The Interfaculty Graduate Neuroscience Program leading to the MS degree in neuroscience draws on the resources of the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and is administered by graduate committee of the faculty of Medicine.
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system. It includes an interrelated set of scientific disciplines including basic (neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, neurobehavior) and clinical (neurology, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, neuropathology, ophthalmology, psychiatry) subjects. Since its inception in 1974, the program has been run by faculty in the Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences (DACP; former Physiology and Human Morphology Departments). Although the participating faculty comes primarily from the DACP, contributions are made from faculty members in the Neurosurgery Division and the Neurology and Psychiatry Departments and from other departments in the Faculty of Medicine, the Biology and Psychology Departments in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and the Electrical Engineering Department in the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.
The Interfaculty Graduate Neuroscience Program (IGNP) is a member of the Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs (ANDP) in Bethesda, Maryland (USA), whose aim is to advance education and research in neuroscience.
Admission Requirements
The program is flexible in accepting students from a variety of backgrounds, including MD graduates and holders of the BS degree from various university programs. Applications must be submitted through the AUB website; selected applicants must fulfill the admission criteria for graduate studies at AUB.
Graduation Requirements for the MS in Neuroscience
- Students holding a BS or BA degree are required to take a minimum of 21 graduate credit hours and present a thesis (9 credits) based on independent research in one of the basic neuroscience subjects.
- Holders of the MD degree, or medical students who have completed the first two years towards the MD, are required to take a minimum of 10 non-medical graduate credit hours in addition to a thesis (9 credits).
- Only one course (IDTH 308 - Basic Neuroscience (6 credits)) is required, in addition to a wide choice of electives from various departments and faculties.
Average Length of Time
- Four semesters for holders of BS or BA degrees.
- Two semesters for MD graduates or medical students who have completed the first two years of the medical program.
Course Descriptions
In addition, any elective graduate course from other graduate programs may be taken.