Academic Programs Catalog

College of Natural Science

Interdepartmental Degree Programs

Undergraduate Program
Neuroscience

The Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience is for students who wish to pursue a career in which a broad-based knowledge of the structure and function of the nervous system is necessary, including careers in research, education, healthcare or business. It is also intended for those students who seek admission to graduate study in neuroscience or health-related professional schools. In addition to core requirements, students can concentrate in cellular and developmental neuroscience; behavioral and systems neuroscience; or cognitive neuroscience.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience
 

  1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Neuroscience major is met by completing Neuroscience 311L.  That course is referenced in item 3. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement. Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
  2. The  requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
a. One of the following pairs of courses (5 or 6 credits):
(1) CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
(2) CEM 151 General and Descriptive Chemistry 4
CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
(3) CEM 181H Honors Chemistry I 4
CEM 185H Honors Chemistry Laboratory I 2
(4) LB 171 Principles of Chemistry I 4
LB 171L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I 1
b. One of the following pairs of courses (6 credits):
(1) CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
(2) CEM 351 Organic Chemistry I 3
CEM 352 Organic Chemistry II 3
(3) CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
LB 271 Organic Chemistry 3
c. One of the following pairs of courses (6 or 8 credits):
(1) PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3
PHY 232 Introductory Physics II 3
(2) PHY 183 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 4
PHY 184 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II 4
(3) PHY 193H Honors Physics I-Mechanics 4
PHY 294H Honors Physics II-Electromagnetism 4
(4) LB 273 Physics I 4
LB 274 Physics II 4
(5) PHY 221 Studio Physics for Life Scientists I 4
PHY 222 Studio Physics for Life Scientists II 4
d. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
MTH 132 Calculus I 3
MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
LB 118 Calculus I 4
e. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
STT 231 Statistics for Scientists 3
STT 421 Statistics I 3
f. Both of the following courses (8 credits):
BMB 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry 4
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology 4
g. One of the following groups of courses (8 or 9 credits):
(1) BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 3
BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
(2) BS 181H Honors Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BS 182H Honors Organismal and Population Biology 3
BS 191H Honors Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
(3) LB 144 Biology I: Organismal Biology 4
LB 145 Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology 5
h. One of the following groups of courses (4 or 8 credits):
(1) PSL 310 Physiology for Pre-Health Professionals 4
(2) PSL 431 Human Physiology I 4
PSL 432 Human Physiology II 4
i. All of the following courses (8 credits):
NEU 301 Introduction to Neuroscience I 3
NEU 302 Introduction to Neuroscience II 3
NEU 311L Neuroscience Laboratory (W) 2
j. One course from each of the following groups of courses (6 or 7 credits):
(1) PHM 350 Introductory Human Pharmacology 3
PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addiction 3
PHM 480 Special Problems 3
(2) IBIO 341 Fundamental Genetics 4
MMG 409 Eukaryotic Cell Biology 3
k. Complete 15 credits in courses from one of the following concentrations:
Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience
IBIO 341 Fundamental Genetics 4
IBIO 425 Cells and Development (W) 4
MMG 404 Human Genetics 3
MMG 409 Eukaryotic Cell Biology 3
NEU 416 Development of the Nervous System Through the Lifespan 3
NEU 417 Instrumental Methods of Analysis in Neuroscience 3
NEU 420 Neurobiology of Disease 3
NEU 440 Synaptic Transmission 3
NEU 450 The Autonomic Nervous System 3
NEU 460 Current Approaches in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 3
NEU 490 Special Problems in Neuroscience 1 to 3
NEU 492 Special Topics in Neuroscience 1 to 3
PHM 422 Fundamentals of Neuropharmacology 3
PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addiction 3
PHM 480 Special Problems 1 to 3
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 409, IBIO 341 or PHM 431 may not be used for requirement 3. j. (2) and this concentration. No more than 3 credits each of NEU 490 and NEU 492 may count towards this requirement. Students must have approval from the Neuroscience academic advisor to earn credit in NEU 490, NEU 492, or PHM 480 for this concentration.
Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience
IBIO 313 Animal Behavior 3
IBIO 405 Neural Basis of Animal Behavior 3
NEU 310 Psychology and Biology of Human Sexuality 3
NEU 416 Development of the Nervous System Through the Lifespan 3
NEU 417 Instrumental Methods of Analysis in Neuroscience 3
NEU 420 Neurobiology of Disease 3
NEU 440 Synaptic Transmission 3
NEU 450 The Autonomic Nervous System 3
NEU 460 Current Approaches in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 3
NEU 490 Special Problems in Neuroscience 1 to 3
NEU 492 Special Topics in Neuroscience 1 to 3
PHM 422 Fundamentals of Neuropharmacology 3
PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addiction 3
PHM 480 Special Problems 1 to 3
PSY 209 Brain and Behavior 3
PSY 302 Sensation and Perception 3
PSY 333 The Neurobiology of Food Intake and Overeating 3
PSY 409 Psychobiology of Behavioral Development (W) 3
PSY 410 Neuroscience of Learning and Memory (W) 3
PSY 411 Hormones and Behavior (W) 3
PSY 413 Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience (W) 4
Pharmacology and Toxicology 431 may not be used for requirement 3. j. (1) and this concentration. No more than 3 credits each of NEU 490 and NEU 492 may count towards this requirement. Students must have approval from the Neuroscience academic advisor to earn credit in NEU 490, NEU 492, PHM 480 for this concentration.
Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience
LIN 455 Neurolinguistics 3
LIN 463 Introduction to Cognitive Science 3
NEU 417 Instrumental Methods in Neuroscience 3
NEU 490 Special Problems in Neuroscience 1 to 3
NEU 492 Special Topics in Neuroscience 1 to 3
PHL 101 Introduction to Philosophy 3
PHL 462 Philosophy of Mind 3
PSY 200 Cognitive Psychology 3
PSY 209 Brain and Behavior 3
PSY 301 Cognitive Neuroscience 3
PSY 302 Sensation and Perception 3
PSY 401 Expertise and Skill (W) 3
PSY 410 Neuroscience of Learning and Memory (W) 3
No more than 3 credits each of NEU 490 and NEU 492 may count towards this requirement. Students must have approval from the Neuroscience academic advisor to earn credit in NEU 490, NEU 492 for this concentration.