REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO IMPLEMENT A NEW DEGREE
PROGRAM
PhD in Neuroscience
Delaware State University
Department of Biological Sciences
September 2007
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Department:
Biological Sciences
Discipline Specialty Title:
Neuroscience PhD Program
Discipline Specialty Number:
Level: Bachelor ________ Master ________ PhD ___X____
Program Tracks:
I.
PhD Program in Neuroscience
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM
A. Describe the proposed program and associated degree program tracks.
The Biology Department currently offers an M.S. degree in Molecular and Cellular
Neuroscience. Currently, no PhD program in Neuroscience exists in the State of Delaware;
with the recent addition of new neuroscience-focused faculty members, the time is right for
DSU to develop a neuroscience PhD program to fill the need for such a program at both the
University and state level. Our department received an NSF grant to develop a dual degree,
M.S.-PhD program in partnership with the Neuroscience PhD program at Drexel University.
Over the past two years, this grant has enabled us to add resources necessary to develop our
own PhD program. Our course and research infrastructure in the area of neuroscience has
been improved, and the neuroscience students and faculty have benefited from interaction
with the Drexel University program. Therefore, the time is right for the DSU Biology
Department to begin a neuroscience PhD program.
B. List the educational objectives of the program.
Understanding the functioning of the brain is one of the final frontiers of biology.
Neuroscience, the study of brains and nerve cells, is a discipline that is expanding by involving
more of the scientific workforce and attracting more federal and private dollars to support
neuroscience related research and development. The Society for Neuroscience is currently the
largest scientific society in the world, and still continues to grow. This degree program is
designed to prepare students for a career in research in fields related to neuroscience. This
program will be the only neuroscience PhD program in the State of Delaware, and will link with
related research and academic programs at other institutions within the state of Delaware.
Students completing this program will:
1)
have an in depth knowledge of the current understanding of the functioning of
the nervous system;
2)
have contributed significant new knowledge to our understanding of the
functioning of the nervous system;
3)
be able to develop and carry out an original program of research related to
neuroscience;
4)
be able to critically analyze the scientific literature related to neuroscience.
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C. Indicate the relation of this program to other programs offered at the University,
including the common use (1) courses, (2) faculty, (3) facilities, (4) other resources.
The new PhD program will complement and strengthen the existing Biology M.S. and
Neuroscience M.S. programs in the following ways:
 The required foundation courses (Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Statistics)
will be the same for all three programs, increasing the number of students who
will enroll in these courses, while the required neuroscience courses for the PhD
program will count as electives for the M.S. in Biology.
 Courses offered that are listed as electives in the existing Biology and
Neuroscience M.S. programs will count as electives for the new PhD program
also, increasing the number of students who enroll in the classes. The only new
classes that must be developed for the Neuroscience PhD program are
“Introduction to Neuroscience”, “Scientific Integrity”, a course required by NIH
and NSF for any graduate program to receive training grant funding, and
“Strategies for Effective Teaching in Biology” as well as the two seminar classes
“Current Topics in Neuroscience I and II”. As the program evolves, additional
electives may be added, however, we also have neuroscience-related courses at
UD to draw on.
 Having a PhD program at DSU will increase the attractiveness of the two MS
programs offered in the Department, and increase the number and quality of
students applying to those programs.
 The program will ensure a critical mass of graduate students for departmental
research seminars and journal clubs to give students experience discussing their
own and others research.
 The PhD in Neuroscience program requires that students take 3 electives. Most of
the electives are already taught (23-651, 23-635, 23-605, 24-521), either as stand
alone courses or as a graduate companion to an advanced undergraduate course.
Two of the new electives for the neuroscience PhD program (Behavior,
Pharmacology) are in the area of expertise of new faculty members in the
department and will serve as electives for both the Biology and Neuroscience MS
programs as well. The Pharmacology and Behavior courses were originally
proposed to be co-taught with already existing undergraduate courses. To
strengthen the academic component of our PhD program, we will modify those
courses to be stand-alone graduate courses, and the Behavior course will evolve
into Behavioral Genetics, a more specialized course appropriate for advanced
graduate students.
 The lack of faculty conducting research has, in the past, limited the prospects for a
successful PhD program. The recent growth of the Biology Department (four
new faculty since January 2006) and the increase in the grant success of more
senior faculty has increased the number of opportunities for students to participate
in funded research. In addition, many faculty at institutions in the State of
Delaware conducting neuroscience-related research have expressed an interest in
providing research training for DSU Neuroscience PhD students by hosting them
in their laboratories. This will also increase opportunities for Biology Department
faculty to form collaborations with researchers at other institutions. However,
even with opportunities for students to do their dissertation research with faculty
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
at other institutions, development of a strong PhD program will require hiring of
an additional 2-3 faculty members with active research programs related to
neuroscience.
On the faculty development side, having the research labor force at DSU
restricted to undergraduates and MS students has limited the research programs of
faculty. Having a group of students working in research labs for 4 to 6 years
creates a continuity in the lab that undergraduates and MS students can’t provide.
In addition, students who work so long in a lab build up significant skills and
expertise and are much more productive than undergraduates and MS students.
D. Identify similar programs offered elsewhere in Delaware.
This program will be the only neuroscience PhD program in the State of Delaware, making it a
magnet for students interested in neuroscience.
E. List the names of other institutions with similar offerings regarded as high quality
programs by the developers of the proposed programs.
Drexel University has a very high quality Neuroscience PhD program, which is a model for ours.
Locally, Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, and the University
of Maryland, College Park all have neuroscience PhD programs. Among HBCUs, both
Morehouse and Meharry Schools of Medicine have neuroscience PhD programs.
