About PhD Program,
The Neuroscience Curriculum (NBIO) stresses a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the brain. More than 75 faculty members in 12 departments and 5 specialized research centers participate in this interdisciplinary program. The Curriculum facilitates communication between these neuroscientists across departmental barriers in order to:
- Provide PhD training that incorporates a broad interdisciplinary background.
- Provided opportunities for thesis work in laboratories representing the full spectrum of modern neuroscience research.
- Promote the very latest technical approaches.
- Facilitate collaborative, interdisciplinary and translational research.
We also encourage increased communication and interactions among neuroscientists at UNC and neighboring institutions (Duke University, North Carolina State University, National Institute of Environmental Health Service (NIEHS) and North Carolina Central University) by sponsoring seminars, symposia, journal clubs, and conferences. Finally, NBIO strongly supports and fosters the exposure to a broad range of potential careers through the (Training Initiatives in Biomedical and Biological Sciences) TIBBS Program. TIBBS and other career development programs offer information, seminars, workshops and individual guidance for all biomedical career options, including academic, government, pharmaceutical and scientific publishing.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
We welcome applicants with a background in a biological, chemical, or physical science. Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree by the time of enrollment at UNC. A Master’s degree is not required for admission.
What are characteristics of successful BBSP Applicants?
Our top priority is to recruit a group of students with a variety of perspectives, and that each new member of our community has high potential for success in UNC’s particular research environment. There is no single “type” of successful candidate, and each application is reviewed thoroughly in its own context. Virtually all incoming BBSP students have participated in substantial scientific research and have actively sought out research opportunities and both scientific and academic challenges. We look for motivation, curiosity, perseverance, and evidence of deep research engagement. Note: Funding constraints limit the number of international students (non-citizens/non-permanent residents) in the BBSP class. Successful international applicants often have co-authored publications and/or have extensive research experience.
Students who are admitted to BBSP typically have at least 5 months of full-time research experience in academic or industry settings (the median is 24 months). Some students achieve this experience through part-time research experience during undergraduate or graduate studies, and others achieve this through full-time research experience during summers or as a lab technician, research scientist, lab manager, etc.
Other characteristics of our first-year students:
- Median age = 23 (range from 19 to 56)
- Median TOEFL score = 100 (range from 92 to 107)
- Median undergraduate cumulative GPA = 3.6 (range from 2.1 to 4.0)
- Applicants on the lower end of this GPA range typically have more full-time research experience or have completed an additional certificate or Master’s program to demonstrate their preparedness for BBSP.
- 17% previously completed a Master’s degree
- 31% transitioned to BBSP directly from undergraduate
PhD Funding Coverage,
The first year of the program is fully funded by BBSP through external and internal funds. After the first year, students are funded by a combination of training (T32) grants, their dissertation mentor’s grants, PhD program funds, and other internal funding sources. We encourage and support students to apply for extramural fellowships; we provide workshops, advice, and assistance, and many of our students compete successfully for prestigious independent funding from the NIH, the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the American Heart Association, the American Society for Microbiology, etc.
The annual stipend for 2024-25 will be $37,000. In addition, BBSP pays your UNC fees (currently $1,983), health insurance (currently $4,904 for the Blue Cross Blue Shield GSHIP (RA or TA) plan), and tuition (currently $10,764 plus out-of-state tuition when applicable). Total student compensation is thus > $54,000.
First-year BBSP students also receive a one-time startup bonus of $1,500 to help with the costs of moving and starting graduate school.
BBSP provides one of the best stipends of similar American PhD programs. In the table below, we show that your stipend goes farther in the Triangle (Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh) than in most parts of the country.
Application Requirement,
Statement of Purpose
Recommendation Letters
Transcripts
GRE/TOEFL/IELTS Requirements
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Research Areas of Interest
Application Deadline,
Dec 05, 2024
Application Fee,
The application fee set by the UNC Graduate School is $95.
