Curriculum for Master of Science (MS) in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience

The Master’s Degree in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience is designed to prepare students to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience. Students in the program attend full time and are required to pursue a research project beginning in their first year. This degree originally was funded as a partnership with Drexel University and we still have a working relationship with them for those students interested in exploring research / course opportunities; however, all courses are now at DSU. A thesis, based on individual laboratory research related to neuroscience, is required.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience

Core Courses (required for all students pursuing MS degrees):

Course #           Course name                                                            Graduate Credit Hours

BIOL-503                    Introduction to Neuroscience                                          3

BIOL-610                    Functional Neuroanatomy                                              3

BIOL-612                    Neurochemistry                                                            3

BIOL-622                    The Physiology of Excitable Cells                                  3

Other course requirements

BIOL-521                    Molecular Biology                                                         3

BIOL-505                    Experimental Design and Biostatistics                             3

BIOL-535                    Current Techniques in Biology                                        3

BIOL-590/591             Professional Development Workshop I & II                       3

BIOL 604                    Scientific Integrity                                                         1

BIOL-690/691             Thesis Research I and II                                                 6

Total credit hours for graduation: 33 (27 course credits + 6 research credits)

Open Neuroscience Elective (see below)

Open Neuroscience Electives:

BIOL-520 Cell Biology

BIOL-511 Pharmacology

BIOL-515 Behavior

CHEM-521 Biochemistry

BIOL-600 Molecular Endocrinology

BIOL-605 Cell Morphogenesis

BIOL-625 Immunology

BIOL-650 Biological Mechanisms

BIOL-651 Proteins: Structure and Function

BIOL-653 Nervous System Disorders

or, any other graduate level ‘biological’ courses approved by the student’s Research

Advisor and Department Chair