Neuroscience, BS

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 program 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 program 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 problems and 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 current research.
• Students will be able to communicate neurobiological concepts, hypotheses, rationale, and experimental data both in oral and written forms to diverse audiences ranging from experts to lay persons.
• Students will be able to synthesize neurobiological, psychological, cognitive, philosophical, mathematical, physical, chemical, ecological and 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.

Combined Bachelor's/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

Credit may be earned for BIOL 222L or for the BIOL 214L and BIOL 215L sequence, but not both. Enrollment in BIOL 222L after completing BIOL 214L requires permission and is subject to availability.

b

BIOL 358 Animal Behavior may be counted as either a Neurobiology Core Course or an Ecology/Evolution Course, but not both.

c

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

d

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

e

3 credit hours of BIOL 388 (or NEUR 388) and 3 credit hours of BIOL 388S (or NEUR 388S) are required to fulfill the Undergraduate Research Requirement for the Neuroscience BS. 

Sample Plan of Study

a

Unified General Education Requirement.