1. How long does it take to get a Master's degree?
The program is meant to be finished in one year. In exceptional
cases, we have allowed students to do the program over
two years, but this is decided on a case-by-case basis.
The minimum residency requirement is one year.
2. What are the course requirements for a Master's degree
in MCB?
Students are required to take six graduate level courses,
usually three per semester. Graduate level courses are
defined as having a number equal to or greater than 100
in the Brandeis Catalog.
A total of six graduate-level courses, which must include
BIOL 103b (Mechanisms of Cell Functions), BIOL 105b (Molecular
Biology), and one laboratory or research based course,
with the balance to be agreed upon with the program advisor,
are required for the degree. The laboratory or research
component can be met by BIOL 300 (Biological Research),
BIOL 155 (Project Laboratory in Genetics & Genomics),
BIOL 298 (Readings in Biology) or BIOL 299 (Masters Research
Project) and is typically taken in the spring. All students
are required to take CONT 300b (Ethical Practice in Health-Related
Sciences), usually offered in the spring.
The student must receive grades of B- or better in all
courses and may be terminated at the end of the first
semester if the student's record is unsatisfactory.
3. What are the course requirements for a Master's degree
in Neuroscience?
Graduate students will be eligible for an MS in neuroscience
if they complete six graduate-level courses in neuroscience.
The six courses must include NBIO 140b (Principles of
Neuroscience) and one laboratory or research-based course,
with the balance of courses to be agreed upon with the
neuroscience advising head. A grade of B- or better must
be obtained in each course. The laboratory or research
based course should be chosen from NEUR 298 (Readings
in Neuroscience), NEUR 299 (Masters Research Project),
NEUR 300 (Laboratory Research) or BIOL 155 (Project Laboratory
in Genetics & Genomics) and is typically taken in
the spring. All students are required to take CONT 300b
(Ethical Practice in Health-Related Sciences), usually
offered in the spring.
Residence Requirement The minimum residence requirement
for the MS degree is one year.
4. What are the research requirements?
For MCB, the laboratory or research component can be
met by BIOL 300 (Biological Research), BIOL 155 (Project
Laboratory in Genetics & Genomics), BIOL 298 (Readings
in Neuroscience) or BIOL 299 (Masters Research Project)
and is typically taken in the spring. For Neuroscience,
the laboratory or research based course should be chosen
from NEUR 298 (Readings in Neuroscience), NEUR 299 (Masters
Research Project), NEUR 300 (Laboratory Rotation) or BIOL
155 (Project Laboratory in Genetics & Genomics) and
is typically taken in the spring.
5. Is there financial aid?
The Biology Department does not provide stipends or financial
aid. Financial aid may be available through the graduate
school. For information contact: Graduate School of Arts
and Sciences at (781) 736-3410.
6. How do I choose a research lab?
At the beginning of the fall semester, the Life Sciences
programs hold the "Faculty Bazaar", a three night series
of short research presentations (with dinner) designed
to get you acquainted with research opportunities at Brandeis.
Faculty are available by appointment at the end of that
week, and students who are interested in a particular
lab should discuss rotations with faculty during that
window. At the end of the week, the first rotation labs
are assigned by the graduate committees based on the requests
that you submit. Subsequent rotations are not assigned,
but are arranged between you and the lab head.
Students who wish to carry out a one year Master's thesis
in place of the four rotations negotiate these arrangements
themselves with their lab of interest.
Students who wish to complete a library research paper
should talk to the faculty advisor.
7. How do I apply?
Apply online at the Brandeis University website.
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