Program Overview

Introduction to the Biomedical Neuroscience Online Graduate Certificate

The field of neuroscience is a rapidly changing area that has a large impact on several fields of medicine, including public health, public policy, and sports medicine, as well as on the military and the pharmaceutical industry. The last decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in our understanding of normal brain function across the lifespan and how brain function is altered by aging and neurodegenerative disease.

Program Overview

The Graduate Biomedical Neuroscience Certificate is designed to provide postgraduate students and working professionals, whose professions are impacted by the field of neuroscience, with an understanding of normal brain function and the clinical expression and underlying pathogenesis of common neurological disorders. The certificate is based on successful completion of 4-5 courses covering topics that will provide students with the tools required to understand the most common nervous system-related issues facing our society today.

Program Structure

• The program is offered by the College of Medicine at the University of Florida.
• It is designed for working professionals as well as postbaccalaureate students who would like to improve their applications to either graduate or medical school.
• The program is offered fully online, allowing students to further their education and enhance their career without relocating or sacrificing commitments to their family or career.

Admission Criteria

• Students are only admitted for the Fall term.
• Applications to begin Fall 2025 will be accepted through June 1, 2025.
• Applications submitted after June 1, 2025, must be for Fall 2026.
• All applications are reviewed by the Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, UF Admissions Office, and UF Graduate School before decisions can be sent out to applicants.

Curriculum

• The certificate curriculum includes courses that provide students with the tools required to understand the most common nervous system-related issues facing our society today.
• Specific courses include:
  • Fundamentals of Neuroscience
  • Aging and the Brain
  • Molecular Pathobiology of Neural Disease
  • Functional Human Neuroanatomy
  • Neurobiology of Behavioral Disorders
  • Nobel Prizes
  • Learning & Memory
  • Homeostasis and the Brain
  • Organization and Development of the Nervous System
  • Disorders of the Developing Nervous System

Faculty

• The teaching faculties for this graduate certificate are from the Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Psychology.
• Faculty members include:
  • Jeremy Flint, Ph.D.
  • Ashok Kumar, Ph.D.
  • Ronald Mandel, Ph.D.
  • Alfonso Martin Peña, Ph.D.
  • Nick Musselwhite, Ph.D.
  • Matthew Sarkisian, Ph.D.

Cost of Certificate

• The tuition for this program is $550.00 per credit hour, regardless of residency.
• Fees are approximately $36 per credit hour.
• Part-time registration and financial aid: Graduate students should be aware that in order to qualify for most financial aid programs, students must be enrolled at least half-time.
• Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs are not eligible for federal student aid, but may be eligible for Alternative loans.

Alumni Testimonials

• Valerie Harjani: The program has strengthened her medical school application and delved deeper into her interest in neuroscience.
• Leila A.: The program has opened her eyes to many neurological subjects and provided a great foundation to advance in the field of biomedical sciences.
• Victoria Lord: The program has helped her strengthen her medical school application and explore her interest in neuroscience.