Postgraduate Training and Research Opportunities in Neuroscience

Cambridge has excellent opportunities for those wishing to embark on a career in neuroscience. Specifically, Cambridge provides a stimulating and supportive environment for Postgraduate Students, where there is a carefully monitored research supervision system and a wealth of seminars and other research-oriented teaching available to students.

Postgraduate Training in Cambridge

There is no single Department of Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge but it is possible to do a neuroscience-focused post graduate degree at more than 30 Departments and Institutes across Cambridge Neuroscience. Regarding the available tracks, the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences has details of both Masters and PhD courses in the sciences.

Masters or MPhil Programmes in Cambridge

These are generally 1 year programmes and are predominantly research based, although some offer both taught and research components. This includes the inter disciplinary MPhil programme known as the Cambridge Neuroscience MPhil in Basic and Translational Neuroscience.

PhD Programmes in Cambridge

In Cambridge, students currently do not spend an extended period conducting research projects in different labs or taking courses in a large range of fields. Instead, you will begin research work at the start under the guidance of your supervisor, attending lectures tailored to your individual requirements that are relevant to your chosen field and general principles of experimental design and analysis. Most programmes are 3-4 years full time (or 5-7 years part time). Before you apply for a PhD in Cambridge, it is advised that you contact potential PhD supervisors in your field of interest to discover whether your research can be accommodated in the supervisor’s laboratory.

Masters of Science in Medical Sciences: Neuroscience at the University of Florida

Neuroscience is integrated into virtually every aspect of biomedical science, with most diseases having a neurological component. At the University of Florida, the goal of the Masters of Science in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Neuroscience is to provide a student with applicable knowledge and essential skills that can be leveraged towards multiple academic and private sector career path options.

Program Structure and Research

Our goal is to provide student entering the master’s program foundational knowledge in neuroscience and a rigorous, mentored research training experience. Our master’s students enroll in the same challenging coursework as our Ph.D. students, and in total complete 42 hours of academic credit over the two year program. We strive to provide our master’s students with a top-notch research experience that can lead to peer-reviewed publications. For students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in neuroscience without an interest in hands-on research, we strongly encourage you to consider our online master’s program.

Career Path Options

This degree serves as an excellent foundation for various paths:

• Some students may develop a passion for his/her topic of interest and decide to engage in the Ph.D. track in neuroscience.
• Others may opt to use their degree as a gateway to careers in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries.
• Still others find that this is an excellent foundation for professional degree programs, including medical school, veterinary medicine and dental school.
• Individuals with master’s degrees in neuroscience can be found pursuing government careers (e.g. NIH, FDA) and public health degrees.

Comparison of Postgraduate Neuroscience Programs