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The program is available only to graduates of the University of Massachusetts Amherst or the four colleges in the Five College community who have worked as undergraduates in the lab of an NSB faculty member. Participating students normally identify a faculty adviser in their junior year and become actively engaged in research throughout their senior year. The research should lead to a well-defined project suitable for graduate-level research in the Neuroscience and Behavior Program.

Students may apply for graduate admission to the NSB Master’s Program in their senior year and must be in compliance with Graduate School regulations and requirements. At the beginning of graduate study the student selects a thesis committee consisting of an adviser and two NSB faculty members. Each M.S. graduate student must attend the NSB Proseminar during the fall semester. Required courses include two core courses (one in Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience, the other in Neuroanatomy, Physiology, and Behavior), and two electives (at least one must be at the 600 level or above). In addition, the student must obtain three credit hours in research methodology, (a variety of options are available including statistics courses, methods courses, and research practica). Thirty credit hours are required for the NSB Master’s degree. It is anticipated that qualified students should be able to complete the entire B.S./M.S. degree track within five years, including two summers. Career opportunities include biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies, medical school, veterinary school, science journalism, law school (intellectual-property and corporate law), government agencies, and academic research laboratories.