F. List other institutions consulted in developing this proposal.
Drexel University
University of Delaware
Delaware Biotechnology Institute
A.I. Dupont Children’s Hospital (Nemours Institute)
II.
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE PROGRAM
A. Narrative Statement. Describe the program as it relates to:
i. The institutional mission
Delaware State University seeks to serve a diverse student population with a broad range of
programs in instruction, service, and research, so that its graduates will be competent, productive
and contributing citizens. The proposed program contributes enormously to this mission by
providing its candidates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to prepare them for
further advanced study and for careers in the scientific workforce. The University’s new
Strategic Plan emphasizes achieving excellence in undergraduate education, offering an array of
top-quality master’s degree and doctoral program, being an engine for research and economic
development in the region, developing a community of nationally recognized scholars, and
building a culture of global awareness. The first three of DSU’s nine institutional goals directly
align with the proposed PhD program:
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


Goal 1: Strengthen and support academic programs to enable students to reach their
career goals
Goal 2: Maintain, support, and encourage a dynamic research program that will
foster and increase faculty and student participation
Goal 3: Improve and strengthen outreach efforts to underserved populations in the
state
ii. Overall state plans (higher education and service programs)
The State of Delaware has a stated mission of improving the worker skills in biotechnology and
related sciences. This program will contribute to that goal by providing advanced degrees in a
growing area of science . In addition, Astra Zeneca, a large employer in Delaware, has research
and development programs related to neuroscience drug delivery.
iii. Student demand
Our PhD program will increase the number of minority students pursuing PhDs in Life Science
by offering advanced classes, mentoring, and research training in the less stressful and more
supportive environment of an HBCU. There is a significant student interest in this program. In
summer of 2007, biology faculty visiting undergraduate research conferences received many
inquiries about DSUs neuroscience graduate program from students interested in a PhD program.
iv. The strengthening of the existing undergraduate and graduate academic
programs of the University
This program could be a natural option for many of our undergraduate students who are thinking
about pursuing a PhD, and may allow us to keep some of our best students here and involved in
research after they receive their BS degree. Although it is recommended that graduates
matriculate at other universities for further study, there may be times when continuing at DSU is
appropriate.
B. Enrollment:
i. Program enrollments for four years, giving the basis for the projections.
Our plan is to receive support for students through a training grant from the National Science
Foundation or the National Institutes of Health. If we are successful in that effort, the grant
would support 2-3 new students per year and would maintain the support for the first 2-3 years of
their program. After that the students would transition to support through the research funding of
their faculty mentor. Even if we are not immediately successful in acquiring training grant
support, faculty with funded federal grants can easily receive a supplement to support a minority
PhD student working in their lab. We also intend to utilize DSU development office procedures
to contact regional businesses and life science companies, e.g., Astra Zeneca or Cephalon, to
seek their support for our PhD program. To the extent that we are successful attracting
minorities to our program, we should still be able to admit at least 2 students per year to work
with faculty already funded.
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ii.
Project the enrollments by numbers and race using the chart below.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
(2008-2009)
(2009-2010)
(2010-2011)
(2011-2012)
________________________________________________________________________
1 Caucasian
2 Caucasian
2 Caucasian
3 Caucasian
2 African American
4 African American 5 African American 6 Af/Am
0 Hispanic/Latino
0 Hispanic/Lat.
1 Hispanic/Lat.
1 Hisp/Lat
Totals
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8
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The ethnic and/or racial breakdown of the above projections was done on the basis of the
demographics of those applying to our graduate programs and those graduate students currently
enrolled.
C. Statewide Neuroscience Research and Training Network
The DSU Neuroscience PhD program will be the foundation of a statewide research and
training network in neuroscience. A group of biology faculty (Drs Davis and Harrington) have
been meeting regularly since early 2006 with a group of neuroscientists at A.I DuPont
Children’s Hospital and three different departments at UD. This group of faculty is working on
developing a plan and securing funding for a state-wide interdisciplinary, inter-institutional
research and training program in neuroscience. DSU’s Neuroscience PhD program would form
the centerpiece of this network in which any students in the state interested in neuroscience
would enroll in and graduate from the DSU program, but could conduct their research and take
agreed upon graduate courses at any institution in the state. Having our program as the anchor
for such a network will make our program very attractive for funding from national agencies, and
will allow us to attract better students to the program. The model of a PhD program housed at
DSU but interfacing across the entire State will be a novel but attractive program. It will move
DSU to the forefront as a neuroscience center. In fall 2007, the neuroscience planning group is
working on developing memoranda of understanding to be signed by institutional representatives
and seeking state and institutional support for the effort.
III. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND CURRICULUM
A. Admission. List the following:
i. Admissions requirements for the proposed program
For admission to the PhD in Neuroscience, applicants must meet all University requirements and
must have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline (science, technology, engineering or math)
from an accredited college or university. Applicants must have earned a cumulative grade point
average of at least 2.75 or its equivalent. These are same requirements currently used for the
existing MS in Cellular and Molecular Neurosceince degree program.
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ii. Documents to be submitted for admission (listing or sample):
Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (General Test and Biology Test) must be
submitted, and the exam must have been taken within the previous 3 years. Applicants must also
write an 800-word essay explaining their interest in neuroscience. Official Undergraduate
Transcript(s) must be submitted as well as two letters of recommendation from professors and/or
supervisors in the relevant field. International applicants whose native language is not English
must demonstrate the ability to speak, write and understand the English language by submitting a
score acceptable to the DSU Admissions Office on the Test of English as a Second Language
(TOEFL). Following a meeting of the departmental graduate committee, qualified applicants
will be invited for an interview.
