UF NEUROSCIENCE
M.S. in Medical Sciences: Neuroscience
Students in the M.S. in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Neuroscience complete graduate discipline-based coursework while receiving hands-on laboratory training with internationally recognized faculty. Students conduct mentored research projects in areas such as neuro oncology, learning and memory, substance use disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Graduates are prepared for research-intensive careers in academia, biotech, or pharmaceutical industries.
Why Choose UF for your Neuroscience Research Master’s Degree?
The goal of the M.S. in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Neuroscience is to provide students with applicable knowledge and essential skills that can be leveraged toward multiple academic and private sector career options. Our master’s students enroll in the same challenging coursework as our Ph.D. students and complete 42 hours of academic credit over the two-year program. The program is designed to provide students with intensive hands-on research experience, which regularly leads to peer-reviewed publications.
Some students may develop a passion for their topic of interest and decide to engage in the Ph.D. track in neuroscience. Others may opt to use their degree as a gateway to careers in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. Still others find that our program is an excellent foundation for professional degree programs, including medical school, veterinary medicine, and dental school. Indeed, individuals with master’s degrees in neuroscience can be found pursuing government careers (e.g., NIH, FDA), public health degrees, as well as advanced degrees in biomedical engineering and law.
Course and Degree Requirements
The master’s degree is a two-year program that combines coursework and a research-intensive thesis. Students must complete a total of 42 academic credits, including didactic coursework designed to provide a strong foundation of the discipline. Coursework can be personalized to match the student’s goals.
Prior to entering the program, students must identify a faculty mentor from the neuroscience graduate faculty who will oversee the student’s research thesis. Prospective students can identify faculty mentors of interest from our searchable database.
The program is designed as a two-year program. By the end of their second year, students will have completed their coursework, prepared a written thesis, and completed an oral exam on their research project.
Course substitutions may be made with prior approval from the program director.
M.S. Suggested Schedule
| Year | Semester | Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Fall | GMS 6007 Fundamentals of Neurosciences (3cr) (online) – OR – GMS 6701 Advanced Functional and Comparative Neuroanatomy for Professionals (3cr) (in-person) GMS 6022 Principles of Neurophysiology (2cr) or take in Year 2 GMS 6029 “Hot Topics in Neuroscience” Journal Club (2cr) GMS 7794 Neuroscience Departmental Seminar (1cr) GMS 6090/6905 Medical Sciences Research (variable) |
| Spring | GMS 6023 Neuropharmacology (3cr) or take in Year 2 GMS 6025C Statistics for Neuroscientists (4cr) GMS 7794 Neuroscience Departmental Seminar (1cr) Students form committee and propose thesis work |
|
| Summer | GMS 6090/6905 Medical Sciences Research (variable) GMS 7795 Rigor and Experimental Design (2cr) GMS 7877 Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research (2cr) Elective(s) |
|
| Year 2 | Fall | GMS 6022 Principles of Neurophysiology (2cr) if not taken in Year 1 GMS 6090/6905 Medical Sciences Research (variable) Elective(s) |
| Spring | GMS 6023 Neuropharmacology (3cr) if not taken in Year 1 GMS 6971 Master’s Research (variable) (at least 3 credits fall/spring or 2 credits summer required in final semester) Elective(s) Students complete written thesis and oral exam |
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M.S. Application Instructions
Know Before you Apply
Acceptance into the research in person MS in Medical Sciences (Neuroscience) program is conditional. On top of meeting graduate school requirements, accepted candidates MUST identify a research mentor with funding and space in order to matriculate in the Fall semester. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the program and areas of neuroscience of most interest to them. We encourage potentially contacting faculty in these areas beforehand to determine if faculty are recruiting students as funding/space situations change often. We will work with accepted candidates to try and find a mentor and home for their research thesis, but we cannot guarantee their availability or enrollment.
- Prerequisite Courses: Candidates should have taken undergraduate courses in general biology, chemistry and biochemistry. Applicants with undergraduate academic performance that does not meet these requirements are encouraged to consider pursuing a year of post-baccalaureate studies with the goal of demonstrating an ability to achieve satisfactory academic progress in graduate level courses.
- GRE: We do not require or review GRE scores.
Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, we cannot offer an indication of how competitive your application will be before you apply. If you are confident that a completed application will demonstrate exceptional strength, we encourage you to submit your application.
Before beginning your application, read all of the information and instructions on the web pages of the UF Graduate School and the UF Office of Admissions.
International applicants
All international applicants will be required to provide English Proficiency Test Scores and meet minimum score requirements. English proficiency examination results, such as TOEFL and IELTS (taken within the past two (2) years), are required for non-native English speakers.
Minimum acceptable scores and exemption requirements are listed at the link above.
The university’s test code is 5812.
If transcripts are not in English, both the native language and a certified, literal line-for-line English translation of the original document must be submitted. Acceptable certified translations are issued by your institution or a professional translating service.
How to Apply
1) Graduate School Application
https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/
Create and Verify CollegeNET Account
Complete all requested information on each page of the online application
- Program of Study: Select ‘College of Medicine’ followed by ‘Medical Sciences – Degree Name – ‘Master of Science’
- Additional Information: Select Concentration – ‘Neuroscience’ .
- Leave Program Specialization and Department Contact blank
- It is very important that you calculate your undergraduate upper-division GPA and enter it in the application.
- The minimum requirements for graduate admission at the University of Florida include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all upper division (junior/senior) undergraduate work, though stronger applicants will have a GPA of 3.5
2) Personal Statement
Explain your purpose for graduate study, including your career goals and how an M.S. in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Neuroscience is important to achieving those goals. Discuss areas of neuroscience research of interest and highlight any previous research experience(s). Please be sure to identify your college major in your personal statement. Your statement should be approximately 500-600 words or approximately 1 single-spaced page.
3) Resume/CV
Pertinent work history and/or research experience, publications, honors, etc. Prior research experience is not required.
Please be sure to include information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding in your resume/CV.
4) Three Letters of Recommendation
Recommenders should submit letters directly through the online application portal. If a recommender encounters issues with the portal, they may instead email their letter along with the Grad School Recommendation form directly to: Academic Coordinator, Ikiah Young.
5) Transcripts
You should upload to your application, unofficial transcripts from ALL institutions attended, which will be used for the initial review. Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended are required if admitted to the program.
If sending official transcripts (electronic or post), order them as soon as possible. It may take several weeks for the transcript to be matched to your application once it is received by the Admissions Office and be available to the Department.
If ordering electronic transcripts, please be aware that the Office of Admissions only accepts PDF transcripts from Parchment, National Clearing House, and eScript. The email address for receipt of these transcripts is TE@admissions.ufl.edu
Posted physical transcripts can be sent to:
University of Florida Office of Admissions
ATTN: Graduate Admissions
201 Criser Hall
P.O. Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
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Financial Support
Stipends & Tuition Waivers
Once you are admitted to the Neuroscience MS Program (both domestic and international students), you will be appointed as a Graduate Research Assistant. The current stipend is $28,000 annually. Stipends are paid biweekly as a salary and are intended to offset living expenses. Student tuition and fees (transportation fee, technology fee, athletic fee, activity & service fee, etc.) are paid by the research mentor through a variety of sources. All out-of-state U.S. citizens and permanent residents must file for reclassification as Florida residents if they are eligible.
As a graduate student admitted as a Graduate Research Assistant, you are considered an employee of the University of Florida. Some of our graduate students take advantage of teaching opportunities in order to gain pedagogical experience. You may receive additional compensation for teaching duties.
Health Insurance
The University of Florida offers GatorCare health insurance to Graduate Assistants. GatorCare is a program created with your health and wellness needs in mind. Designed to promote improved health care access, quality of care, and employee health, GatorCare is a consolidated group health insurance plan available to eligible employee groups associated with the University of Florida and its affiliates. Graduate Assistants will pay a $12.00 monthly premium toward individual coverage through payroll deduction. The university will pay the balance of the annual premium.
General GatorCare information can be found online here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GRE required for admission?
No
Do you offer spring or summer admission?
No. We only offer fall admission.
What is the general time frame for the program?
1.5 – 2 years
Is there an online option?
The Neuroscience Research Master’s program is entirely on campus. Students will begin working in labs starting in their first semester.
The Online Biomedical Neuroscience Master’s program is entirely online and does not involve lab work. The online curriculum is different from the Research Master’s.
Do I need to contact a faculty member before I apply? How do I get matched with a faculty mentor?
Accepted candidates MUST identify a research mentor with funding and space in order to matriculate in the fall semester. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the program and areas of neuroscience of most interest to them. We encourage contacting faculty in these areas beforehand to determine if faculty are recruiting students as funding/space situations change often. We will work with accepted candidates to try to find a mentor and home for their research thesis, but we cannot guarantee their availability or enrollment.
If admitted, will I be fully funded as a student?
Yes. Admitted students are hired as graduate assistants. You will receive a stipend and tuition waivers provided you maintain satisfactory academic progress and full-time enrollment.
Will I have health insurance as a student?
Graduate Assistants may participate in the GatorGradCare health insurance plan. Enrollment is not automatic; newly hired graduate assistants have 60 days from their date of hire to enroll in GatorGradCare if they want to participate. Employees enrolled in GatorGradCare are responsible for a portion of the premium (cost of insurance). The premium is collected through bi-weekly payroll deductions.
The graduate application portal suggested that the statement of purpose be only 400-500 words. Is this correct for this program?
Your statement should be approximately 500-600 words or approximately one single-spaced page.
Is there a specific undergraduate degree I should have in order to apply?
No. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds in science-related programs (biological science, clinical disciplines), as well as others.
What are the prerequisites for entering the program?
Candidates should have taken undergraduate courses in general biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. Applicants with undergraduate academic performance that does not meet these requirements are encouraged to consider pursuing a year of postbaccalaureate studies to demonstrate an ability to achieve satisfactory academic progress in graduate-level courses.
What are the minimum GPA requirements for admission to the program?
The Graduate School at UF requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate studies. These are not the only benchmarks by which we evaluate students. Emphasis is also placed on performance in relevant undergraduate/graduate courses (i.e., biology, science), statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular and research experience.
Do I need neuroscience or research experience to be admitted to the neuroscience Ph.D. program?
While previous neuroscience research experience is looked at favorably, it is not required. Applications are reviewed holistically, and faculty are looking to see that students are a good fit for the program and their lab, with a passion for the pursuit of knowledge in neuroscience.
Who should I get recommendations from?
You should ask for recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic achievement and who can address your potential for success in a graduate program. If you have been out of school for a number of years and are unable to contact former professors, letters from other individuals who can address your achievements will be accepted, i.e., employers or colleagues. Avoid references from family or close friends. References must be current (within the last four years).
May I submit my application before my recommenders submit their letters?
Yes. Please make sure all letters are submitted by the application deadline listed on our program webpage.
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Matthew R Sarkisian