The program is preceptor-based. The study and research schedule outlined below should be completed within four to five years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. The minimal residence requirement established by The Graduate College, which is eight quarters of full-time enrollment of at least 12 credit hours per quarter, is followed. During the first two years, students are expected to complete required coursework (and any deficiencies). First year required courses consist of The Graduate College Core curriculum courses, the Rush Medical College neurobiology (NEU 451) course and Introduction to Physiology/ Pharmacology (PHR 504). Graduate students are expected to receive a grade of at least "B" in these courses. In the fall quarter of the second year of study, all students are required to enroll in and pass a statistics and experimental design course (NEU 544). During the first two years of study, students rotate through various laboratories involved in the program and learn certain techniques commonly in use in neuroscience laboratories. The requirement is mastery of four techniques outside any of those used by the student in his/her research. The major required course in the second year of study is an Advanced Neuroscience Proseminar (NEU 591) taught jointly by participating faculty. A seminar format is used that encourages extensive discussion and student participation. A course titled “Selected Topics in Neuroscience” (NEU 690) is available to advanced students (in their third or fourth year of residence) for credit. The offerings in this course change from year to year depending on demand and interest, and the course is taught by different faculty members. In addition to coursework, students are encouraged to participate in and carry out independent research in their first two years of residence.

Required courses in the first two years of study are: