Neuroscience MS

Major: Neuroscience
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS) 
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 41.0 (MS, non-thesis); 55.0 (MS, thesis); 
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.1501
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9121

About the Program

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies within the College of Medicine offers an interdepartmental and multidisciplinary Master of Science program in Neuroscience. The program provides a vibrant research component leading to published scientific work in reputable journals, as well as training in the panoply of research and presentation skills required to conduct and disseminate the research. Students are provided with a curriculum of integrated courses that include the essentials for biomedical research and courses that span cellular, developmental, systems and behavioral neurosciences, as well as neuroanatomy, injury and disease of the nervous system. Upon completing these programs, students pursue careers in academic research, teaching, pharmaceutical research, industry, government, academic administration, public policy and beyond.

The MS program provides students a broad background in neuroscience and the techniques used in neuroscience research. In addition to the thesis-based MS program, Drexel offers a non-thesis degree program in which students can earn the degree without a research project by taking additional classes and writing a literature review paper. Students who wish to continue their graduate training after the MS degree may apply to the PhD program and their credits may be applied to the doctoral program.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College of Medicine's Neuroscience program website.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in cellular, systems (including neuroengineering), computational and behavioral neuroscience are encouraged to apply. There are no minimum requirements, but applicants should be competitive with regard to grades, research interests and letters of recommendation. Prior research experience is preferred but not required. Applicants are encouraged to email the MS admissions chair, program director or any of the faculty of the program with whom they may share scientific interests to discuss their suitability for the program and/or potential projects in relevant laboratories.

The Drexel University College of Medicine's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies has a rolling admissions policy, which means that complete applications are reviewed as they are received. Applicants are therefore advised to apply early, as decisions to accept or deny admission may be made before the official deadlines.

Additional Information

To learn more about applying to Drexel University College of Medicine programs, visit the College of Medicine’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies website.

About the Curriculum

Students in the MS program will engage in a curriculum that consists of a set of core courses that are shared by all of the biomedical graduate programs in the medical school and a set of programmatic courses that are distributed over the two years (four semesters) of the program. The possibility exists for students to be excused from a particular course if they are able to prove that they already have the knowledge required of the particular course as well as a competitive grade. In the first year, there are two to three rotations in the curriculum, the purpose of which is to enable the student to select the most appropriate graduate advisor to supervise the student's research project. During the second year, in addition to taking specific courses, students will complete their thesis research under the supervision of their faculty advisor and the guidance of their Advisory Committee.

Degree Requirements: Non-Thesis Option

Approved Electives

Students may opt to take additional approved electives in consultation with their advisor.

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Additional courses from the Biograduate Medical programs may be taken as electives. Students should check with the College of Medicine's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies programs.

Degree Requirements: Thesis Option

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Taken both semesters in the second year.

Approved Electives

Students may opt to take additional approved electives in consultation with their advisor.

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Additional courses from the Biomedical Graduate Programs may be taken as electives. Students should check with the College of Medicine's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies programs.

Sample Plan of Study Non-Thesis Option

Sample Plan of Study Thesis

Program Level Outcomes