University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.
Neuroscience, M.S.
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 Return to: Programs in the College of Science
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program, drawing on faculty and courses from many campus units including the Colleges of Liberal Arts, Science, and Engineering, and the School of Medicine. Study programs lead to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The M.S. program provides training in the core foundations of neuroscience, ranging from cellular mechanisms to cognition and behavior. Graduate assistantships for the program are available on a competitive basis. Contact the program office for more information.
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Contact Information
Michael Webster, Professor of Psychology, Co-Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program
(775) 682-8691
mwebster@unr.edu
Dennis Mathew, Associate Professor of Psychology, Co-Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program
(775) 784-6052
dennismathew@unr.edu
Psychology Department
Mack Social Science, Room 409
(775) 784-6828
Graduate Handbook *
Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes
The program is designed to provide training in fundamental concepts and methods in modern neuroscience, and emphasize interdisciplinary and integrative approaches which are seen as central to major advances in the field. The program also emphasizes the development of research skills that will position students to be competitive in academic and research-oriented careers. Student learning outcomes include: - comprehensive understanding and ability to critically evaluate current knowledge and theories in neuroscience;
- research skills to effectively identify, design and carry out independent research;
- professional development including communication and teaching, grant-writing, and ethics.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Neuroscience program must meet all requirements of the Graduate School, including the GPA, GRE, and TOEFL entrance requirements of the Graduate School. Course preparation for the program will be determined on an individual basis. However, all students will be expected to have a basic background in science including a minimum of 3 semester credits each in calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology. Students lacking in this background may be admitted with the provision that appropriate remedial coursework is completed. I. Program Requirements
Students in the Neuroscience, M.S. program will complete 2 semesters of thesis research during their second year. In the first year, they have the option of earning elective credits for additional research in their first year, or substituting these credits with elective courses. Before the third semester in the program , each student must select a research/thesis advisor in consultation with the program director and the desired faculty member, who must be an affiliate member of the program. The advisor will serve as chair of the student’s advisory/examination committee. Academic requirements as determined by the Graduate School and the Program must be met by all program students. Required and elective courses must be chosen from the program curriculum outlined below, and the plan of study requires approval of the student’s advisor/examination committee and the program director. M.S. students must complete a thesis based on an independent research project. The thesis must be defended orally before their examining committee. A. Plan A (Thesis)
The student must complete an independent research project and a written thesis suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Prior to formally choosing a date for the final oral examination, graduate students must submit a copy of their final thesis for review by their examining committee. The thesis does not need to be in its final form, e.g., thoroughly referenced, perfect grammar, etc. Still, it must contain sufficient information to allow their committee to decide about the state of completion of their studies. The purpose of the review is to discern whether a student has sufficiently completed their studies to announce a date for their final examination. After acceptance of the thesis (see Doctoral section for nature of thesis) by the advisory/examination committee, all MS candidates will schedule and present a research seminar on their thesis research which will be open to the public. This seminar will constitute part of the final examination and must be presented while the candidate is still in residence. Following the public portion of this seminar, the advisory/examination committee, expanded to include all appointed Graduate School representatives, will conduct a final oral examination in closed session, which will be conducted to meet all relevant examination requirements of the Graduate School. A minimum of 30 graduate credits must be completed with an average grade of B or better. These credits include 15 credits of Neuroscience Core courses, 6 units of elective courses, and 9 units of additional course requirements. At least 6 credits of Thesis research are included in the Core course requirements. Course selection will be determined in consultation with the Faculty Advisor and Advisory Committee. B. Plan B (Non-Thesis)
In rare cases where the student’s advisor and committee deem the student cannot complete a research project for their thesis, the student may be allowed to complete a non-thesis MS degree at the discretion of the program. The faculty advisor must approve this option for the degree as well as the program directors. Under this option, the student will take additional course work in lieu of the thesis credits and prepare and defend a substantive critical review of the literature on a relevant topic in neuroscience. The specific topic and format of the review should be developed with and approved by the faculty advisor and committee. Award of the degree will be contingent on approval of the review by the committee. A minimum of 30 graduate credits must be completed with an average grade of B or better. These credits include 15 credits of Neuroscience Core courses, 6 units of elective courses, and 9 units of additional course requirements. At least 6 credits of Independent study/special topic courses/Graduate Research are included in the Core course requirements. For e.g. PSY 752 (Graduate Research), PSY 755 (Independent reading) BIO 691 (Independent Study), BIO 792 (Special Problems). Course selection will be determined in consultation with the Faculty Advisor and Advisory Committee. A research thesis is not required, but a scholarly paper must be prepared. The paper may be in the form of a scholarly review, analysis, and synthesis of a current topic in neuroscience, or may be presented as a grant proposal in a format appropriate to a specific funding agency. Following an oral presentation of a written paper to the student’s Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee will administer an oral examination, which covers both general knowledge of the candidate’s field and a more in-depth analysis of the topic of the candidate’s study. Passing the oral examination is determined by the Advisory Committee and is necessary to complete the degree requirements.
C. Neuroscience Core Courses (15 units)
D. Additional Course Requirements (9 units)
E. Electives (6 units)
Note: all electives cannot be taken from one cluster below. Electives can include but are not limited to: Cognitive Neuroscience (PSY)
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (BIO-CMB)
II. Program Total Hours (30 units)
Undergraduate Prerequisites
Students will be expected to have a basic background in science including a minimum of 3 semester units in each calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology. Students lacking this background may be admitted with the provision that appropriate remedial coursework is completed during the first year of graduate study. |
Return to: Programs in the College of Science
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