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 coordinator for 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.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
BIOL 214 | Genes, Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
BIOL 214L | Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab | 1 |
BIOL 215 | Cells and Proteins | 3 |
BIOL 215L | Cells and Proteins Laboratory | 1 |
BIOL 216 | Development and Physiology | 3 |
BIOL 216L | Development and Physiology Lab | 1 |
NEUR 166 | Explorations in Neuroscience | 1 |
NEUR 201 | Fundamentals of Neuroscience I | 3 |
NEUR 202 | Fundamentals of Neuroscience II | 3 |
MATH 125 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I | 4 |
or MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I |
MATH 126 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II | 4 |
or MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II |
STAT 312 | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science | 3 |
or STAT 313 | Statistics for Experimenters |
CHEM 105 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
CHEM 223 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 224 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
PHYS 115 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
or PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics |
PHYS 116 | Introductory Physics II | 4 |
or PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism |
| Elementary Computer Programming | |
| Programming in Java | |
| Design and Analysis of Biological Experiments | |
| Sensory Biology | |
| Animal Behavior | |
| Introduction to Neurobiology | |
| Neurobiology of Behavior | |
| Brain Evolution and Function a | |
| Nervous System Development | |
| Biological Mechanisms of Brain Disorders | |
| Methods Neuroscience Research | |
| The Neurobiology of Homeostasis | |
| Behavior Genetics | |
| Cell Biology | |
| Genetics | |
| Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | |
| Introductory Biochemistry I | |
| Evolution | |
| Principles of Ecology | |
| Brain Evolution and Function a | |
| Human Learning and the Brain | |
| Brain Evolution and Function | |
| Computational Neuroscience | |
| Seminar on Biological Processes in Learning and Cognition | |
| Computational Perception | |
| Human Cognition in Evolution and Development | |
| Social Cognition and the Brain | |
| Neuroscience of Communication and Communication Disorders | |
| Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders | |
| Mathematics and Brain | |
| Music, Mind, and Medicine | |
| Science of Ethics: The Neuroscience, Psychology, and Behavioral Economics of Morality | |
| Brain, Mind and Consciousness: The Science and Philosophy of Mind | |
| Physiological Psychology | |
| Neurodevelopmental Disabilities | |
| Undergraduate Research | |
| Undergraduate Research |
| Undergraduate Research - SAGES Capstone | |
| Undergraduate Research SAGES Capstone |
| Advanced Undergraduate Research | |
| Advanced Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience |