Neuroscience (B.S.)
The goal of the Neuroscience major is to provide students with a strong background in fundamental basic sciences and exposure to the integrative nature of neuroscience to allow students to understand nervous system function from a variety of perspectives. Students will emerge with a strong foundation in basic science and applied neuroscience that will make them competitive for post-graduate studies or employment in industry, government, health, and education.
The degree program is offered jointly through the Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology. During the freshman year, or as early as possible, students interested in neuroscience should consul one of these departments to obtain information from an undergraduate advisor.
The Neuroscience major will lead to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.
Major Requirements
Major requirements are divided into three categories: (A) Basic science courses, (B) Neuroscience core courses, and (C) Electives. Elective courses are organized into two sub-categories and students must select from each; this is to ensure breadth of exposure. Students must receive a grade of C-minus or better in all required major courses. A grade point average of 2.0 (C) is required for graduation. The major requires a minimum of three unique courses that do not count towards requirements of other declared majors.
Basic Science Courses
Students may double-count up to 11 - 12 credits with University General Education requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Math | 4 | |
| Calculus I | ||
| Statistics | 3-4 | |
| Statistical Methods in Psychology | ||
or STA 1020 | Elementary Statistics | |
or STA 2210 | Probability and Statistics | |
| Biology | 8 | |
| Basic Life Mechanisms | ||
| Fundamentals of Cell Biology for Neuroscience | ||
| Chemistry | 14 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry | 3 | |
| Cellular Biochemistry | ||
or CHM 5600 | Survey of Biochemistry | |
| Physics | 10 | |
| Select one of the following sequences: | ||
Option 1: | ||
| Physics for the Life Sciences I and Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory | ||
| Physics for the Life Sciences II and Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory | ||
Option 2: | ||
| University Physics for Scientists I and University Physics Laboratory | ||
| University Physics for Scientists II and University Physics Laboratory II | ||
| Social/Behavioral Science | 4 | |
| Introductory Psychology | ||
| Total Credits | 46-47 | |
Neuroscience Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 3200 | Human Physiology | 3 |
| PSY 3330 | Systems Neuroscience | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Elective Courses
Select 18 credits, with a minimum of 6 credits each from the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience and Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience categories. Students may choose directed study courses to complete the 18 credit requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| BIO 4220 | Biological Dimensions of Evolutionary Psychology | 3 |
| KIN 3550 | Motor Learning and Control | 3 |
| NEU 4200 | Neurobiology of Addiction | 3 |
| NFS 5170 | Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Brain | 3 |
| PHI 5230 | Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| PHI 5550 | Philosophy of Mind | 4 |
| PSY 3040 | Psychology of Perception: Fundamental Processes | 3 |
| PSY 3060 | Psychology of Learning and Memory: Fundamental Processes | 3 |
| PSY 3080 | Cognitive Psychology: Fundamental Processes | 3 |
| PSY 4140 | Hormones and Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 5040 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSY 5070 | Neuropharmacology | 3 |
| PSY 5080 | Cellular Basis of Animal Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 5330 | Human Neuropsychology | 3 |
| PSY 5440 | Developmental Neuropsychology | 3 |
| Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | ||
| BIO 3070 | Genetics | 4-5 |
| BIO 4120 | Comparative Physiology | 4 |
| BIO 4690 | Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology | 3 |
| BIO 5040 | Biometry | 4 |
| BIO 5620 | Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BIO 5660 | Neural Signaling in Health and Disease | 3 |
| BIO 5890 | Neuroplasticity | 3 |
| BIO 5996 | Senior Research | 1-2 |
| BIO 6055 | Biology of the Eye | 3 |
| BIO 6180 | Membrane Biology | 3 |
| BIO 6190 | Advanced Special Topics | 6 |
| BIO 6690 | Special Topics in Neurobiology | 3 |
| NEU 5470 | Preclinical and Clinical Assessments of Neurologic Disease I | 3 |
| NEU 6470 | Preclinical and Clinical Assessments of Neurologic Disease II | 3 |
| PHY 3750 | Introduction to Computational Methods | 1 |
| PHY 6750 | Applied Computational Methods | 2 |
| ROC 6710 | Physics in Medicine | 3 |
| Directed Study | ||
| NEU 4050 | Science Advocacy and Public Engagement | 2 |
| NEU 4990 | Introduction to Research Practice | 1 |
| NEU 4991 | Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | 1 |
| NEU 4992 | Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | 2 |
| NEU 4993 | Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | 3 |
| NEU 4994 | Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | 4 |
| NEU 6990 | Honors Introduction to Research Practice | 1 |
| NEU 6992 | Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | 2 |
| NEU 6993 | Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | 3 |
| NEU 6994 | Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | 4 |
| NEU 6998 | Honors Thesis in Neuroscience | 3 |
Neuroscience Honors (B.S. Program)
To be recommended for an honors degree from this program, a student must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.30 and complete a minimum of 14 honors course credits including:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| One 42XX level Honors Seminar | 3 | |
| NEU 6990 | Honors Introduction to Research Practice | 1 |
| Complete at least two credits of Honors research with one of the following | 2 | |
| Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | ||
| Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | ||
| Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience | ||
| Complete an Honors thesis | 3 | |
| Honors Thesis in Neuroscience | ||
| Remaining credits to be earned in honors sections or honors options within the Neuroscience major coursework. | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
NEU 4050 Science Advocacy and Public Engagement Cr. 2
This course will provide students with the opportunity to understand diverse types of science media as well as best practices and strategies for interacting with different kinds of audiences. Offered Fall.
