About Neuroscience, Phd in George Mason University
The Neuroscience, PhD program focuses on the study of the brain and addresses the challenge of developing an integrative understanding of cognition and higher brain function. In response to this challenge, the rapidly developing field of neuroscience has produced an exponential increase in the amount of data available to investigators as they develop new theories of brain function and new hypotheses to test. The main objective of the program is to prepare students to participate at the cutting edge of this exciting field in academia, industry, and government. The program provides students with a rich interdisciplinary intellectual environment that fosters the development of the skills they will need to successfully pursue research careers.
Current faculty research focuses on the broad areas of behavior, anatomy, physiology, neuropharmacology, molecular biology, computational modeling, and informatics. External research collaborations exist with federal agencies, private and not-for-profit corporations, and other universities. The scope of research ranges from the subcellular and molecular level (in the context of such phenomena as drug addiction and the biological basis of schizophrenia) to the systems and behavioral level.
Current research projects include plasticity mechanisms supporting development, network formation and information processing, cellular and subcellular models of associative learning, biochemical dynamics in disorders of the basal ganglia, computational methods for simulation of complex biological systems, role of metals in memory and Alzheimer's disease, and dynamical behavior of neurons and networks of neurons, and identifying and characterizing protein interactions for the dopamine and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.
Total credits: 72
Graduate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
English Language Requirements
TOEFL iBT Graduate- Testing code 5827
- School of Business Graduate: 93 points, 20 points in each section
- Volgenau School of Engineering Graduate: - 80 or higher, no section minimum
- Schar School of Policy and Government PhD Programs: 100 or higher, 23 points in each section
- All other graduate programs- 88 points, minimum 20 in each section
IELTS Graduate
- School of Business Graduate: 7 overall, with a minimum of 7.0 in each subsection
- All other graduate programs- 6.5 total band score
Pearson Academic Test of English
- A minimum score of 59, all applicants
George Mason University Cost of Attendance
The table below shows the cost of attendance at George Mason University for 2020-21:
| Fee Type |
Undergraduate (Amount in USD) |
Graduate (Amount in USD) |
| Tuition (Full-time) |
32,970 |
25,430 |
| Room and Meal plan |
12,090 (On-campus)
12,786 (Off-campus) |
20,400 (Off-campus) |
| Transportation |
1,260 (On-campus)
2,334 (Off-campus) |
2,334 (Off-campus) |
| Personal Expenses |
2,336 (On-campus)
4,238 (Off-campus) |
4,238 (Off-campus) |
| Additional Costs |
1,278 |
1,278 |
