Course Syllabus

Neurology: comprises the application of knowledge for the best diagnosis of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Several clinical and laboratory approaches are used to identify the etiology of diseases such as cell and molecular biology approaches in human tissue samples; structural and functional neuroimaging tests; clinical electrophysiology to evaluate spontaneously and provoked bioelectric activity in the study of central and peripheral nervous systems (electromyography, the study of evoked potentials, polysomnography, intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring, etc.). The therapeutic approaches for the best treatment of diseases (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) are also studied.

Neurosciences: includes several laboratory techniques to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of neurological diseases. Therefore, animal models for neurological diseases and human tissue samples are commonly employed. Various approaches are used such as cell and molecular biology techniques in human and animal tissues of experimentation; electrophysiology (local field potential; single–unit recordings; optogenetic approaches; light fluorescence and electron microscopy; pharmacological studies; etc.).

Students from both areas of concentration are encouraged to attend clinical-experimental disciplines and collaborate in projects with a translational profile because there is a correspondence in methodological approaches, which is crucial in studies with this profile. The integration between clinical professionals and those with laboratory experience provides a suitable environment for the complete training of the researcher.

The program relies on a set of 45 disciplines, organized in compulsory (comprehensive) and general, which focus on the basic aspects for the training of students.

Students of the Master’s Program must complete – among the 24 credits in disciplines – a minimum of 8 (eight) mandatory credits in RNP5755 and RNP5771.

The students of the Doctoral or direct doctorate Programs must integrate – among the 24 credits in disciplines – a minimum of 12 (twelve) mandatory credits in RNP5755, RNP5771, and RNP5772.

Students who attended RNP5755 andRNP5771 in the master’s degree are exempt from studying them in the doctorate.

The Research in Neurosciences II (RNP5772) was created to train students in teaching activities and presentation of the progress of their research projects.

The master’s student shall complete 96 (ninety-six) credit units, being 24 (twenty-four) in disciplines and 72 (seventy-two) in the dissertation.

The doctoral student, holder of a Master’s degree from USP or recognized by it, shall integrate 172 (one hundred and seventy-two) credit units, being 24 (twenty-four) in disciplines and 148 (one hundred and forty-eight) in the thesis.

The doctoral student, without the master’s degree, must integrate 192 (one hundred and ninety-two) credit units, being 44 (forty-four) in disciplines and 148 (one hundred and forty-eight) in the thesis.

A maximum of 10 (ten) credits may be granted – as special credits – for the master’s and doctoral courses, and 16 (sixteen) for the direct doctoral course, provided that the activities are carried out and proven in the period in which the student is regularly enrolled in the course, as follows:

 up to 4(four) credits: complete work published in a national or international Journal that with a recognized editorial board, or book chapter of recognized merit in the area of knowledge. The student shall be the first author and have a relationship with the project of their dissertation or thesis; patent filing can assign up to 04 (four) special credits.

 1 (one) credit: publication of chapter in technological manual recognized by national and international official bodies;

 maximum 2 (two) credits: attendance in conferences, workshops, symposia, or other scientific meeting presenting complete work published (printed or digital form) in Annals (or similar) and that the student is the first author. The number of credits granted is 1 (one) per event, being assigned a maximum 2 (two) credits for this type of participation to a student;

 up to 2 (two) credits: follow-up of care activities for one semester in an outpatient clinic, surgical center, or clinical laboratories under the supervision of the advisor (90% presence), being considered the presence only after enrollment in the course;

 2 (two) credits: participation in the Educational Improvement Program (PAE);

 maximum 2 (two) credits: internships carried out in national or international institutions, provided that in accordance with the research project.

The qualifying exam is required for the Ph.D. student and direct Ph.D. student to assess their ability to develop a thesis project independently and within their research area.

For the annual evaluation of academic and scientific performance, the student shall submit the annual report of activities for the evaluation of the Coordinating Committee, with the advisor approval. This report shall contain a summary of the research project, a description of the activities carried out, and the fulfillment of the planned goals and re-planning of future activities.