Prerequisites: BIO 2550 with a minimum grade of C-, BIO 2600 with a minimum grade of C-, or COM 3150 with a minimum grade of C-
Equivalent: BIO 4050
NEU 4200 Neurobiology of Addiction Cr. 3
An in-depth examination of the neurobiology of addiction in the context of psychopharmacology. Emphasis is on neurochemical and neuropharmacological aspects of drug and related addictions, using molecular, cellular, and clinical approaches. Offered Fall.
Prerequisites: BIO 3200 with a minimum grade of C-, PSY 3120 with a minimum grade of C-, or PSY 3300 with a minimum grade of C-
NEU 4990 Introduction to Research Practice Cr. 1
This seminar is an introduction to laboratory safety, research practice and scientific integrity for undergraduate students engaged in independent research. It will be a co-requisite that each student must take with their first enrollment in a NEU directed study course. The course is structured to provide instruction in basic laboratory safety and accepted standards for research conduct. It will also provide professional development and networking opportunities for students interested in careers in research and the biomedical sciences. Instruction will be provided in the form of reading assignments, discussions, lectures and case studies. Offered Fall, Winter.
NEU 4991 Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience Cr. 1
Laboratory or academic research performed under the mentorship of a faculty member. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: NEU 4990 with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)
Repeatable for 5 Credits
NEU 4992 Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience Cr. 2
Laboratory or academic research performed under the mentorship of a faculty member. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: NEU 4990 with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)
Repeatable for 6 Credits
NEU 4993 Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience Cr. 3
Laboratory or academic research performed under the mentorship of a faculty member. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: NEU 4990 with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)
Repeatable for 6 Credits
NEU 4994 Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience Cr. 4
Laboratory or academic research performed under the mentorship of a faculty member. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: NEU 4990 with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)
Repeatable for 8 Credits
NEU 5470 Preclinical and Clinical Assessments of Neurologic Disease I Cr. 3
An exploration of central and peripheral nervous system diseases from four perspectives: 1) broad disease connections 2) disease mechanisms 3) preclinical animal models 4) clinical trials and outcomes. Diseases covered are from mature research fields, with known molecular mechanisms, animal models and disease-modifying therapies in clinical trials. Students will master communication and teaching skills using: short presentations to the class, active participation in class discussions and peer-performance assessments.Students will research and present material, coordinate information between student groups, and moderate class discussions. Offered Fall.
Prerequisites: (BIO 3200 with a minimum grade of C- and 1 of (STA 1020 with a minimum grade of C-, STA 2210 with a minimum grade of C-, or PSY 2030 with a minimum grade of C-))
NEU 6470 Preclinical and Clinical Assessments of Neurologic Disease II Cr. 3
A continuation of NEU 5470 focusing on diseases from maturing research fields, where disease etiology may be ambiguous for many patients, and there may be relatively few molecular mechanisms, animal models and therapeutics available. Students will gain an appreciation of how translational research develops from pre-clinical models to clinical trials and practice. Offered Winter.
Prerequisites: NEU 5470 with a minimum grade of C-
NEU 6990 Honors Introduction to Research Practice Cr. 1
This seminar is an introduction to laboratory safety, research practice and scientific integrity for undergraduate students engaged in independent research. It will be a co-requisite that each student must take with their first enrollment in a NEU Honors directed study course. The course is structured to provide instruction in basic laboratory safety and accepted standards for research conduct. It will also provide professional development and networking opportunities for students interested in careers in research and the biomedical sciences. Instruction will be provided in the form of reading assignments, discussions, lectures and case studies. Offered Fall, Winter.
NEU 6992 Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience Cr. 2
Laboratory or academic research performed under the mentorship of a faculty member. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: NEU 6990 with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)
Repeatable for 6 Credits
NEU 6993 Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience Cr. 3
Laboratory or academic research performed under the mentorship of a faculty member. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: NEU 6990 with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)
Repeatable for 6 Credits
NEU 6994 Honors Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience Cr. 4
Laboratory or academic research performed under the mentorship of a faculty member. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: NEU 6990 with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)
Repeatable for 8 Credits
NEU 6998 Honors Thesis in Neuroscience Cr. 3
Original laboratory or academic research performed under the guidance of a faculty member for the purpose of completing an Honor’s thesis required for the completion of an Honors Degree. Offered Every Term.
Prerequisites: NEU 6990 with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)