B. Degree Requirements
i. Total hours required: 68 at least 38 of which must come from coursework.
ii. The initial courses are identical to those required for an MS degree which will allow
students entering the PhD program to receive an MS if appropriate (see below).
iii. A research dissertation based on an individual laboratory research problem related to
neuroscience.
iv. Grades required: The grading system will adhere to the standards of the Graduate
Program Regulations.
v. Amount of credit accepted for transfer: Transfer of credits adheres to the standards of
Graduate Programs at Delaware State University. Nine credit hours can be
transferred into the program. The nine credit limit may be waived in cases of
students transferring from linked graduate programs at the University of Delaware.
This is a novel approach that is pending but DSU neuroscience faculty have been
working with a consortium of neuroscientists from the University of Delaware and
other state institutions for us to become the ‘central anchor’ for a neuroscience
network in the state.
vi. Other requirements
none
Coursework: This degree program requires satisfactory completion of all required course
work and completion of a research project supervised by a faculty mentor. The research may be
conducted in a lab at DSU or any institution participating in the Delaware Neuroscience
Network, including Drexel University, our current partner institution. The program is designed to
be completed in a minimum of four academic years plus three summers of full-time work.
Following promotion to candidacy, students are required to take Current Topics I and Current
Topics II in the third year of the program (see appendix for course descriptions).
Qualifying Examinations: Following successful completion of year 2 coursework, all
precandidates will take a two-part qualifying examination. Part I consists of a written
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examination covering any material related to the coursework taken within the first two years.
Participating faculty will submit relevant questions for the examination committee to select for
the examination. Following successful completion of the written examination, the pre-candidate
will advance to the second part of the qualifying exam. If the student fails to pass the first
written examination, he/she will be given a second opportunity. If the student fails to pass the
examination a second time, that student will exit the program. He/she may finish the
requirements for a terminal Master’s degree, including a research thesis as currently outlined in
the Master’s Degree in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Program. Those students passing
Part I of the qualifying exam will then, over the course of the summer, complete a research
proposal based upon a choice of questions, selected by the student from a list of topics generated
by the faculty. Students will receive the list of questions and the research proposal guidelines
following the completion of the written examination period. Students will defend their research
proposal orally for an Oral Examination Committee four weeks after receiving the list of
questions. The Oral Examination Committee will make one of four recommendations: pass, pass
with rewrite, pass with re-defend, or fail. Following successful completion of Part II of the
qualifying exam, the student will be recommended for candidacy. If the student does not
successfully complete Part II of the qualifying exam, he/she will be offered two choices: 1)
complete research sufficient for a Master’s degree as approved by the student’s advisory
committee, receive a terminal M.S. and exit the program, or 2) receive a terminal M.A. degree
and exit the program.
Teaching Requirement: Each student, upon achieving candidacy, is required to teach the
equivalent of 4 credit hours, or one lecture course, before completion of the degree program.
Before teaching DSU courses, students must have completed the “Strategies for Effective
Teaching in Biology” course (see appendix for new course description).
Research Dissertation: A research dissertation must be presented and successfully
defended as part of the requirements for graduation. Students are required to select a dissertation
advisory committee by the end of their first year in the program. That committee will consist of
at least 4 members, including the research mentor, and must include at least one faculty member
from outside of the Department of Biological Sciences at DSU, and one faculty member within
the Department. A dissertation research planning meeting with the student’s dissertation
advisory committee is highly recommended early in the program. Upon completion of the
research dissertation, an oral defense of the dissertation is required. The open portion of the
defense will be a seminar delivered for both the public and the dissertation examining
committee. The dissertation examining committee will consist of the members of the
dissertation advisory committee, plus one outside examiner/expert recommended by the research
advisor. Following the open oral defense, the dissertation examining committee will have the
opportunity for a closed session with the candidate.
vii. Language and/or research tool requirements
Proficiency in English: native or near native fluency is required of all candidates.
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viii. Time limits for completion
Though Delaware State University makes provisions for completing a PhD degree program
within nine (9) years, it is expected that this program will take 48 to 60 months to complete.
Other regulations concerning completion of the thesis requirements apply as outlined in the
Delaware State University Graduate Catalog.
ix.
List courses by title and number and indicate those that are required.
Describe new courses proposed
C. CURRICULUM
Core courses (required for all students pursuing the PhD in Neuroscience degree in the
Biology Department)
23-520
Cell Biology
23-521
Molecular Biology
23-505
Experimental Design and BioStatistics
23-690
Thesis Research I
23-5xx
Introduction to Neuroscience
23-590
Professional Development I
23-591
Professional Development II
23-610
Functional Anatomy From Neuron to Brain
23-612
Neurochemistry
23-622
The Physiology of Excitable Cells
23-xxx
Strategies for Effective Teaching in Biology
23-xxx
Scientific Integrity
23-700
Current Topics I
23-701
Current Topics II
23-800
Dissertation Research
Allowed electives currently offered at DSU
(Graduate courses related to neuroscience offered at other institutions participating in the
Delaware Neuroscience Network may also count as electives. Graduate courses in other
departments at DSU may also be used as electives upon advisor approval)
23-600 Molecular Endocrinology
23-651 Proteins: Structure and Function
23-635 Experimental Methods in Biology
23-575 Molecular Genetics and Genomics
23-515 Behavior
23-511 Pharmacology
23-605 Cell Morphogenesis
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24-521 Biochemistry
23-650 Biological Mechanisms
New courses to be developed.
Implementing the PhD in Neuroscience will require development of five new required courses:
23-5xx Introduction to Neuroscience
23-6xx Scientific Integrity
23-6xx Strategies for Effective Teaching in Biology
23-700 Current Topics I
23-701 Current Topics II
23-800 Dissertation Research
The course numbers will be reviewed by Registrar before implementing.
