Introduction
The BIHE’s M.Sc. Program in Neuroscience was established in 2008 as a pilot project with 3 graduate students.
The objectives of the program are to educate graduate students as neuroscientists and to ensure that students develop a broadly based knowledge of neuroscience. The program prepares candidates for a variety of careers in teaching and research both within and outside of academia. Graduates acquire an excellent knowledge of their chosen research field and a general understanding of the areas related to their own particular research project. They must demonstrate research skills and credibility as professionals in their area of research.
Vision
The program envisions training the next generation of innovative, productive, impactful neuroscientists.
Mission
The BIHE’s M.Sc. of Program in Neuroscience aims to train students in the concepts and methods of modern neuroscientific research to impart the skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm needed to make impactful contributions to this field throughout their entire careers. The program’s core values form the heart of its institutional culture and serve as a guiding light and driving purpose as the program moves forward. These core values include integrity, innovation, teamwork, collaboration, and compassion.
Goals and Objectives
The program’s main goal is to train students to:
- Have a strong background in the field of neuroscience
- Be familiar with major emerging themes in neuroscience
- Have an in-depth exposure to specific areas of neuroscience as determined by the students’ thesis projects
- Be able to read and critique scientific literature
- Be able to teach fundamental and main concepts of neuroscience.
Admission Requirements
The program is open to those with a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from a regionally accredited institution. An official transcript from the attended university is required.
Applicants apply online using an application form that collects personal data as well as a 500-word essay in English that outlines why the candidate would like to pursue this program and summarizes personal background that is relevant to their application. All applicants should provide two letters of recommendation from referees who are not family members or friends and who have worked closely with the applicant in the academic or work environments, ideally with some research component. The referees should be familiar with the applicant’s work habits, motivation, and ability to work creatively and independently.
The applicants are required to present proof of English proficiency at the level of the "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS) 6.5 in each of writing, reading, comprehension & expression. This can be assessed by an IELTS, the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) or equivalent.
All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
At present, the program can admit a maximum number of 6 students.
Curriculum
The BIHE’s M.Sc. in Neuroscience is a research-based program that requires successful completion of coursework as well as successful completion of an original research project within the field of neurosciences. Students are required to take 35 credit hours of the following courses:
- BIO5104: Advanced Neuroanatomy (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5105: Advanced Neurophysiology (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5106: Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5107: Special Topics in Neuroscience (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO3108: Scientific Writing (3 Credit Hours)
- STA5118: Advanced Biostatistics (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5148: Neuroscience Journal Club (1 Credit Hour)
- BIO5146: Seminar Series in Neuroscience (1 Credit Hour)
- BIO5150: Behavioral Neuroscience (3 Credit Hours)
- THS5109: Master’s Thesis (12 Credit Hours)