Neuroscience, Mental Retardation, and Developmental Disabilities Admission Requirements (Effective Fall 2009)

An adequate background in biology and psychology undergraduate courses will be required of all entering students. If deficiencies are identified during the application process students will be advised to take the appropriate undergraduate course, which will be offered at CSI. Admission to the CSI program will be determined by the proposed program's Graduate Studies Committee comprised of four faculty members and the Director of the Center for Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Disabilities. Students with bachelor's degrees in all fields may apply for admission, provided they have taken two semesters of biology (with laboratory), two semesters of psychology, one semester of chemistry, one semester of calculus, and one semester of statistics. Students applying for admission are expected to have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (B) in their undergraduate biology, mathematics, psychology, or other science courses. They are expected to submit three letters of recommendation attesting to their ability to complete the program successfully. Students with English as a second language must score 550 (paper) , 213 (computer), or 79-80 (Internet) or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Based on an interview, the Program's Graduate Studies Committee will make the final decision on the admission of the candidate. Similar to other master's programs at CSI, the students have to maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 (B) to remain in the program. Prior to the start of the second year of study, the student will submit selected writings from their coursework, creating a portfolio to be reviewed and approved by the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Committee. Faculty approval of the writing portfolio is a requirement prior to the registration of the Master's Thesis.