Sample of course sequence
Year 1, Semester 1
Course #
Course name
23-520
Cell Biology
23-505
Experimental Design and BioStatistics
23-5XX
Introduction to Neuroscience
23-590
Professional Development I
total credits
Year 1, Semester 2
Course #
23-521
23-610
23-612
23-591
total credits
Number of Credits
3
3
3
1
10
Course name
Number of Credits
Molecular Biology
3
Functional Anatomy From Neuron to Brain
3
Neurochemistry
3
Professional Development II
1
10
Year 1, Summer
Thesis research
Year 2, Semester 1
Course #
23-622
23-xxx
23-6xx
total credits
Course name
Number of Credits
The Physiology of Excitable Cells
3
neuroscience elective
3
Strategies for Effective Teaching in Biology
3
9
10
Year 2, Semester 2
Course #
23-xxx
23-6xx
23-692
Total credits
Course name
neuroscience electives (2)
Scientific Integrity
Thesis Research I
Number of Credits
4-6
3
2–5
9 - 10
Year 2, Summer
Qualifying Examinations
Year 3, Semester 1
Course #
23-700
23-800
total credits
Course name
Current Topics I
Dissertation Research
Number of Credits
1
6
7
Year 3, Semester 2
Course #
23-700
23-800
total credits
Course name
Current Topics II
Dissertation Research
Number of Credits
1
6
7
Year 3, Summer
Dissertation Research
Year 4, Semester 1
Course #
23-800
total credits
Course name
Dissertation Research
Number of Credits
8
8
Year 4, Semester 2
Course #
23-800
total credits
Course name
Dissertation Research
Number of Credits
8
8
Subsequent years, Dissertation Research as required
Total credits for graduation
68 (or more as needed)
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IV. FACULTY
A. Faculty who will be directly involved in implementing the proposed program.
Biology
Dr. Leonard Davis
Dr. Harbinder Dhillon
Dr. Vincent Fondong
Dr. Melissa Harrington
Dr. Fatima Helmy
Dr. Stan Ivey
Dr. Robert MacBride
Dr. Sabrina McGary
Dr. Cynthia vanGolen
Dr. Charlie Wilson
Chemistry
Dr. Peter DiMaria
Dr. Juliette Hahn
Computer and Information Science
Dr. Dragoljub Pokrajac
Psychology
Dr. Amy Rogers
B. Need for new faculty
Implementation of this program will require hiring new tenure track faculty members.
The Biology Department is currently searching to replace a faculty member who left in
2007. The Department of Biological Sciences anticipates at least one more internal
opening to be available by 2008. However, building a strong PhD program will require
hiring additional faculty members with neuroscience expertise, if not in the Biology
Department, then in the Psychology Department. New faculty in the Psychology
Department with expertise in behavior or physiological psychology would enhance our
PhD program while building a department severely under resourced.
C. Affect on faculty activity, including course load, public service activity, and
scholarly research.
This program will improve faculty research productivity. The students in the program
will be fully funded and will be able to spend at least 50% of their time during the year
and 100% of their time in the summer on research. Our new degree program will also
provide a significant public service as we strengthen the training of Delaware’s future
workforce in a rapidly growing area.
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V) LIBRARY
The Library currently has almost no books related to neuroscience, and that need should
be addressed. However, neuroscience is one of the most rapidly advancing disciplines in
science, and as such, access to primary literature (scientific journals) is much more
important to the graduate program. Once the program is approved, the faculty involved in
the program will work with the Dean of Libraries to populate our library by developing a
list of books and journal subscriptions related to neuroscience that should be added to the
library holdings in order to serve the new program. We recognize this may be costly and
suggest that the single most important support that the library could provide for this and
all graduate programs would be to provide faculty with access to the complete “Science
Direct” online journal service. Currently the DSU scientific community only has access
to a limited number of journals but we realize the library is already trying to remedy this..
Discuss any contemplated use of other instructional libraries.
Science faculty already make use of the library at UD because it is possible to get access
to the complete Science Direct journal list there. However, since UD does not have a
neuroscience program, their holding of books and bound journals related to that
discipline are not extensive. Some faculty also have been able to utilize our linkage with
Drexel University.
VI) FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Each of the current faculty members involved in the new program has a research lab in which
students can conduct research. However, new laboratory space must be identified for new
faculty coming into the program. To develop successful graduate programs per the
university’s strategic plan, the administration has made a commitment to support faculty
research, so when new faculty come in, the space will be identified. An external evaluation
of the entire graduate program is ongoing that will define the critical changes needed for a
successful graduate college.
Describe the effect of this new facility use on existing programs.
NONE
Indicate any computer services needed and/or available.
Each faculty member has a desktop computer and additional computers associated
with their research activity. In addition, the Biology Department maintains two
computer labs: a 30-work station lab in Science Center South and a 10-work station
lab in the Biotech lab. The Biology Department has a Computer Assistant who helps
maintain all of these computers and facilities. No additional computer facilities are
needed.
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Indicate sources of financial support for any new facilities and equipment.
It is anticipated that the majority of financial support to develop new facilities to
support the program would come from grants or other sources of external funding.
However, for the PhD program and students to succeed, University commitment of space,
funding, and related resources would be ideal.
VII) ADMINISTRATION
Describe how the proposed program will be administered: Explain any
interdepartmental or inter unit administrative plans. Include an organizational
chart showing the ‘location’ of the proposed new program.
The proposed PhD program will be administered by the PhD Program Committee under
the supervision of the Department Chairperson.
This committee will review applications for admission, evaluate qualifying exams, ensure
committees are established, dissertation defense is advertised and complies, audit
students, and review graduation requirements. The below structure will be the oversight
administrative procedures to ensure the quality and compliance.
