Quantitative analysis of the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program at The Ohio State University:

A follow-up on the Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate

R. E. White, M. R. Detloff, E. L. Hoschouer, P. G. Popovich, D. M. McTigue, R. J. Nelson
Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210

Abstract NGSP Students Then & Now Continued Use of CID Initiatives to develop stewards of neuroscience
The Ohio State University (OSU) was one of 15 programs involved in evaluating the status Primary Appointment Research Area
of neuroscience graduate education in association with the Carnegie Initiative on the 35
2004
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2004 I. CORE CURRICULUM III. OUTREACH & SERVICE

Number of Students

Number of Students
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Doctorate (CID) in 2004. This initiative was an extensive self-evaluation process that used 2008
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2008

spatial representations to examine the scope and content of neuroscience at OSU and to
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Required Coursework Elective Coursework Departmental University
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compare our program to others in the CID and across the country. This analysis 15
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Neuroanatomy  Computational Neuroscience Representative on NGSP Committee Council of Graduate Students
3
generated maps and graphs that summarized data collected on areas of research training 10 2
of faculty and students, publication patterns, sources of funding, and departmental 5 Neurophysiology  Developmental Neurobiology Recruitment Planning Committee University Senate
1

distribution. As a follow-up study on this initiative, the progression and evolution of our 0 0
Neuropharmacology  Survey of Behavioral Neuroscience
graduate program during the past three years have been examined. To represent these

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I, II, and III Neurobiology of Disease

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Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience Community

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changes, current data will be compared to data collected in 2004 and presented in graphic

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 Principles of Neuroimmunology

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form. To further characterize the efficacy and spectrum of the program, additional

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Behavioral Neuroscience Neuroscience Education for Urban and Rural Outreach

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parameters, including career distribution of recent graduates, student presentations at

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 Molecular Genetics: Regulation of

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national and international meetings, diversity of students and faculty, and student There are currently 31 NGSP students, compared to 18 in 2004. Research Ethics Brain Awareness Week
Gene Expression, DNA transactions
involvement in community outreach will be added to those already in place. This will State of Ohio Science Fair
allow us to further explore our program’s ability to mold neuroscientists with a wide Undergraduate Major Area of Origin  Pharmacology of Drug Receptor
breadth and depth of neuroscience knowledge in preparation for entrance into the 18 Seminar Series Interations
2004
scientific community. 16 15

Number of Students
14 2008 2004 Topic specific student seminar  Cognitive Neuroscience

Number of students
12 2008
10 10 Weekly Deparmental series  Statistics IV. CAREER TRAINING
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Methods
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Quarterly Hunt-Curtis Seminar Teaching Opportunities Presentations
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Preparing Future Faculty Departmental:
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Faculty Development Individual Department

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Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program faculty and student rosters were examined for

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II. LABORATORY TRAINING

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demographic information including: previous undergraduate institution, prior degrees, lS

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Conferences for Great Teaching NGSP Retreat & Symposia

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country/place of origin, research focus, publication record, and funding sources. Core Facilities
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Required Training
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m Mentoring Undergraduate Students Focus Group Presentations

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Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program students enrolled in 2004 and/or 2008 The majority of current NGSP students majored in a biological science topic. Year 1: Quarterly Research Rotation  University Laboratory Animal The Ohio State University University:
completed anonymous surveys to evaluate the breadth and depth of individual student’s Resources
training in his/her research focus. We have several students both from states outside of Ohio and from other countries. Year 2: Candidacy Examination
 Campus Microscopy Imaging Association for the Scholarship of OSU Medical Center
Grant writing exercise Center Research Day
Teaching (TOAST)
2004 2008 Oral defense  Small Animal Imaging Core Integrated Graduate Studies

NGSP Faculty Then & Now

College Teaching Series
Research Day
 Year 3+: Dissertation Research
Johns  Neurobiotechnology Center
Hopkins,
Harvard, Yale, Edward Hayes Research
Written Thesis
Columbia and  Behavioral Core Facility
Primary Faculty Appointment Research Area UCSF. Writing Proposals Forum
Oral Defense Professional Grant Writing Workshop National:
Number of Faculty Members
Number of Faculty Members

