University Catalog 2006-2007

University Catalog > College of Science > Neuroscience

Neuroscience

The BS in neuroscience prepares students for graduate level study, either in medical school or in a doctoral program in neuroscience or in another health-related field. In addition to satisfying university-wide general education requirements for the BS degree, candidates must complete a total of at least 80 credits in the core and foundation areas, distributed as follows. (Through the course work below, neuroscience majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science and quantitative reasoning.)

Emphasis

Students have the option of electing an emphasis in either dynamical neuroscience or integrative neuroscience. Students who wish to complete an emphasis should plan a program of study in consultation with their advisor.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in neuroscience may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing NEUR 400.

Honors Program

Neuroscience majors who have completed a minimum of 36 credits in non-neuroscience science and math courses, with a GPA in those courses of 3.00 or higher, and have completed the general neuroscience course (NEUR 200) with a grade of 3.50 or higher, may apply to enter the neuroscience honors program. Transfer students who have an incoming GPA of 3.40 in math and science are also eligible. To graduate with honors in neuroscience, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in math and science and earn a GPA of at least 3.50 in two semesters of Neuroscience Honors Research (NEUR 492/493, 3 credits each semester). Students apply to enter the Honors Program by having a brief (one or two page) proposal approved by the designated mentor and a second faculty reader, who will then form the committee for the eventual defense of the research thesis. The mentor will determine the letter grade awarded for each semester of NEUR 492/493.

Neuroscience, PhD

The doctoral program in neuroscience is offered jointly by COS, the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (LAHS), and the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study.

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in neuroscience focuses on the complexity of the human brain and addresses the challenge of developing an integrative understanding of human cognition and higher brain function. In response to this challenge, the rapidly developing field of neuroscience has produced an exponential increase in the amount of data available to investigators as they develop new theories of brain function and new hypotheses to test. The main objective of the program is to prepare students to participate at the cutting edge of this exciting field in academia, industry, and government. The program provides students with a rich interdisciplinary intellectual environment that fosters the development of the skills they will need to successfully pursue research careers.

Current faculty research focuses on the broad areas of behavior, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, computational modeling, and informatics. External research collaborations exist with federal agencies, private corporations, and other universities. The scope of research ranges from the subcellular and molecular level (in the context of such phenomena as drug addiction and the biological basis of schizophrenia) to the systems and behavioral level (including cognitive studies on great apes in collaboration with the National Zoological Park).

Current research projects include the effects of drugs and alcohol on behavioral and neurological development; cellular organization and connections of sensory processing areas in fish; connection between quantum processes and brain dynamics; cellular and subcellular models of associative learning; biochemical dynamics in disorders of the basal ganglia; computational methods for simulation of complex biological systems; role of metals in memory and Alzheimer’s disease; dynamical behavior of neurons and networks of neurons; and adaptive control for stabilization of epilepsy.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and undergraduate courses in chemistry, cell biology, and integral calculus. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.25 in undergraduate work and acceptable GRE scores. In addition, applicants must submit a statement of purpose consistent with the research interests of at least one faculty member in the program, and the names of two faculty members who may be suitable as advisors or supervisory committee members. To apply, prospective students should forward to the COS Fairfax Campus Graduate Admissions Processing Center a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student’s undergraduate major. GRE requirement for admission to the doctoral programs will be waived if the student holds a master’s degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all international applicants.

Degree Requirements

The curriculum consists of 72 credits: 48 credits of course work, and 24 credits of dissertation research. The 48-credit requirement may be reduced by up to 30 credits for a qualified student holding a previous master’s degree. Up to 24 credits of previous, relevant graduate course work may be transferred into the program provided those credits have not been applied toward a previous degree. Additional requirements for graduation include a dissertation, and at least one publication (in print or in press) in a refereed journal.

Two concentrations are included in the program: behavioral, anatomical, and molecular neuroscience (BAM); and theoretical, computational, and physiological neuroscience (TCP). All students will follow almost the same curriculum for the first two years, although concentration prerequisites may vary slightly. For example, students in the TCP concentration must have basic knowledge of integral calculus. It is expected that the selection of elective thesis topics will vary widely between the two concentrations. However, students will be allowed to “mix and match” electives from both concentrations, with guidance and consent from the advisor or graduate coordinator.

The courses, seminars, and laboratory rotations and readings (comprising a total of 48 credits) are organized as follows:

When course work is nearing completion, students should form a doctoral committee and have their thesis proposal ready to defend. Candidacy exams include written and oral components. After passing the candidacy exam and receiving committee approval of the dissertation proposal, students are advanced to doctoral candidacy. The degree will be awarded after completion of the required course work and approval of a PhD thesis that makes an original and significant contribution to the field.