College of Sciences and Humanities
School of Biomedical Sciences
www.kent.edu/biomedical

About This Program

You’ll push the boundaries of brain science as you design and lead original research exploring the structure and function of the nervous system. Through intensive lab work, interdisciplinary collaboration and access to major research partners, you’ll develop the expertise to make groundbreaking discoveries and shape the future of neuroscience in academia, industry or clinical research. Read more...

Contact Information

• John Johnson | BMS@kent.edu | 330-672-3849

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Sufficient academic background to complete graduate coursework in neuroscience (strong background in cell biology is recommended)
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Goal statement indicating the applicant's interests in neuroscience, their research experience and career aspirations
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: November 15

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Upon completion of course requirements and candidacy exam, doctoral students must register for BMS 80199 for two semesters for a total of 30 credit hours. Thereafter, it is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for BMS 80299 each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met. After completion of the candidacy examination, the dissertation committee will be established, consisting of the guidance committee and an outside member. Students will submit their prospectus for the dissertation to this committee. The format of the prospectus will parallel that utilized for NIH grant proposals (without biographical, budget and facilities information). The dissertation committee makes recommendations for reformulation until the proposal is acceptable or may reject it with specific reasons.

Graduation Requirements

• Post-baccalaureate students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours prior to enrolling in BMS 80199. Minimum 15 of the 60 credit hours must be letter-graded courses.
• Post-master's students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours prior to enrolling in BMS 80199.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.
2. Demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate students.
3. Seek employment in fields that reflect their area of training.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences–Neurosciences is offered in consortium with the Cleveland Clinic and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). The program allows students to complete research projects under the guidance of a neuroscience faculty member at Kent State and faculty at the other two institutions.

Students complete a common set of core courses that cover fundamental principles in neuroscience, from the cellular/molecular to the systems level. Students also complete elective courses tailored to their chosen subdiscipline. Areas of research focus on the neurosciences include behavioral neuroscience, sensory neuroscience, developmental neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases.