Scientists who study the brain and how it controls human behavior along with other bodily organs including the cognitive functions in the human body are called Neuroscientists. They study humans’ thought process and try to find out what goes on inside the brain’s neurological and psychological pathways.
What Is Neuroscience?
Neuroscience is not just one discipline. Instead, it is a combination of multiple disciplines such as, Medicine, Computer Science, Psychology, Engineering and Mathematics etc. It is a rapidly evolving field with extensive research. Scientists in this field study the neural and developmental processes as well as disorders. They can specialize in a variety of disciplines such as, Neuropsychology or Neuroanatomy etc. Their research aims to shed light on how the mind and body work in harmony and how they are both affected when an illness strikes either the brain or the body.
Masters in Neuroscience is aimed at people who are interested in exploring the untouched areas of neuroscience that have a direct link with other subjects as well. A masters degree in this field prepares students to carry out extensive research in the field by collaborating with scientists from other disciplines. It also provides them with a deeper understanding of concepts that are needed to work as a teacher in this field.
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Neuroscience?
After successful completion of a master’s degree in Neuroscience, you may work with public or private organizations as Postsecondary Teacher, Medical Scientist, Biomedical Engineer and so on. As per the data reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2018-19, the salary details of a few occupations in this field are as follows.
Medical Scientists
The job of a medical scientist is to carry out research that can help improve the health of human beings. To draw conclusions and find results, Medical Scientists utilize various investigative scientific methods including clinical trials.
Annual Median Salary, 2019: $88,790
Average Annual Mean Salary, 2019: $98,770
Projected Growth Rate, 2018-2028: 8%
State with the Highest Salary, 2019: Maine - $130,310 per year
State with the Highest Employment Rate, 2019: California - 23,460
Biomedical Engineers
People of this profession are experts in combining concepts from medical sciences with engineering technologies. They make various kinds of equipment, computer systems and software, other devices etc. that are regularly used in healthcare systems.
Annual Median Salary, 2019: $91,410
Average Annual Mean Salary, 2019: $97,090
Projected Growth Rate, 2018-2028: 4%
State with the Highest Salary, 2019: Minnesota - $116,850 per year
State with the Highest Employment Rate, 2019: California - 2,540
What to Expect with a Master’s in Neuroscience?
The curriculum often varies for each university. For instance, the curriculum of Master of Neuroscience offered by the University of Pittsburgh includes courses like,
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Neuroanatomy
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Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
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Neurophysiology
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Synaptic Transmission and so on
Apart from these courses, students are required to write an original thesis and successfully defend it to graduate.
How to Choose a Master’s in Neuroscience?
While selecting a master’s degree in Neuroscience, you must keep a number of things in mind. For instance, the duration of program (which is typically 2 to 3 years), mode of teaching (either on-campus or online), faculty, reputation of the university, valid and relevant accreditation of program etc. There are several universities in the US that offer a master’s degree in Neuroscience. For example, the University of Pittsburgh offers this degree with 30 credit hours whereas, the University of Miami offers this degree with almost 72 credit hours.
What Are the Admission Requirements of a Master’s in Neuroscience?
Almost every university requires prospective students to complete an online application and pay an application processing fee. However, other requirements vary for each university. For instance, if you want to apply to the University of Washington, you must have the following things at the time of online application:
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All previous transcripts
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A statement of purpose
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An updated resume
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Online recommendation letters
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Complete online application