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Neurobiology, BS

University of Wisconsin
Madison , United States
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Program Overview

Neurobiology, BS

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral (nerves in body) nervous system. The Neurobiology major provides a rigorous education in neuroscience principles that prepares students for health-related, academic, and careers in health-related and scientific industries. Some of our graduates go on to consulting firms, law school, and nonprofit organizations. UWMadison has more than 90 faculty engaged in neuroscience research. Undergraduates have access to this research faculty in formal classroom environments and through undergraduate research opportunities.


Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate Neurobiology students are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of the worlds leading researchers. Many opportunities for laboratory research experience are available on campus for undergraduate students, and this type of experience is strongly encouraged. Such an experience provides students the opportunity to apply what theyre learning and complement their knowledge with practical skills. Research experience is highly valued by employers, graduate programs, and professional schools.


About the Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to give students a solid foundation in basic biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics before going on to study neuroscience at the molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive levels. It is strongly encouraged that students engage in independent research in a neuroscience laboratory on campus. The Neurobiology Major Steering Committee is committed to increasing opportunities for all students with interests in neuroscience and helping students accomplish their academic goals at UWMadison. This major is tailored to attract students from a diverse array of backgrounds.


How to Get in

  • No application required.
  • All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare.
  • Courses required to get in: None
  • GPA requirements to get in: None
  • Credits required to get in: None
  • Other: None Students who intend to major in Neurobiology may not combine this major (double major) with the Biology major.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below.


  • BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A & Part B
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.


Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

  • Mathematics: Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement.
  • Language: Complete the third unit of a language other than English.
  • L&S Breadth: Complete:
    • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and
    • 12 credits of Social Science; and
    • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science.
  • Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: Complete at least 108 credits.
  • Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework: Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level.
  • Major: Declare and complete at least one major.
  • Total Credits: Complete at least 120 credits.
  • UW-Madison Experience: Complete both:
    • 30 credits in residence, overall, and
    • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
  • Quality of Work:
    • 2.000 in all coursework at UWMadison
    • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UWMadison

Requirements for the Major

Math, Statistics, Chemistry & Physics

  • Mathematics: Complete one of the following:
    • MATH 211: Survey of Calculus 1 (5 credits)
    • MATH 217: Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II (5 credits)
    • MATH 221: Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 (5 credits)
  • Statistics: Complete one of the following:
    • STAT 371: Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences (3 credits)
    • STAT 340: Data Science Modeling II (3 credits)
    • STAT/B M I 541: Introduction to Biostatistics (3 credits)
  • General Chemistry: Complete one option:
    • CHEM 103 & CHEM 104: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II (5-9 credits)
    • CHEM 109: Advanced General Chemistry (5 credits)
    • CHEM 115 & CHEM 116: Chemical Principles I and Chemical Principles II (5-9 credits)
  • Organic Chemistry: Complete one of the following:
    • CHEM 341: Elementary Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
    • CHEM 343 & CHEM 345: Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry II (3-6 credits)
  • Physics: Choose a first and second semester physics option (8-10 credits)

Biology and Neurobiology

Complete 30 credits from General Biology, Neurobiology, Lab/Research Experience, and Additional Elective (if required) sections.


General Biology

Choose one option:


  • Option A, Introductory Biology: 10 credits
    • ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 151: Introductory Biology (5 credits)
    • ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152: Introductory Biology (5 credits)
  • Option B, Biology Core Curriculum: 16-18 credits
    • BIOCORE 381: Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics (5 credits)
    • BIOCORE 383: Cellular Biology (5 credits)
    • BIOCORE 485: Principles of Physiology (5 credits)
    • BIOCORE 587: Biological Interactions (5 credits)
  • Option C, Animal Biology: 10 credits
    • ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101: Animal Biology (5 credits)
    • ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102: Animal Biology Laboratory (5 credits)

Neurobiology

Required Neurobiology Courses: Complete all three


  • ZOOLOGY/PSYCH 523: Neurobiology (3 credits)
  • PSYCH 454: Behavioral Neuroscience (3 credits)
  • ZOOLOGY 500: Undergraduate Neurobiology Seminar (1 credit) Distributed Neuroscience Coursework: Choose 3 courses (9 credits)

Lab/Research Experience

Students are only required to take 1 of the 3 options below; Directed Study (recommended), Neuroscience Laboratory Course, or Honors/Senior Thesis.


Additional Electives (if needed)

Students may take additional credits from the list of Distributed Neuroscience Coursework, Independent/Directed study, or the following list, to attain 30 credits in the major.


Residence and Quality of Work

  • 2.000 GPA in all major courses
  • 2.000 GPA on 15 upper-level major credits, taken in residence
  • 15 credits in the major, taken on the UWMadison campus

Honors in the Major

Students may declare Honors in the Neurobiology Major in consultation with their Neurobiology undergraduate advisor.


Honors in the Major Requirements

To earn Honors in the Major in Neurobiology, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:


  • Earn a 3.300 University GPA
  • Earn a 3.300 GPA for all major courses
  • Complete 14 credits, taken for Honors, with individual grades of B or better, while in residence, to include:
    • Two courses from PSYCH 454, ZOOLOGY/PSYCH 523, and ZOOLOGY 500
    • One course from the Distributed Neuroscience course lists, taken for honors credit
    • A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis, for a total of 6 credits

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and physics.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the ionic basis for the neuronal membrane potential and action potential, and as well as the factors that determine neuronal excitability.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the basic mechanisms for synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter release, postsynaptic effects, and modulation of pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms.
  4. Differentiate between examples of neuroplasticity at cellular, systems, and organismal levels.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of central and peripheral neuroanatomy, basic functions of brain regions, and well-known neural pathways.
  6. Demonstrate understanding of basic principles underlying motor function, sensory function, emotion, autonomic regulation, and higher order cognitive functions.
  7. Demonstrate how experimental tools in neuroscience are used to address experimental questions.

Four-Year Plan

This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests.


  • Freshman:
    • Fall: Communication A, Quantitative Reasoning A, Foreign Language, CHEM 103 or 109
    • Spring: Ethnic Studies, MATH 221, L&S Breadth, CHEM 104
  • Sophomore:
    • Fall: BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151, CHEM 343, INTER-LS 210, Social Science Breadth
    • Spring: BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152, CHEM 345, Social Science Breadth, PHYSICS 207
  • Junior:
    • Fall: Declare the Major, ZOOLOGY/PSYCH 523, STAT 371, L&S Breadth, PHYSICS 208, Lab Research
    • Spring: PSYCH 454, Distributed Neuroscience Course, L&S Breadth, Elective, Lab Research
  • Senior:
    • Fall: Distributed Neuroscience Course, Social Science Breadth, Electives, Lab Research
    • Spring: ZOOLOGY 500, Distributed Neuroscience Course, L&S Breadth, Social Science Breadth, Lab Research

Advising and Careers

Students majoring in Neurobiology may not combine this major with the Biology major in either the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences or in the College of Letters and Science.


  • Declare or Cancel This Major: Make an appointment to meet with a Neurobiology advisor.
  • SuccessWorks: Provides one-on-one career advising, events, and resources to explore career options and build valuable internship and research experience.
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