Master's Program
In the Department of Neuroscience our goal is to provide training in neuroscience across a broad range of techniques and disciplines, ranging from the molecular and genetic level to computational. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, our program is a highly collaborative and collegial environment in which to train. As we disseminate knowledge, we contribute to the health and success of our department, our professional programs, our university and the state of Minnesota.
Why a Master's Degree in Neuroscience?
Neuroscience programs are growing across the United States as the interest in clinical careers, basic science research, and biomedical innovation increases. Neuroscience is the gateway discipline to a wide variety of career paths in the health sciences. Housed within the University of Minnesota Medical School, a small cohort of M.S. students will receive rigorous instruction and personalized guidance and support for pursuing admission to health professional programs (such as M.D. or D.D.S.), doctorate-level programs (Ph.D.), and positions in industry/academia.
Important Dates
Fall term start
June 1: Early Decision Deadline
July 1: Final Decision Deadline
MS Program Information
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the Neuroscience Master's program will depend on the following requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree with course work in the biological sciences.
- An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
- International applicants whose native language is not English and have not received a degree from an institution in an English speaking country are required to supply proof of English language proficiency. Here is the Graduate School site for approved methods.
How to Apply
All materials are submitted electronically through the UMN Graduate School application system
You will need to provide:
- A personal statement: Applicant provides a person statement explaining what influences the decision to pursue a Master's degree. How does this program align with career goals?
- A curriculum vitae or resume.
- Two letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic)
- Transcripts - unofficial transcripts can be uploaded; official transcripts will be request by the Graduate Admissions Office upon enrollment. (read more about transcripts from UMN Graduate School)
- Scores for English proficiency for international students. (Read more about information on English proficiency from the UMN Graduate School)
- GRE scores are NOT required.
- Fall start term only.
- Please contact us with any questions about the application process & requirements ([email protected]).
Financing
Graduate School Financing Resources
Regents Scholarship for Employees
Fellowships for prospective students
Graduate Research Fellowship Program (applications due Oct)
Fellowship listing for current students
Graduate School- Fellowship Opportunities for Current Students
Additional Resources
Master’s - Plan A
Student must complete 30 credits of course work to earn a master’s degree. The program is designed such that a full-time student can complete the degree in one calendar year (Fall – Spring – Summer Semesters).
Thesis Project
Students who select this option will write a thesis comprising work clearly contextualized within the body of existing material relevant to the student’s subject matter. That is, it must indicate an engaged awareness with the existing work relevant to the student’s topic. Note that there is a wide variety of what this work may look like across the University. It may involve analysis of pre-existing data sets; it may include collaborative research work done as part of a team in a wet lab; it may be done in conjunction with a faculty member’s ongoing research, and so forth. While the thesis itself must represent the student’s own writing and thought, the process of doing the research for the thesis need not be done in isolation.
- NSC 8777: Master’s Thesis Credits (10 credits)
Minimum of 20 graduate-level course credits
Required to take at least 2 of the following courses:
- NSC 5461: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 5561: Systems Neuroscience with Neuroanatomy Lab (4 credits)
- NSC 5661: Behavioral Neuroscience (2 credits)
- NSC 8211: Developmental Neurobiology (3 credits)
Required to take at least 1 of the following courses:
- NSCI 5551: Mathematical Tools for Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 8111: Quantitative Neuroscience (3 credits)
Electives to fill remaining course credits:
- NSCI 4201: Neuroscience of Drug Abuse (3 credits)
- NSCI 5101: Neurobiology I: Molecules, Cells, and Systems (3 credits)
- NSC 5462: Neuroscience Principles of Drug Abuse (2 credits)
- NSCI 5501: Neurodegenerative Diseases, Mechanisms to Therapies (3 credits)
- NSCI 5505: Mind and Brain (4 credits)
- NSC 8221: Neurobiology of Pain and Analgesia (3 credits)
- NSC 8411: Teaching in Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 8481: Advanced Neuropharmaceutics (4 credits)
- Other courses with permission of the DGS.
Master’s - Plan B
Student must complete 30 credits of course work to earn a master’s degree. The program is designed such that a full-time student can complete the degree in one calendar year (Fall – Spring – Summer Semesters).
Independent Research Project
Complete a research proposal in the form of an NIH NRSA F31/F30. The proposal should be aligned with a proposed research project. The proposal is an exercise in analytical thinking and problem-solving skills that will be tested in an oral examination. The research proposal describes experiments that will test a hypothesis. The hypothesis answers a question that is posed about the nervous system.
The written proposal must include the following sections of an F31/F30 NRSA fellowship application: Applicant’s Background and Goals for Fellowship Training, Specific Aims, Research Strategy, Bibliography and References.
- NSC 8555: Master’s Plan B Project (10 credits)
Minimum of 20 graduate-level course credits
Required to take at least 2 of the following courses:
- NSC 5461: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 5561: Systems Neuroscience with Neuroanatomy Lab (4 credits)
- NSC 5661: Behavioral Neuroscience (2 credits)
- NSC 8211: Developmental Neurobiology (3 credits)
Required to take at least 1 of the following courses:
- NSCI 5551: Mathematical Tools for Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 8111: Quantitative Neuroscience (3 credits)
Electives to fill remaining course credits:
- NSCI 4201: Neuroscience of Drug Abuse (3 credits)
- NSCI 5101: Neurobiology I: Molecules, Cells, and Systems (3 credits)
- NSC 5462: Neuroscience Principles of Drug Abuse (2 credits)
- NSCI 5501: Neurodegenerative Diseases, Mechanisms to Therapies (3 credits)
- NSCI 5505: Mind and Brain (4 credits)
- NSC 8221: Neurobiology of Pain and Analgesia (3 credits)
- NSC 8411: Teaching in Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 8481: Advanced Neuropharmaceutics (4 credits)
- Other courses with permission of the DGS.
Master’s - Plan C
Student must complete 30 credits of course work to earn a master’s degree. The program is designed such that a full-time student can complete the degree in one calendar year (Fall – Spring – Summer Semesters).
Required to take at least 2 of the following courses:
- NSC 5461: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 5561: Systems Neuroscience with Neuroanatomy Lab (4 credits)
- NSC 5661: Behavioral Neuroscience (2 credits)
- NSC 8211: Developmental Neurobiology (3 credits)
Required to take at least 1 of the following courses:
- NSCI 5551: Mathematical Tools for Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 8111: Quantitative Neuroscience (3 credits)
Electives to fill remaining course credits:
- NSCI 4201: Neuroscience of Drug Abuse (3 credits)
- NSCI 5101: Neurobiology I: Molecules, Cells, and Systems (3 credits)
- NSC 5462: Neuroscience Principles of Drug Abuse (2 credits)
- NSCI 5501: Neurodegenerative Diseases, Mechanisms to Therapies (3 credits)
- NSCI 5505: Mind and Brain (4 credits)
- NSC 8221: Neurobiology of Pain and Analgesia (3 credits)
- NSC 8411: Teaching in Neuroscience (3 credits)
- NSC 8481: Advanced Neuropharmaceutics (4 credits)
- Other courses with permission of the DGS.
Program Documents
Department Administrator
[email protected]
Graduate Program Coordinator
[email protected]