Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Neuroscience

Program Overview

Neuroscience is the study of the structure and function of the nervous system at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels, and of how the nervous system controls cognition, emotions, and behavior. The BS in Neuroscience provides both breadth and depth of understanding of these topics, and equips students to pursue multiple career paths. The field of neuroscience is both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, using concepts and methods from biology, biophysics, chemistry, cognitive science, computer science, engineering, physiology, and psychology. The BS in Neuroscience allows students who are interested in nervous system structure and function to explore this area from multiple perspectives. Two semesters of independent research are required (including BIOL 388S or NEUR 388S ).

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to demonstrate and apply knowledge of fundamental neurobiological concepts, including cellular,molecular, and systems neurobiology to basic biological questions, medical problemsand biotechnology.
• Students will be able to propose hypotheses using observations and interpretation of existing data, design experiments to test their hypotheses, make predictions, collect and analyze data, and draw appropriate conclusions.
• Students will be able to critically analyze published scientific research in neurobiology, connecting previously learned information to currentresearch.
• Students will be able to communicate neurobiologicalconcepts, hypotheses, rationale, and experimental data both in oral and written formsto diverse audiences ranging from experts to lay persons.
• Students will be able to synthesize neurobiological, psychological, cognitive, philosophical, mathematical, physical, chemical, ecologicaland evolutionary principles to examine the integrative aspect of neurobiology as a science.

Advising

Faculty advisors are assigned to students at the time of major declaration. All students are required to meet with their departmental advisors at least once each semester to discuss their academic program, receive clearance for electronic course registration, and obtain approval for any drops, adds, or withdrawals. Please contact the undergraduate services coordinator in the Department of Biology for information about major declaration.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

a

BIOL 375 can satisfy the Neurobiology Core requirement, or the Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Core requirement, but not both.

b

At least one course must be a non-BIOL course.

c

Minimum of 6 credit hours of undergraduate research is required.

Sample Plan of Study

a

Unified General Education Requirement.