College of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology
Biological Sciences Department
Graduate Committee
PhD Program Committee in Neuroscience
VIII) ACCREDITATION
There is no specific accreditation for neuroscience degree programs, however the
program must meet minimal criteria to be recognized by the Association of Neuroscience
Departments and Programs (ANDAP). The Program will also participate in the Delaware
Chapter for Neuroscience as the Neuroscience Network has recently assumed
responsibility for that operation.
IX) SUPPORTING FIELDS
Other DSU departments with components related to neuroscience are aware of this
proposal. The “feeder” undergraduate programs for this degree are the B.S. programs in
science and math. They are adequate for the purpose.
X) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
. a. Student support
Financial support of our PhD students is absolutely essential to the success of the
Neuroscience PhD program. There are many granting programs specifically aimed at
supporting graduate students in a neuroscience PhD program. Research assistantships and
PhD fellowships are offered by both NIH and NSF. NIH also offers a new Jointly
Sponsored Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences, which
supports broad and fundamental, early-stage graduate research training in the
neurosciences. The NIH/IMSD (MBRS Inititative for Minority Student Development)
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grant supports underrepresented minority students to facilitate their progress toward
careers in biomedical research, including a degree in neuroscience.
Another granting opportunity to support our PhD students is The Minority Set-Aside grant:
"Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD)(R25)", a 4 year grant, max of $550,000
per year budget; Application deadline is Feb 21, 2008. We are going to apply for this.
Regular training grants: "Predoctoral Training at the Interface of the Behavioral and
Biomedical Sciences (T32)" is a 5 year grant with no funding limit. The application deadline
is Sept 25, 2008. We will apply for this too in collaboration with neuroscience faculty at UD
and AI Dupont.
XI) FOUR YEAR BUDGET
This budget assumes that there will be 2 students admitted to the program per year prior to
training grant support, and four students per year with a training grant. The Biology Department
will start seeking training grants to support students with tuition and stipend as soon as the PhD
program is approved. We are also working with faculty in the Departments of Biology and
Psychology at University of Delaware and the A.I. Dupont Children’s Hospital to develop a
research training network that will allow our students to receive their research training at
neuroscience laboratories across the state, not just at DSU. Once in place, this network will make
our program competitive for the kind of multimillion dollar training grants that support graduate
programs at research universities. However to build the program, the university needs to invest in
faculty and students for the first few years.
Year 1
Personnel
Release time for 3 faculty to conduct research and train PhD students
~$50,000
25% per faculty member
(in kind cost)
The University is already making this in-kind contribution to the NSF grant that funds the
MS in Neuroscience program
Tuition remission for 2 graduate students to do research or teach intro labs $16,000
(in kind cost)
Research grants of faculty (either at DSU or partner institutions) will pay stipends for
students doing research, however, some research grants don’t allow tuition payments.
This is a problem university-wide and needs to be addressed.
Salary for a graduate student to teach introductory labs
$3000/semester
$6000
The PhD program requires that students teach at least one class, and it is not allowable
to require faculty supporting students with their research grants to pay them for time they
spend teaching. An acceptable financial arrangement needs to be developed.
Travel
Travel for 2 students to attend scientific conferences
$1800
(from faculty research grants, the Graduate Student Activities Fund or Graduate Council)
Travel for faculty to advertise the program at undergraduate research
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$1800
Conferences
(grant funds)
Travel for seminar speakers
$2000
(grant funds)
Supplies
Office supplies
$500
(Bio Dept. Budget)
Publications
Posters and brochures advertising the program and its components
Consultants
Honoraria for seminar speakers 4 per year @$200/ea
$1000
(Bio Dept budget)
$800
(grant funds)
Year 2
Personnel
Release time for 4 faculty to conduct research and train PhD students
~$50,000
25% per faculty member
(in kind)
By year 2 of the program, the Biology Department will have filled the two positions
opened up when faculty retired or left the university. At least one of those new hires will
be a neuroscientist who will contribute to the program.
Tuition remission for 4 graduate students to do research or teach labs
$32,000
(in kind cost)
Salary for 2 graduate students to teach introductory labs
$2000/semester
$6000
Recruitment costs for two new faculty
Ad publication
$1000
Travel expenses
$3000
Expanding the program and attracting grant support will require the University to
commit two new faculty lines to the Neuroscience program. These positions can be in the
Biology, or Psychology Departments (most likely psychology due to the lack of lab &
office space in the science center)
Travel
Travel for 3 students to attend scientific conferences
$2100
(from faculty research grants, the Graduate Student Activities Fund or Graduate Council)
Travel for faculty to advertise the program at undergraduate research
$1800
Conferences
(grant funds)
Travel for seminar speakers
$2000
(grant funds)
Supplies
Office supplies
$500
(Bio Dept. Budget)
Publications
16
Posters and brochures advertising the program and its components
$1000
(Bio Dept budget)
Consultants
Honoraria for seminar speakers 4 per year @$200/ea
$800
(grant funds)
Year 3
By year three we plan to have been successful securing training grant support. If that happens,
the Training Grant will support tuition and stipend for the students. At that point, we expect our
program to grow dramatically, accepting four students per year instead of two.
