Laboratory rotations - Neuroscience Ph.D. students are encouraged to complete up to 3 laboratory rotations.  The goals of these rotations are to provide exposure to different conceptual approaches and experimental techniques, as well as to expose students to several laboratories to help them identify their Ph.D. mentor and home laboratory. Each lab rotation should last approximately 2 months and should be completed during the first year in the Programme, These rotations are optional, so that students who have already identified a mentor are not required to participate in rotations. At the beginning of each academic year, a list of mentors willing to host rotation students will be complied and this list will be provided to aid selection of laboratory rotations.

Research project and mentoring – After completing coursework and laboratory rotations, a Neuroscience Ph.D. student will decide on a research project and successfully complete their Qualifying Examination by the end of their second year. Students should plan to defend their Ph.D. thesis within 4 years. A research project will be identified by the student, in close consultation with their mentor. Students have the option of performing research projects that span more than one research field and benefit from mentoring by faculty in different disciplines.

The mentor will also have primary responsibility for supervising the research progress of a student. All Neuroscience Ph.D. Programme students, along with their mentors, will be expected to identify a Thesis Advisory Committee that will interact regularly and meaningfully with each student to provide academic and scientific guidance. The Director of the Neuroscience Ph.D. Programme will provide initial guidance to students prior to selection of a faculty mentor and Thesis Advisory Committee.​