Program Purpose

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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.

Curricular Structure

Graduate Catalog

Program Details

Learning Outcomes

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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.

Evidence of Learning

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Student progress is evaluated regularly by the student's graduate committee. Competency in the discipline is evaluated by performance on coursework and oral presentations in courses. Research competency is evaluated by a final Defense of Thesis. Placement into Ph.D. programs, professional schools, or employment is tracked by the department Graduate Committee. Publication of student theses is reported yearly as part of the annual faculty report.

Direct Measures

1. Performance on written/oral prospectus of research (Learning Outcomes 1-3)
2. Performance on coursework  (Learning Outcomes 1,4)
3. Performance on presentations in Neuro 601 and 694R (Learning Outcome 2)
4. Written master's thesis (Learning Outcomes 1-4)
5. Performance on oral defense of thesis and presentation of reserach in courses and at scientific meetings (Learning Outcomes 1-4)

Indirect Measures

1. Exit interview (Learning Outcome 4)
2. Placement in professional or graduate schools or jobs (Learning Outcome 3)

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

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Written work (prospectus of research, thesis, published research) for each student will be stored in the Neuroscience Center office and electroniclly with the university. Results from the exit interview and information about placement will be maintained as part of the exit interview data stored electronically in the Neuroscience Center. Performance on oral examination (final oral defense of thesis) will be assessed by each student's graduate committee and these assessments will be maintained within each student's file. The Neuroscience Graduate Committee will evaluate the assessment evidence for our program and courses in light of the program goals. When evidence exists that our program is not meeting its goals, the Committee will make recommendations to the faculty for improvement. This could involve a recommendation to modify the objectives or proposed learning outcomes for a given course. It could also involve a recommendation to modify the purpose, goals, or curriculum of the program. Any changes that require approval from the College and University will be presented to the College Graduate Council by our Neuroscience Center representative for consideration up the line.