Neuroscience
Department of Neuroscience
325 Life Science Research Building
613-520-4020
carleton.ca/neuroscience
M.Sc. Neuroscience
About the Program
Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field, encompassing different aspects of psychology, biology, chemistry, neurophysiology, genetics and epidemiology. Members of the Department of Neuroscience are engaged in a range of research topics examining the function of the central nervous system in both normal and disease states, using state-of-the-art facilities for microscopy, histology, neurochemistry, behavioural analysis, electrophysiology and molecular genetic analysis. Students will have the opportunity to learn these valuable techniques, and develop research projects aimed at the elucidation of many aspects of brain functioning and associated mental health diseases, including addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease, obesity, dementia and traumatic injury. As human behaviour is also an important area of study, there are laboratories in which to conduct human research related to the flourishing relationship between neuroscience and health psychology. Graduates of our program are well qualified to seek careers in the public sector, pharmaceutical research, and academia.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's program in Neuroscience is either a B.Sc. (Honours) in Neuroscience, Biology, or related field, or a B.A. (Honours) in Psychology. Applicants with other Bachelors honours degrees in related disciplines will also be considered provided the applicant can demonstrate a strong background that relates to Neuroscience.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee acceptance into the program. In addition to transcripts and letters of reference, application packages must include a statement of interest.
Program Requirements
The Master's degree in Neuroscience requires the satisfactory completion of 5.0 credits:
- 1.0 credit in NEUR 5100 Fundamentals in Neuroscience
- 0.5 credit in NEUR 5201 Statistics for Neuroscience I
- 0.5 credit in NEUR 5202 Statistics for Neuroscience II, or NEUR 5800 Special Topics in Neuroscience
- 3.0 credits in NEUR 5909 Thesis. Candidates must successfully complete a research thesis on a topic in Neuroscience supervised by a faculty member of the Department of Neuroscience.
Fast Track Option: Students who enroll in the M.Sc. program, and intend to subsequently continue into a Ph.D., will have the option of being fast-tracked into the Ph.D. program. Eligibility will be determined by recommendation from the M.Sc. thesis committee, the Graduate Chair in Neuroscience, and the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Regulations governing requirements for the Master's thesis, including deadlines for submission, are outlined in the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Ph.D. Neuroscience
About the Program
Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field, encompassing different aspects of psychology, biology, chemistry, neurophysiology, genetics and epidemiology. Members of the Department of Neuroscience are engaged in a range of research topics examining the function of the central nervous system in both normal and disease states, using state-of-the-art facilities for microscopy, histology, neurochemistry, behavioural analysis, electrophysiology and molecular genetic analysis. Students will have the opportunity to learn these valuable techniques, and develop research projects aimed at the elucidation of many aspects of brain functioning and associated mental health diseases, including addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease, obesity, dementia and traumatic injury. As human behaviour is also an important area of study, there are laboratories in which to conduct human research related to the flourishing relationship between neuroscience and health psychology. Graduates of our program are well qualified to seek careers in the public sector, pharmaceutical research, and academia.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
An M.Sc. from an appropriate university is usually required for entry to the Ph.D. program.
A student already registered for the M.Sc. may be permitted to transfer to the Ph.D. program following a recommendation by the Departmental Graduate Committee.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee acceptance into the program. In addition to transcripts and letters of reference, application packages must include a statement of interest.
Program Requirements
The Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience requires the satisfactory completion of 10.0 credits:
Required courses:
- 1.0 credit in NEUR 6100 Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience
- 1.0 credit in the NEUR 6200 Comprehensive Examination
- 0.5 credit in NEUR 5201 Statistics for Neuroscience I (unless taken previously, in which case substitute with 0.5 credits of optional courses)
- 0.5 credit in NEUR 5202 Statistics for Neuroscience II (unless taken previously, in which case substitute with 0.5 credits of optional courses)
- 1.0 credit in optional courses (see list below)
- 6.0 credits in NEUR 6909 Thesis. Candidates must successful complete a research thesis on a topic in Neuroscience supervised by a faculty member of the Department of Neuroscience.
Optional courses:
Candidates may chose from the following list of optional courses:
