Students matriculate in the PhD program without a formal commitment to a particular training area, unless interested in the neuroscience program. While students affiliate closely with a group of researchers in an initial area of interest, they are encouraged to consider new combinations or interests during the first year. Students pursue a series of rotations through diverse research laboratories before formally choosing a PhD research mentor and one of seven multidisciplinary training areas by the end of the second semester. See detailed chapter on MTAs here.