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Life Sciences:
Neuroscience >
Program:
Neuroscience
MS

Neuroscience

Application Deadline

  • Fall: Jan 15

    • Contact Information

    192S ESC
    801-422-1218
    neuroscience@byu.edu
    Website
    Request Information
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    Admission Requirements
    Tests

    GRE, MCAT, or DAT are not required but may be submitted if desired.

    Course Prerequisites

    In addition to general graduate requirements, applicants should fulfill the following requirements:
    • Applicants should have a strong background in neuroscience. This should include 1) at least one advanced course completed in Behavioral Neuroscience AND 2) at least one advanced course completed in Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience. Students who do not fulfill either or both of these requirements may be conditionally accepted into the program, on condition that they take the course(s) they are missing (NEURO 460 and/or 480, respectively) during their first semester and pass each course with a grade of 3.0 or higher.
    • Applicants should also have a solid foundation in the basic sciences, with university-level credit in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and Biology/Physiology.
    • Applicants’ undergraduate GPA should be 3.0 or greater. Applicants with a lower GPA must submit a petition.

    Additional Requirements
    • Resume
    • Transcripts
    • Three Letters of Recommendation: at least two from academic mentors/faculty/research advisors.
    • Letter of Intent: Document summarizing your background, career goals, research experience, interest level, likely fit, and desire to conduct graduate research with at least three specific faculty members in the program.
    Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact individual faculty members whose research is aligned with the prospective student's long-term goals. This allows the faculty member to advocate on behalf of the applicant during the acceptance process. Students will work directly with faculty mentors throughout their graduate programs. Faculty contact information can be found here.
    Program Requirements
    The purpose of the MS degree in Neuroscience is to gain a sound understanding of current concepts. Through their thesis research project, students learn the fundamentals of scientific inquiry and state-of-the-art research techniques. Submission of the thesis to a peer-reviewed journal is encouraged but not required.

    Requirements for Degree
    • Credit hours (30): minimum 24 approved course work hours plus 6 thesis hours (Neuro 699R).
    Required Courses:
    • Bio 503 Research Orientation 1.0 
    • Cell 570 Responsible Research Conduct 1.0
    • Neuro 601 Cellular Neuroscience 3.0 
    • Neuro 602 Behavioral Neurobiology 3.0
    • Neuro 694R Research Presentation 1.5 (0.5 credits for 3 semesters)
    • Neuro 696R Neuroscience Graduate Seminar 1.5 (0.5 credits for 3 semesters)
    • Neuro 699R Masters Thesis 6.0
    • Stat 511 Statistical Methods for Research 1 or equivalent 3.0
    • A seminar must be presented each year (Neuro 694R)
    • Electives 8.0
    • Thesis: American Psychological Association format or journal publication format.
    • Examinations: (A) course work oral examination; (B) oral defense of thesis.
    Program Outcomes
    Knowledge of Neuroscience Concepts
    Be able to demonstrate a comprehensive familiarity in their area of specialization as well as foundational theories, concepts, and practices of the field.

    Professional Development
    Develop professionally through research or teaching assistantships and presentations of their research (Neuro 694R).

    Scientific Method and Research
    Add new knowledge to their field through generating hypotheses, designing and conducting experimental procedures, analyzing the collected data, determining how the new knowledge fits in with current understanding, and disseminating their findings to the broader scientific community.

    Effective Communication
    Develop oral and written skills sufficient to present and publish their research in peer-reviewed venues. Publication of research in peer reviewed journals is strongly encouraged.
    Program Stats
    Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
    Total Students 11.0
    Male 6.0
    Female 5.0
    LDS 11.0
    BYU Undergraduate 4.0
    Five Year Average of Graduated Students
    Average Years to Degree 1.89
    Graduated Per Year 18.2
    GMAT Quantitative Percentile 67.5
    Five Year Average of Admitted Students
    Applied Per Year 4.6
    Admitted Per Year 3.0
    Percent Admitted 65.22
    Average GPA 3.58
    Courses and Faculty

    Department Courses Department Faculty