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B.S./M.A. in Neuroscience

This accelerated B.S./M.A. program is intended for superior students who have demonstrated academic excellence, already inaugurate​d an approved research project, and intend​​ to continue their graduate or professional education.

Students who complete this program will acquire highly valuable research skills and strengthen their future graduate school applications.

Students are expected to complete both the B.S. and M.A, degrees within 5 years. Since courses are co-listed for graduate and undergraduate credit, students will need to take at least 4 courses for graduate credit while enrolled as undergraduate students.

Eligibility

This program is restricted to Trinity College students. ​​

Before applying, students are expected to:

  • Be an undergraduate at Trinity College in good standing who has declared their major field of study to be neuroscience;
  • Have completed or about to complete at least 4 terms of study at Trinity College, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all subjects and in Neuroscience;
  • Have completed NESC 201 Principles of Neuroscience with a grade of B- or better;
  • Have completed either NESC 201 lab or NESC 301 with a grade of B- or better;
  • Have completed sufficient research under the supervision of a Trinity College neuroscience faculty member who can comment on the student’s abilities;
  • Propose a specific research project for the thesis, approved by the same faculty member under whose supervision they have conducted research.

Application Materials​

  • Application for the B.S./M.A. in Neuroscience, to be submitted by April 1 of the sophomore year or December 1 of the junior year;
  • A detailed description of the major research project;
  • A written recommendation from a faculty member who supports the research project and has agreed to supervise it; and
  • A second letter of recommendation from another faculty member of Trinity College.

Applications that meet the above criteria will be forwarded to the Neuroscience Coordinating Committee for consideration. Applicants will be notified in writing of the Committee’s decision by the beginning of registration for the subsequent term.

Applicants to this program should understand that not everyone who meets the minimum qualifications above will be selected for participation. Factors such as the academic quality of the proposed research project, availability of faculty and laboratory resources to support particular research projects, and other considerations may influence the Committee’s decision.

Curriculum

The B.S./M.A. in Neuroscience requires 10 course credits at the graduate level, in addition to the Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, distributed as follows:

Requirements for the B.S. in Neuroscience
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Including at least 4 courses for graduate credit that can be simultaneously applied toward the requirements of the Bachelor’s degree*

​​​Independent Research (2 credits)
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Generally, the undergraduate senior thesis

​​Five Required Courses for the M.A. in Neuroscience**
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​All of these courses must be taken for graduate credit
Note that this includes the 4 graduate courses applied simultaneously to the B.S. degree in Neuroscience

  • ​​The following core courses:
    • ​NESC 401/801, Neurochemistry
    • ​​ENGR 316/NESC 816, Neural Engineering
  • Three Electives, 1 from each of the following groups:
    • ​One from the following:
      • PSYC 391/NESC 891, Psychology of Language; or
      • PSYC 334/NESC 834, Cognitive Boundaries; or
      • PSYC 348/NESC 848 Focusing of the Mind
    • One from the following:
      • PSYC 302/NESC 302, Behavioral Neuroscience; or
      • NESC 362/862, Neuroethology
    • One from the following:
      • ​PSYC 392/NESC 392, Human Neuropsychology; or
      • PSYC 365/NESC 365, Cognitive Neuroscience ​

Research Seminar (taken over two semesters for .5 credit each)

​​Master’s Thesis, 2 Credits (grade of B- or better required)

* Students taking courses for graduate credit will be expected to complete additional writing or laboratory assignments and will be graded with expectations commensurate with graduate-level work.

** Courses offered at the University of Connecticut Health Center or the University of Hartford may substitute for some of the above courses. See the Program Director for additional information and permission.