Neuroscience & Behavior Master's Degree Requirements

Program | Faculty | Master's | Doctoral

The Master of Science Program

The Neuroscience and Behavior Program offers a fast-track Master's degree available only to University of Massachusetts Amherst students who are enrolled in either the Biology/Neurobiology or Psychology/Neuroscience concentration. In order to be eligible for this particular Master's degree program, all students must identify an NSB faculty sponsor by their junior year and become actively engaged in research leading to a well-defined project under the supervision of the sponsor by the first semester of the senior year.

Students may apply for graduate admission to the NSB Master's Program in their senior year and must be in compliance with Graduate School regulations and requirements. At the beginning of graduate study the student selects a thesis committee consisting of an adviser and two NSB faculty members. Each M.S. graduate student must attend the NSB Proseminar during the fall semester. Required courses include two core courses (one in Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience, the other in Neuroanatomy, Physiology, and Behavior), and two electives (at least one must be at the 600 level or above). In addition, the student must obtain three credit hours in research methodology, (a variety of options are available including statistics courses, methods courses, and research practica). Thirty credit hours are required for the NSB Master's degree. It is anticipated that qualified students should be able to complete the entire B.S./M.S. degree track within five years, including two summers. The NSB Program does not provide or guarantee stipend support for students working toward this terminal Master's degree. Career opportunities include biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies, medical school, veterinary school, science journalism, law school (intellectual-property and corporate law), government agencies, and academic research laboratories.