Graduate Neuroscience Training
The Translational and Integrative Neuroscience (TRAIN) graduate specialization integrates with existing SFU departmental graduate programs (master's and doctoral) and is ideal for graduate students interested in interdisciplinary training in neuroscience. Graduate students in this specialization will develop strong problem-solving, critical-thinking and communication skills to serve their future careers. Whether your aim is fundamental research, clinical application, industry-related or any combination, you will leave with a broad understanding of the pathway from discovery to application to commercialization.
Overall, the goals of the TRAIN graduate specialization are threefold:
- Provide integrative and interdisciplinary training in neuroscience at both Master's and Doctoral levels;
- Prepare graduate students for careers within academia as well as for clinical and industrial research settings; and
- Instill a translational mind-set in its graduates.
What is Translational Neuroscience Research?
Understanding the function of the brain and its disorders has become increasingly important. This starts at the fundamental level. Although neuroscientists have made excellent progress, we still have much to learn, and we must work to translate fundamental knowledge into effective interventions and health technologies. Translational neuroscience research is the integration of, and transfer of knowledge between, basic-, clinical-, and community-based research; the design and testing of behavioural-, drug-, and neurostimulation-based interventions in clinical populations; and the development, testing, and commercialization of health technologies. Importantly, translation also involves communicating novel findings and promoting general neuroscientific concepts to the public. Our researchers are at the forefront of these endeavours, which have the potential to greatly benefit society. SFU is ideally situated to provide this graduate training, given its strong track record of health innovation and state-of-the-art neuroscience equipment. Accordingly, a critical component of the TRAIN graduate specialization is the series of translation-oriented workshops and activities students will engage in throughout their degree(s).
TRAIN Specialization Requirements
The TRAIN specialization consists of course work and workshops for a minimum of 6 units.
MASTER'S REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAIN SPECIALIZATION
Students must complete the following two courses with a grade of B+ or higher:
- NEUR 800 - Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3)*
- NEUR 801 - Foundations of Systems Neuroscience (3)*
Students must also participate in at least two TRAIN workshops (NEUR 802) over the course of their degree. Workshops are normally offered twice per year (one in the Fall term and one in the Spring term) and are approximately 3 hours in duration.
DOCTORAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAIN SPECIALIZATION
Students must complete the following two courses with a grade of B+ or higher:
- NEUR 800 - Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3)*
- NEUR 801 - Foundations of Systems Neuroscience (3)*
Students must also participate in at least four TRAIN workshops (NEUR 802) over the course of their degree. Workshops are normally offered twice per year (one in the Fall term and one in the Spring term) and are approximately 3 hours in duration.
*NEUR 800 and 801 are normally offered in the Fall term, in alternating years. However, this is subject to change. Students are encouraged to consult course offerings through the SFU online system. All students, regardless of department or school, are able to enrol in NEUR 800 and 801. Enrolment in NEUR 802 is only available to graduate students in TRAIN.
Apply
To enrol in the TRAIN graduate specialization, a student must be in a thesis-based master's or doctoral program at SFU. This specialization is only available to graduate students in the Departments of Biological Sciences, Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, and Psychology. We anticipate other Departments/Schools to participate in this specialization in the future. Overall program requirements may vary depending on the home Department or School.
If you are a current graduate student at SFU, application to the TRAIN graduate specialization is through the TRAIN steering committee. Submit the following application form to train@sfu.ca
If you are not a current graduate student at SFU, please contact one of the participating Departments or Schools you are interested in joining directly. The graduate program assistant in that Department or School can provide information about their graduate program, including how to apply. Only after you are accepted into a graduate program in one of the participating Departments or Schools can you apply to the TRAIN graduate specialization.
For additional questions regarding the specialization, please contact us at: train@sfu.ca.