MS in Neuroscience

Alfredo Fontanini
Department Chair

Mary Kritzer
Program Director

The Neuroscience MS program prepares students to conduct, analyze and communicate Neuroscience research. Students will be exposed to advanced neuroscience research techniques, approaches and theory culminating with the MS degree. Core concepts and skills are taught through a series of required core courses, with the remaining coursework consisting of advanced electives and special topics courses selected in consultation with the student's advisors. A total of at least 30 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater are required for the MS degree. Of this, at least 8 credits must be earned in core courses in cellular, molecular and systems neuroscience. Students must also complete 4 credits in seminar courses designed to enhance reading, writing and presentation skills.

Research skills are at the center of the program and all students are required to complete a minimum of 10 credits of research related courses comprised of Introduction to Neuroscience Research, Neuroscience Research Practicum, and Neuroscience Thesis work. Additional electives round out the remaining credit requirements. A research thesis is required at the culmination of the program.

Flexibility exists to suit individual student needs and career ambitions. Courses begin in July. This enables students to rapidly initiate thesis research. Students with strong backgrounds and advanced research skills can potentially complete the program in 14-18 months. Part-time options are available, although it is expected that all students will complete the degree within a three-year period.

Your primary advisor for the first year will be the Director of the Program. The Director will meet with you prior to the initial registration for the purposes of planning specific course requirements and helping you decide in which laboratory to complete your research practicum. The Director will meet with you during each semester to monitor your progress and plan the remaining curriculum.

There are over 50 training faculty involved in the Masters' program that together offer a broad choice of advisors and research topics from which to choose. About half have primary appointments in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior. Others have primary appointments in university departments of Biochemistry, Medicine, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Psychology, Psychiatry and others or in off-campus departments at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. Broadly, faculty research interests include Biophysics and Cellular Neurobiology, Molecular Neurobiology, Integrative and Behavioral Neurobiology, and Computational/Theoretical Neuroscience.

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Read How To Apply, then
Apply Online at Graduate Admissions!

Summer admissions application review begins January 15 and continues on a rolling basis until March 1st for international student applicants and April 15th for domestic student applicants. Late applications may be considered after that time, space permitting. Incoming students begin in summer term, with courses starting in July. Applicants do not need to send their official transcripts until they are offered admission into the program. GRE scores not required for Masters program but may be considered to bolster an application.

Students may also be considered for spring admission.  The application deadline is October 1st.