The MS degree program in Neuroscience is a terminal degree for students admitted into the Neuroscience PhD program who cannot complete the PhD program for personal or medical reasons. Enrollment of graduate students as master's degree candidates is not encouraged and is reserved for special circumstances that must be approved by the Executive Committee of the Neuroscience Graduate Program. The master's curriculum includes all course work required of PhD students for a minimum of 24 units and successful completion of both the written and oral portions of the qualifying examination. Students may opt for a thesis or non-thesis master's degree. The thesis master's degree requires presentation of a written thesis based on original research to a Neuroscience thesis committee and submission of the thesis to the Graduate School for publication. The non-thesis master's degree requires a formal research paper that is approved by three members of the Neuroscience Graduate Program faculty. The qualifying examination will serve as the comprehensive master's examination for non-thesis master's degrees. Students must also satisfy residency and other requirements of the Graduate School.