Personnel
Release time for 6 faculty to conduct research and train PhD students
25% per faculty member
~$96,000
(in kind cost)
Tuition remission for 8 graduate students to do research
$64,000
(split between training grant and in kind)
Salary for 2 graduate students to teach introductory labs
$2000/semester
$8000
Travel
Travel for 4 students to attend scientific conferences
$3600
(from faculty research grants, the Graduate Student Activities Fund or Graduate Council)
Travel for faculty to advertise the program at undergraduate research
Conferences
$1800
(grant funds)
Travel for seminar speakers
$2000
(grant funds)
Supplies
Office supplies
$500
(Bio Dept. Budget)
Publications
Posters and brochures advertising the program and its components
Consultants
Honoraria for seminar speakers 4 per year @$200/ea
Year 4
Personnel
Release time for 6 faculty to conduct research and train PhD students
17
$1000
(Bio Dept budget)
$800
(grant funds)
~$96,000
25% per faculty member
(in kind cost)
Tuition remission for 12 graduate students to do research
$96,000
(split between training grant and in kind)
Salary for 2 graduate students to teach introductory labs
$2000/semester
$8000
Travel
Travel for 6 students to attend scientific conferences
$4500
(from faculty research grants, the Graduate Student Activities Fund or Graduate Council)
Travel for faculty to advertise the program at undergraduate research
$1800
conferences
(grant funds)
Travel for seminar speakers
$1000
(grant funds)
Supplies
Office supplies
$500
(Bio Dept. Budget)
Publications
Posters and brochures advertising the program and its components
Consultants
Honoraria for seminar speakers 4 per year @$200/ea
$1000
(Bio Dept budget)
$800
(grant funds)
XII) EVALUATION PLAN
The measures of success for the Neuroscience PhD program will include:
 Timely development and offering of new neuroscience courses to serve the program
 Recruitment of high quality faculty to support the program and provision of start up
support
 Development of neuroscience training network
 Timely development of application materials and consideration of applications
 The number of applicants for the program and the quality of the applicants as measured
by GRE scores and GPA’s. We expect to see an increase in the quantity and quality of
the applicants as the program develops.
 Successful advancement of students through the program.
 Submission of training and infrastructure grants to support the program
 Submission of research grants by faculty to fund their research
18
CURRICULUM COURSE REVIEW FORMAT
This form is for use when altering the University curriculum by adding or combining courses.
1. Course Title/Number:
Introduction to Neuroscience 23 – 5XX
2. Number of Credits:
3
3. Curriculum Program Title:
PhD in Neuroscience
4. Curriculum/Course is:
New _X__
Required __X__
Revised ____
5. List Prerequisites: Cell Biology, Molecular Biology
Elective ____
Credit 3 hours
6. List Courses Being Replaced: N/A
7. List Courses Being Deleted:
N/A
8. Needs Statement:
This course will provide a broad overview of the field of neuroscience and will provide the
foundation for more advanced neuroscience courses in the program. After completing this
course, all of the students in the program will have a common foundation of knowledge of
neuroscience no matter what their undergraduate preparation was.
9. Catalogue Description of the Course:
This course is a broad overview of the field of neuroscience covering three levels of analysis:
1) molecular and cellular; 2) systems neuroscience; and 3) behavioral neuroscience. This
course provides a common foundation in neuroscience for students planning further study or
for those simply interested in learning about the area.
Prerequisites: undergraduate cell and molecular biology Credit 3 hours
10. List Objectives of the Course:
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
1) Be able to use discuss and write about the nervous system using scientific terminology
and writing from a scientific perspective.
2) Be able to name and identify components of the nervous system and discuss their
function and mechanism of action.
3) Be able to describe our current understanding of how the brain controls sensation,
perception, movement and consciousness
11. Course Outline:
Week
Topic
1
Introduction to neuroanatomy /Anatomy of a nerve cell
2
Introduction to electrical properties of neurons:
19
Resting Potential/Action Potential
3
Introduction to synaptic transmission: Neurotransmitters and receptors
4
Signal transduction and synaptic integration
5
Synaptic models of memory: Aplysia, Long Term Potentiation & Long Term
Depression
Exam I
6
Visual system I: Retina and Thalamus
7
Central Visual Processing
8
The Auditory and Vestibular Systems
9
Somatic Sensory System & Pain
10
Muscles and motor units,
Brain control of Movement
Exam II
11
Hormones: Hypothalamus and Chemical Control of Behavior
12
Sex and the Brain
I.
13
Memory systems
14
Mood disorders and Mental Illness
15
Language and Consciousness
Exam III
12. Show how the proposed course fits into the curriculum or course sequence:
Students in the neuroscience graduate programs (MS and PhD) will take the course during
their first semester at DSU to provide a foundation for other, more advanced and specialized
neuroscience courses. Students in the Biology MS and MA programs can take the course at
any point in their programs
13. Are there comparable courses in other departments? If so, list all comparable courses
here:
None
20
14. How will students be affected by this course change? Will this course improve students'
professional competence, employability and ability to pass professional examinations?
Does this course increase the number of credit hours required for graduation? Do the
course prerequisites increase the total number of semester hours in this curriculum
program?
This course will improve the success and knowledge foundation of students in all Biology
graduate programs. It does not increase credit hours required for any program.
15. What effect will this new course have on University resources? Will this course require
new or additional resources and/or staffing?
Currently, five of the 13 Biology Department faculty are qualified to teach this course.
16. How will this new course benefit the University?
The course is crucial to our new neuroscience graduate programs.
17. How will the change affect the program?
Adding this course will strengthen the neuroscience MS and PhD programs by providing our
students with a better foundation for further study. Having neuroscience available as an
elective class will strengthen the Biology MS and MA programs by giving the students more
options for electives.
Submitted by: The Graduate Committee of the Department of Biology
Date:
Approved by the Faculty of the Department of Biology:
21
CURRICULUM COURSE REVIEW FORMAT
This form is for use when altering the University curriculum by adding or combining courses.