70 18
2004 16
2004
60
2008 14 2008 Animal Protocol Writing Workshop Poster Presentations
50 12
40 10
Interdisciplinary Centers Career Connection Invited Lectures
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30
6 Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair
20 4
10 2 Center for Molecular Neurobiology
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V. PLACEMENT OF RECENT GRADUATES
Neurobiotechnology Center
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Placement of Recent Graduates

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Since 2004, the NGSP has successfully

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Model Systems Used By NGSP Students

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graduated 19 students.
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Due to the multifaceted lens of

67 Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program faculty in 2008, up 9% since 2004. 79% of graduates are post doctoral fellows at
neuroscience today, NGSP students use
research one institutions including:
New faculty bring additional expertise in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience as well as multiple model systems to conduct their
the fields of Neurotrauma and Disease research projects including behavioral, Harvard University, Yale University,
Students published a total of 15
anatomical, cellular , molecular and Johns Hopkins University, Columbia
19 faculty have a primary appointment in the Department of Neuroscience, while the publications in the past year. computational neuroscience. University, University of California at San
remaining have primary appointments elsewhere with secondary appointments in
Francisco.
Neuroscience. One student published in the
16% of graduates are now assistant
Proceedings of the National Throughout the course of their graduate professors in neuroscience fields.
Academy of Science and one
2004
experience, NGSP students learn and
2008 student published in the Journal integrate more than 10 research skills to
answer their research questions,
5% of recent graduates are attending medical
school.
of Neuroscience. highlighting the breadth of Neuroscience
research at Ohio State.

Financial Support of Students Conclusions

1. In the past 4 years, the NGSP program has expanded the number of faculty members, 6. NGSP laboratory training includes a defined goal-oriented timeline, several core
First year students are funded (student tuition, stipend and fees) by the Neuroscience Graduate primarily in the molecular and cellular research area. facilities that provide the necessary equipment to perform experiments, interdisciplinary
Studies Program while they focus on course work and laboratory rotations.
centers that encourage interaction between graduate students in different programs and
 The students’ chosen advisor assumes financial responsibility at the end of the first year. Funds 2. The NGSP program continues to have a diverse population of students that span a
departments, and training in multiple model systems and research skills that allow
originate from the National Institute of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF) or from variety of different research areas.
university start-up funds. students to answer important research questions.
3. Both faculty members and graduate students publish in a variety of journals, including
Select students received fellowships from the University to support their graduate schooling: 7. The NGSP program provides outlets for neuroscience outreach and community
In 2008, faculty members had a total high-profile and subject-specific publications.
of 169 publications. The Ohio State University First Year Fellowship Award service.
33% of 2008 1st year students 4. Faculty members provide adequate funding for their students, primarily from the NIH
Of those publications, 6 were in 8. Both the NGSP program and the OSU graduate school aim to train graduate student
and other national organizations. In addition, several students are successful in receiving
Proceedings of the National Academy The Ohio State University Presidential Fellowship Award for future careers by providing training in teaching, grant writing, and professional
of Science (IF = 9.598), 5 were in the
their own funding.
OSU Alumni Grant for Research and Scholarship presentation.
Journal of Neuroscience (IF = 7.490) 5. The core curriculum of the NGSP program includes courses relevant to modern
and 2 were in Federation of American Additional support was acquired from other national sources, including: 9. Recent NGSP graduates hold both teaching and research-oriented post-doctoral
neuroscience, electives that provide in-depth information on specific subjects, and
Societies for Experimental Biology (IF = National Institute of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein Service Award (NRSA) positions.
6.791). seminars.
American Heart Association Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
Travel Awards to Attend National Meetings (n=8 in 2007-8)
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank Keri Bantz, Greg Butcher, Leah Pyter, Mike Beattie, and Jacqueline Bresnahan.