students training for the PhD degree but study toward the MS degree is also possible.

Admissions

Master of Science

The prerequisite for applicants to the MS graduate program in cell and neurobiology is a bachelor’s degree with a science major or equivalent. Applicants should have a superior undergraduate record at an accredited college or university. Additional requirements include three letters of recommendation and satisfactory performance on the general and advanced (biology or chemistry) portions of the Graduate Record Examinations. Students are normally admitted for the academic year beginning in the fall; however admission to the master’s program can begin in the spring semester with approval from the Graduate Admission Committee. Application deadline for the following academic year is January 1.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctoral candidates interested in working with CNB faculty in the areas of neural, computational, cognitive and behavioral science should apply through the Program in Biomedical and Biological Science (PIBBS). Applicants interested in working with CNB faculty as part of the MD/PhD program should apply directly to the Keck School of Medicine.

Application deadlines:

MD/PhD program — American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) — November 1; Supplemental — December 1
PIBBS — December 1

Programs

Master’s Degree

Cell and Neurobiology (MS)

Courses

Cell and Neurobiology