1. Course Title/Number:
Strategies for Effective Teaching in Biology 23 – 6xx
2. Number of Credits: 3
3. Curriculum Program Title: PhD in Neuroscience
4. Curriculum/Course is:
New _X__
Required __X__
Revised ____
5. List Prerequisites: Second year graduate student status
Elective ____
Credit 2 hours
6. List Courses Being Replaced: N/A
7. List Courses Being Deleted: N/A
8. Needs Statement:
With the increased emphasis on effective science teaching at the college as well as K-12
level, formal instruction in the foundations of good pedagogy will improve our students
preparation for careers in academe.
9. Catalogue Description of the Course:
This course provides an introduction to the principles and techniques of effective
pedagogy as it applies to teaching in the life sciences. While the course is focused on
college-level instruction, secondary school teaching will be considered. This course is
required for graduate students planning to teach in DSU’s biology department.
Prerequisites: Second year graduate student status. Credit 3 hours
10. List Objectives of the Course:
At the end of this course students will have:
1) an understanding of recent trends in science education policy and goals.
2) an understanding of the practices that promote science literacy.
3) an awareness of the diversity of curricular approaches available to science
educators, including inquiry, and interdisciplinary curricula.
4) an ability to construct assessment plans that are compatible with teaching goals
and methods
5) an ability to use instructional strategies and classroom management techniques
to promote science learning in small group or whole-class settings.
6) an ability to use multimedia technologies and trade books to support
meaningful learning.
22
11. Course Outline:
Week
Topic
1
Introduction and overview.
The Scientific Method
2
Theories of Learning: Overview
3
Cognitive Learning Theories and Multiple Intelligences
4
Overview of recent science education initiatives.
5
Teaching science as inquiry.
6
Cooperative Learning Methods
7
Lesson Design for Teaching Science Concepts
8
National State and local standards for science teaching.
9
Laboratory safety and Ethical treatment of animals.
10
Technology in the classroom, Classroom Management Techniques
11
Assessment Techniques in Science Education
12
Multicultural Science Education, Involving People with Disabilities
13
Pod casting, blogs and other internet resources
14 – 15
Students research and present case studies
12. Show how the proposed course fits into the curriculum or course sequence:
MS and PhD students will take this course anytime after their first year in the program
and before they teach in the department.
11. Are there comparable courses in other departments? If so, list all comparable
courses here:
none
12. How will students be affected by this course change? Will this course improve
students' professional competence, employability and ability to pass professional
examinations? Does this course increase the number of credit hours required for
graduation? Do the course prerequisites increase the total number of semester
hours in this curriculum program?
This course is required for a new program, so it will not increase the credits hours for
any existing program. By providing our students with formal instruction in pedagogy we
23
will better prepare them to serve DSU fulfilling their teaching requirements, and we will
better prepare them for careers in academics where teaching is part of their
responsibilities.
13. What effect will this new course have on University resources? Will this course
require new or additional resources and/or staffing?
This course will not require new staffing. The course will be taught by biology faculty
with consultation from DSUs Center for Teaching and Learning and faculty in DSUs
education department
14. How will this new course benefit the University?
By providing our students with formal instruction in pedagogy we will better prepare
them to serve DSU fulfilling their teaching requirements
15. How will the change affect the program?
This course is an important element to our new program.
Submitted by: The Graduate Committee of the Department of Biology
Date:
Approved by the Faculty of the Department of Biology:
24
CURRICULUM COURSE REVIEW FORMAT
This form is for use when altering the University curriculum by adding or combining courses.
16. Course Title/Number:
Scientific Integrity 23 – 6xx
17. Number of Credits: 3
18. Curriculum Program Title: PhD in Neuroscience, MS in Neuroscience, MS Biology
19. Curriculum/Course is:
New _X__
Required __X__
Revised ____
20. List Prerequisites: Second year graduate student status
Elective ____
Credit 3 hours
21. List Courses Being Replaced: N/A
22. List Courses Being Deleted: N/A
23. Needs Statement:
With the increased attention to ethical issues facing scientists including plagiarism and
misconduct, as well as regulations controlling use of animal and human subjects, it is
important for our students to receive formal training in research ethics. Moreover, in
order for graduate programs to receive training grant support from federal agencies, this
type of training must be part of the program.
24. Catalogue Description of the Course:
This course provides an introduction to the principles of ethical conduct of research
including scientific integrity and relevant human subjects and animal use regulations. The
course will be taught using a case-study method where students will read and discuss
situations that they might encounter in the practice of research.
Prerequisites: Second year graduate student status. Credit 3 hours
25. List Objectives of the Course:
At the end of this course students will have:
1) An understanding of the integrity issues faced by scientists, and a set of
philosophical
tools to deal with and resolve these issues
2) An understanding of relevant regulations for use of animal and human subjects
3) Practice analyzing and discussing specific illustrative cases in order to draw useful
lessons
11. Course Outline:
Required Text
25
Macrina FL (2005): Scientific Integrity: An Introductory Text With Cases. Third edition.
American Society for Microbiology Press.
Week
Topic
1
Introduction to course
What is Scientific Integrity?
2
Research Misconduct, Responsible Conduct
Ethics to Regulation:
3
Animal subjects, Human subjects, Stem cells
4
Data Management
5
Bias, Conflicts of Interest
6
Authorship
7
Collaboration & Mentoring
8
Publication and Peer Review
9
Social Responsibility
10
Whistleblowing
11
Ethics and moral decision making
Dr. Stephen Taylor, Dept. of Philosophy, Director,
Delaware Ethics Resource Center
12
Environmental Ethics
13
Case Study: Animal Research
14
Case Study: Stem Cell Research
15
Case Study: Genetic Discrimination
Reading
Ch 1
Ch 2
Ch 5,6
Ch 9-11
Ch 7
Ch 4
Ch 3, 8
Ch 4
handout
handout
handout
12. Show how the proposed course fits into the curriculum or course sequence:
MS and PhD students will take this course anytime after their first year in the program.
