Master of Science in Neuroscience

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Program Link:
https://vetmed.wsu.edu/departments/integrative-physiology-and-neuroscience/%20
Total Graduate Faculty in Program:
50
Total Core Graduate Faculty in Program:
35
Graduate Students in Program:
3
Students Receiving Assistantships:
1
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall December 1

Campus:

  • Pullman

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

  • 600 TOEFL Minimum score
  • 100 TOEFLI Minimum score

Degree Description:

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system from elementary molecular events to integrative outputs such as behavior and autonomic control. The program in Neuroscience at WSU includes classroom discussions of primary neuroscience literature, courses designed specifically to teach students scientific reasoning and training in proposal writing and oral presentation skills. However, the bulk of the program is spent pursuing a scientific question that includes the design and completion of an original investigation. Students develop their project under the expert guidance of well-funded and renowned neuroscientists on the faculty at WSU. Members of the graduate faculty in the Program in Neuroscience come from multiple departments, colleges, and campuses from across the University, thus giving students a broad selection of mentors and potential topics for their thesis research.

Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Graduate School are committed to providing equal opportunity in its services, programs, and employment for individuals with disabilities. Academically qualified students with disabilities are provided with access to the individualized assistance that is consistent with the student’s needs and the essential requirements of the program or course of study in which the student is enrolled. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Use the links on the left to learn more about our graduate Program Details, Faculty Research Areas, and Highlights. Please contact us directly.

The Program in Neuroscience has students on three campuses located in Pullman, Spokane and Vancouver, Washington.  Students will be physically located on the campus where their mentor has their laboratory.  All neuroscience applications go to the same location no matter where their potential mentor might be located.

Admission Requirements:

Students wishing to pursue a Master’s degree in Neuroscience need to have a strong math and science background with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants need to submit an application on the WSU Graduate School website to be considered.   Application documents must include:

  • College transcripts (unofficial acceptable for initial review–upon admittance official transcripts are required)
  • Three (3) letters of reference
  • Resume or curriculum vita
  • Personal statement describing why you are interested in studying neuroscience clearly define which faculty mentor you are interested in working with and explain why. Included in the personal statement describe an achievement that you are proud of and discuss how you reached your goal, and any obstacles you had to overcome to reach it.  Conversely, tell us about a time when you didn’t achieve a goal and what you learned from the experience (maximum word length is 350 words).
  • Writing Statement:  Describe a major finding in neuroscience and/or biomedicine over the past five (5) years, and explain why you think it was important (maximum word length of 350 words).  Please cite your work at the end.  Citations do not count in the 350 word length count.  Writing statements over the maximum word length may disqualify your application.

Application review begins December 1 each year.  Only complete applications with all accompanying documents will be reviewed.

Students that choose to pursue a Master’s degree must identify a research mentor from the graduate faculty for the Program in Neuroscience prior to being admitted. The faculty mentor needs to contact the Neuroscience admissions office to confirm the agreement. The Program in Neuroscience does not fund MS students. Students need to either self-support or identify other sources of support (mentor’s grant or teaching assistantship if available).

Student Opportunities:

In addition to learning how to read and evaluate scientific literature, students in the MS program will learn the fundamental aspects of experimental design and some technical skills used in neuroscience research. They also have the opportunity to participate in the professional development series administered through the Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences (iPBS).

Career Opportunities:

Students completing their MS degree in Neuroscience can continue on to complete a PhD degree, or enter directly into a research career in a government, academic or industry laboratory (pharmaceutical or other biotech).

Contact Information: