Students entering the Neuroscience Program
at Brandeis have opportunities to work in a range of fields,
from cognitive neuroscience to the structure and function
of ion channels. Brandeis University is an exciting place
for Neuroscience research and study because we have an
outstanding and highly interactive research community.
The Neuroscience laboratories are housed within the Volen
Center and adjoining buildings, and this close proximity
facilitates the high degree of collaboration and exchange
for which Brandeis has become famous. There are presently
21 Neuroscience faculty found in four participating departments
(Biology, Biochemistry, Psychology, and Chemistry). There
are today approximately 40 Neuroscience Program Ph.D.
students, who often work side-by-side with Ph.D. students
in the other Life Sciences graduate programs at Brandeis.
The undergraduate concentration in neuroscience is designed
to provide an interdisciplinary program of study of the
neural mechanisms involved in the control of human or animal
behavior. The concentration combines a strong foundation
in basic science with more specialized courses in biology
and psychology. This program is especially appropriate for
students wishing to pursue further study in medicine, experimental
psychology, or neuroscience.
The Combined B.S./M.S. Program
Candidates for honors in neuroscience may be admitted to
a special four-year B.S./M.S. program upon recommendation
of the Neuroscience Program and approval by the Graduate
School. Application must be made by May 1 preceding the
senior year. Applications should include a proposed course
of study specifying how the degree requirements will be
met, a transcript, and a brief description of the proposed
research project. To qualify for the B.S./M.S. degree in
neuroscience students must complete a total of 38 courses.
These courses must include those needed to satisfy the requirements
for the B.S. degree, as indicated above, plus three additional
electives chosen from the neuroscience electives listed
above. Of the 10 electives required for the B.S./M.S. degree,
at least six must be at the graduate level (and completed
with a grade of B- or above). In addition, a substantial
research contribution is required and students must submit
a research thesis to the neuroscience graduate committee
for review. A thesis submitted for the master's degree may
also be submitted for honors in neuroscience.
