The Program: Year 1 

Social Science Track: During their first year, students in this track take the core social science course sequence. Upon completion of the first year and successful completion of preliminary exams, students enter BMS year 1. 

CNS Track: Students enter BMS in the first quarter of their first year.

BMS Year 1

Students take the following course sequence during BMS year 1:

Fall:

Bio/CNS 150 – Neurobiology (10 units);

CNS/Bi/Ph/CS 187 – Neural Computation (9 units);

SS 222a – Econometrics (Statistics) (9 units);

Pizza course – Introduction to BMS  (1 unit)

Winter:

CNS/SS/Psy/Bi *** -- Brains, Minds, and Society I (9 units);

SS/CNS/Psy/Bi *** -- Experimental Design (9 units);

SS/CNS/Psy *** – BMS Journal Club

Spring:

CNS/SS/Psy/Bi *** -- Brains, Minds, and Society II (9 units);

SS/CNS/Psy/Bi *** -- Ethics on Research (9 units);

SS/CNS/Psy *** – BMS Journal Club

Lab Rotations:

In addition to coursework, during the first year students will spend each quarter in a BMS lab engaging in a research project. During each rotation, the student is expected to take part in the life and routine of the lab by attending lab meetings, participating in research projects and discussions with members of the lab, and meeting monthly with the faculty of that lab to discuss science. These rotations are intended to familiarize BMS students with multiple research methods, to expose them to the diverse research within BMS, and to build professional and social contacts with other students and faculty.

By the end of their first year:

Students make arrangements to join a specific lab to begin work on their PhD research and thesis. Although students usually prefer to join a lab that they have rotated in, this is not required.

Students will take the CNS general knowledge exam (see the CNS website for more details)