Master’s Degree Program
Overview
Neuroscience is the study of the structure and function of the nervous system. The overall objective of the Department of Neuroscience Master’s Degree program is to provide additional laboratory research and academic training to students who have completed an undergraduate major in neuroscience or a closely related scientific area, and wish to extend their studies before moving on to other post-graduate training or professional employment. Areas of concentration include neuroplasticity, synaptic transmission, homeostatic regulatory systems, biological bases of neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive neuroscience, and developmental neuroscience.
Admission requirements
Students are admitted based on evidence of intellectual talent, a strong interest in neuroscience, and a commitment to scholarship and research. The department can accommodate between five and eight new master’s degree students each year. All applicants must be sponsored by a Department of Neuroscience faculty (or affiliated faculty) member before submitting their application. Faculty who are eligible to sponsor a master’s degree student include:
Faculty: Professors Barrionuevo, Colby, Grace, Moghaddam, Sesack, Stricker (University Professor), and Sved; Associate Professors Card, Johnson, Meriney, and Rinaman; Assistant Professor Sommer
Affiliated Faculty: (Adjunct faculty and those with primary appointments in other areas) Professors DeFranco (Pharmacology), Fiez (Psychology), Lewis (Psychiatry), Olson (Adjunct), and Yates (Otolaryngology); Associate Professors Hastings (Neurology), Lee (Adjunct), Urban (Adjunct); Assistant Professors Barth (Adjunct), Gandhi (Otolaryngology), and Stiles (Adjunct).
Decisions regarding admission to our master’s degree program consider the candidate's statement of interest and goals in the field of neuroscience, past research experience, letters of recommendation, test scores, and grades. An outstanding record in one of these areas may compensate for poorer performance in another area. In general, successful applicants have a BS degree in neuroscience, biology, chemistry, or psychology with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale), and a cumulative Graduate Record Examination score of at least 1200 (verbal and quantitative) and a 4.5 in analytical writing. After an initial screening, applicants may be evaluated by a personal interview. Students are admitted on the assumption that they will be able to meet all requirements for the MS degree. The MS degree is not a prerequisite for doctoral training in neuroscience through the CNUP, nor does it guarantee admission to our doctoral training program.
Department Chair: Alan Sved, PhD
Director of Graduate Studies: Linda Rinaman, PhD