Cell and Neurobiology (MS)

(No longer accepting applications)

The prerequisite for applicants to the MS graduate program in cell and neurobiology is a bachelor’s degree with a science major or equivalent. Applicants should have a superior undergraduate record at an accredited college or university. Additional requirements include three letters of recommendation and satisfactory performance on the general and advanced (biology or chemistry) portions of the Graduate Record Examinations. Students are normally admitted for the academic year beginning in the fall; however admission to the master’s program can begin in the spring semester with approval from the Graduate Admission Committee. Application deadline for the following academic year is January 1.

Master of Science

The Master of Science degree is awarded for demonstrated competence in the cell biological sciences, broadly defined. Two options are available: (1) a non-thesis MS program based entirely on course work followed by a comprehensive examination; and (2) a thesis MS program that includes fewer courses but requires a written thesis based on original laboratory research. Students take courses both from the Department of Cell and Neurobiology and other departments to obtain a broad appreciation of structure and function. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. The Master of Science candidate may engage in teaching if this is beneficial to the individual program.

Students in the non-thesis program must complete a minimum of 34 units of graduate level courses (500 or higher) beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Non-thesis students must take 16 units from the following list of courses: BISC 421 , BME 552 , BME 575 , BME 670 , BME 671 , CNB 501a , CNB 501b , CNB 511a , CNB 511b , CNB 512 , CNB 513 , CNB 521 , CNB 525 , CNB 534 , CNB 631 , INTD 504 , INTD 531 , INTD 555 , INTD 561 , INTD 571 , INTD 572 , INTD 573 , MICB 551 , NSCI 524 . All students must pass additional courses totaling 18 units. All course work must be approved by the student’s graduate adviser and the chair of the graduate program.

Students in the thesis program must complete a minimum of 38 units of graduate level courses (500 or higher) beyond the baccalaureate degree.

The regulations for thesis students are the same as specified above, except the student is required to take only 12 units from the course list and an additional 16 units from other departmental or non-departmental courses. Students will also take 6 units of CNB 590 . The thesis MS student is required to take at least 4 units of Master’s Thesis (CNB 594). All course work must be approved by the student’s graduate adviser and the chair of the graduate program.