PhD in Rehab Science Curriculum

Registering for Courses

To maintain full-time status, you must enroll in a minimum of 8 units each quarter, except summers (while you won't formally register for classes in the summer, you are are expected to continue performing research in your chosen lab during the summer months). The Office of Graduate Education and Post-Graduate Affairs (GEPA) requires a total of six quarters in residence for the PhD degree. In addition, a student must register for a minimum of three quarters after advancement to candidacy. PhD in Rehabilitation Science students must complete no fewer than 55 units to graduate. Per the UCSF Office of the Registrar, the deadline for study list filing is the end of the 2nd week of instruction. Most labs have around three weeks of vacation time, but please discuss and obtain approval from your PI prior to making any plans. 

First-Year Required Courses

The first year includes core courses in rehabilitation science, statistics, research ethics, basic sciences, and 6-week lab rotations. In lab rotations, you'll participate in active research teams and receive feedback on your participation and learning. These rotations are designed to enable you to experience research in three different labs and determine where your research goals fit best for your continued research and dissertation.

  • Option 1: One rotation each quarter of the first year (fall, winter, spring) - choose your lab after the spring quarter
  • Option 2: One rotation in fall and two back-to-back rotations in winter - choose your lab after the winter quarter
  • Option 3: One rotation each in the fall and winter quarters, then continue research in the lab you've chosen after the winter quarter - later in your program, you'll rotate through a third lab of interest as a collaborative research partner

At the start of each rotation, you and the lab's PI will set a plan and expectations. After the rotation, you are expected to discuss your experience, including the feedback you received, with your Graduate Advisor. This feedback will also be shared with the Qualifying Exam Committee Chair.

Dissemination of new knowledge is a key part of a PhD degree, so in the first or second year, we also require you to participate in Application of Principles of Learning (your Grad Advisor can help you identify opportunities; minimum expectation is some exposure to course management/delivery; if done in summer, register for this in fall for credit)

Fall - Year 1

  1. REHAB SCI 200A - Laboratory Rotation I (3 units)
  2. REHAB SCI 201 - Introduction to Rehabilitation Science (2 units)
  3. REHAB SCI 203 - Doctoral Colloquium (1 unit)
  4. GRAD 202 - Racism in Science (3 units)
  5. GRAD 214 - Responsible Conduct of Research and Rigor & Reproducibility (select 0 units)
  6. First statistics course: BIOSTAT 200 - Biostatistical Methods in Clinical Research I (3 units); application required (links to external site)
  7. Neuroscience track: NEUROSCI 201A - Basic Concepts in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (5 units)

Winter - Year 1

  1. REHAB SCI 200B - Laboratory Rotation II (winter, 3 units)
  2. GRAD 214 - Responsible Conduct of Research and Rigor & Reproducibility (select 0 units)
  3. Second statistics course appropriate to your research goals (examples: BIOSTAT 208, DATASCI 216, DATASCI 224); application required
  4. Biomechanics track: BIOENGR 221 - Tissue Mechanobiology (2.5-3 units)
  5. Neuroscience track: NEUROSCI 201B - Basic Concepts for Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience (4 units)

Spring - Year 1

  1. REHAB SCI 200C - Laboratory Rotation III (3 units)
  2. REHAB SCI 202 - Gross and Regional Anatomy (1 unit)
  3. GRAD 214 - Responsible Conduct of Research and Rigor & Reproducibility (select 1.5 units)
  4. Biomechanics track: REHAB SCI 205 - Biomechanics of Human Motion (2 units)

Summer - Year 1

  1. No need to formally register for courses; expectation is to continue research in your chosen lab
  2. Neuroscience track: audit ANATOMY 207 - Neuroscience (summer course - audit)

Years 2-5

Second-year focus: specific area of research in either track. With the assistance of your Graduate Committee, you will be expected to choose a research emphasis and your primary research mentor. The goal of the second year is to finalize your dissertation focus and obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully execute the dissertation. Coursework during this time includes the required research course (REHAB SCI 250, 0.5-8 units) each quarter, as well as electives. It is expected that you will have at least 20 hours per week for research experiences, including pilot studies for your dissertation proposal as appropriate. You should also have completed a publishable literature review by the end of the second year.

Year 2 Courses

1.    REHAB SCI 250 - Research (0.5-8 units)
2.    Electives (as guided by your graduate committee)

Years 3-5 Courses

You'll continue your research and register for REHAB SCI 250 - Research (8 units) each quarter, in addition to any electives that would be helpful.

Elective Opportunities

Your Grad Advisor or Committee can guide you in selecting electives. Possibilities include but are not limited to: