Neuroscience (PhD)
Our PhD program is a full-time program that focuses on independent and original research. Your experimental research will serve as the basis of your dissertation which you will defend in an oral examination. In preparation for writing your dissertation, you will also complete a candidacy exam.
This program emphasizes the connections between the core areas in neuroscience. These core areas include learning and memory, synaptic function, developmental neuroscience, sensory motor systems, and disease and industry.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
In this program, you will gain:
- an in-depth knowledge of their chosen research area
- a breadth of knowledge on neuroscientific methods
- mastery of experimental design and methods
- advanced skills in quantitative data analysis and interpretation
- scientific writing, presentation and knowledge translation skills
Find a supervisor
PhD students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- you must list a potential supervisor on your application
- this faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission
- include an email from your supervisor with your application
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you’ve found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
Brian Christie
Professor and Graduate Adviser (School of Medical Sciences), Associate Dean Research (Faculty of Health) Synaptic Plasticity, Neurogenesis, Adipokines, Myokines, Cytokines, Blood Biomarkers, Aging, Brain Injury, Developmental Disorders, Hippocampus, Learning and memory processes, Sex Differences, Electrophysiology, Microscopy, Proteomics
Hector Caruncho
Professor Neurobiology of schizophrenia and depression, biomarkers and discovery of novel drug targets in mood and psychotic disorders
Jane Gair
Teaching Professor Dr. Gair teaches in a variety of courses and modalities to the 1st and 2nd year UBC medical students at the Island Medical Program (IMP) at UVic.
Leigh Anne Swayne
Director, Professor Cell biology of neuronal and cardiomyocyte structural and functional plasticity as it pertains to neurodevelopment, neurological disease, and aging. Relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative disease, brain inflammation associated with infection, brain injury, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, and structural heart disease. Key expertise in microscopy and protein biochemistry techniques.
Lisa Kalynchuk
Vice-President Research & Innovation Neurobiology of depression, the psychiatric complications of epilepsy, and the effect of chronic stress on the brain and behavior.
Marie-Ève Tremblay
Professor, Canada Research Chair (Tier I) of Neurobiology of Healthy Cognitive Aging microglia, lifestyle, environment, brain resilience, cognitive aging
Patrick Nahirney
Professor Synapse ultrastructure, myogenesis & muscle cell fusion, live-cell imaging & electron microscopy
Tim Naimi
Director, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research substance-use epidemiology, particularly binge drinking and the health effects of moderate drinking, prevention and effective public policies for reducing substance-use-related problems for alcohol and cannabis
Program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Program details
Application deadlines
We recommend that you submit your application at least six months before the program entry date. Entry terms are September, January and May.
We recommend that you submit your application at least six months before the program entry date. Entry terms are September, January and May.
Admission requirements
Program-specific requirements
Admission to this program requires a master's degree with course work related to your proposed thesis research concentration. You must have a Neuroscience faculty member agree to supervise you and agree to provide financial support in advance of applying to the program. To be considered for admission you must meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum grade point average (GPA).
If you are a Neuroscience MSc student then you may also transfer into the PhD program at the end of your first year. If you are transferring from another program within UVic, the Neuroscience graduate program committee will consider the application on the basis of your GPA from the last two academic years.
Program-specific requirements
Admission to this program requires a master's degree with course work related to your proposed thesis research concentration. You must have a Neuroscience faculty member agree to supervise you and agree to provide financial support in advance of applying to the program. To be considered for admission you must meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum grade point average (GPA).
If you are a Neuroscience MSc student then you may also transfer into the PhD program at the end of your first year. If you are transferring from another program within UVic, the Neuroscience graduate program committee will consider the application on the basis of your GPA from the last two academic years.
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Kailah Sebastian at ksebastian@uvic.ca or 250-853-3129.