26. Are there comparable courses in other departments? If so, list all comparable
courses here:
none
27. How will students be affected by this course change? Will this course improve
students' professional competence, employability and ability to pass professional
examinations? Does this course increase the number of credit hours required for
graduation? Do the course prerequisites increase the total number of semester
hours in this curriculum program?
This course is required for a new program, so it will not increase the credits hours for
any existing program. By providing our students with formal instruction in scientific
integrity we will satisfy federal requirements while giving our students the tools to
conduct research responsibly and ethically.
28. What effect will this new course have on University resources? Will this course
require new or additional resources and/or staffing?
26
This course will not require new staffing. The course will be taught by biology faculty
29. How will this new course benefit the University?
By providing our students with formal instruction in scientific integrity we will satisfy
federal requirements for funding of our graduate program.
30. How will the change affect the program?
This course is an important element to our new program.
Submitted by: The Graduate Committee of the Department of Biology
Date:
Approved by the Faculty of the Department of Biology:
27
CURRICULUM COURSE REVIEW FORMAT
This form is for use when altering the University curriculum by adding or combining courses.
1. Course Title/Number:
Current Topics I 23 – 700, Current Topics II 23 - 701
2. Number of Credits: 1
3. Curriculum Program Title: PhD in Neuroscience
4. Curriculum/Course is:
New _X__
Required __X__
Revised ____
5. List Prerequisites: PhD Candidate status
6. List Courses Being Replaced:
Elective ____
Credit 1 hours
N/A
7. List Courses Being Deleted: N/A
8. Needs Statement:
This course will provide DSU’s Neuroscience PhD program students with advanced
training in analysis of the primary literature and most exciting scientific advances in the
neuroscience discipline. It will also provide a forum for discussion and brainstorming
about their research projects.
9. Catalogue Description of the Course:
This course will be a combination of presentations in both “Journal Club” and “lab
meeting” format. Students will make presentations and discuss primary literature
describing new and exciting scientific advances in the field of neuroscience. Al least once
each semester students will also make a presentation and lead a discussion about their
own research project.
Prerequisites: PhD candidate status. Credit 3 hours
10. List Objectives of the Course:
1. To train students to be able to dissect and discuss the scientific literature related to
neuroscience.
2. To train students to think analytically about scientific experiments, their own and
others.
3. To give students practice in making scientific presentations
28
11. Course Outline:
Week
Topic
1
Introduction and overview.
2
Faculty Journal Club presentation
3 - 12
Student “Journal Club” presentations of articles from neuroscience journals
(1 presentation/class)
13 – 15
Student presentations of their own research (2 presentations/class)
12. Show how the proposed course fits into the curriculum or course sequence:
PhD students will take these classes after passing their qualifying examinations and
advancing to candidacy.
13. Are there comparable courses in other departments? If so, list all comparable
courses here:
No
14. How will students be affected by this course change? Will this course improve
students' professional competence, employability and ability to pass professional
examinations? Does this course increase the number of credit hours required for
graduation? Do the course prerequisites increase the total number of semester
hours in this curriculum program?
These courses will improve the scientific training of our PhD students.
15. What effect will this new course have on University resources? Will this course
require new or additional resources and/or staffing?
These courses will be coordinated by a faculty member for 1 contact hour per semester or
less, and so will require no new University staff.
16. How will this new course benefit the University?
These courses will allow students graduating from DSU’s Neuroscience PhD program to
leave with the knowledge and scientific skills to succeed as professional neuroscientists and
reflect well on the University.
17. How will the change affect the program?
These courses are necessary for an effective PhD program
29
Submitted by: The Graduate Committee of the Department of Biology
Date:
Approved by the Faculty of the Department of Biology:
30
CURRICULUM COURSE REVIEW FORMAT
This form is for use when altering the University curriculum by adding or combining courses.
1. Course Title/Number:
Dissertation Research 23-800
2. Number of Credits: 6-8
3. Curriculum Program Title: PhD in Neuroscience
4. Curriculum/Course is:
New _X__
Required __X__
Revised ____
5. List Prerequisites: PhD Candidate status
6. List Courses Being Replaced:
Elective ____
Credit 2-9 hours
N/A
7. List Courses Being Deleted: N/A
8. Needs Statement:
This course will give students credit and a grade for the time they spend conducting their
dissertation research.
9. Catalogue Description of the Course:
This course is for students who have advanced to candidacy in a PhD program in the
Department of Biological Sciences and who are working on their dissertation research
under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Prerequisites: PhD candidate status. Credit 2-9 hours
10. List Objectives of the Course:
Students complete their dissertation research
11. Course Outline:
Determined by the mentor and student.
12. Show how the proposed course fits into the curriculum or course sequence:
This course is designed to be taken in the 3rd and 4th year of a PhD student’s program.
Can be continued from semester to semester until the student is finished as long as
he/she receives a “Q” grade each semester.
13. Are there comparable courses in other departments? If so, list all comparable
courses here:
No
31
14. How will students be affected by this course change? Will this course improve
students' professional competence, employability and ability to pass professional
examinations? Does this course increase the number of credit hours required for
graduation? Do the course prerequisites increase the total number of semester
hours in this curriculum program?
Students must complete a research-based dissertation to be awarded the PhD degree
15. What effect will this new course have on University resources? Will this course
require new or additional resources and/or staffing?
None
How will this new course benefit the University?
Students must complete a research-based dissertation to be awarded the PhD degree
Submitted by: The Curriculum Committee of the Department of Biology
Date:
Approved by the Faculty of the Department of Biology:
32