Program Overview
Neuroscience
Overview
The Neuroscience program at the University at Buffalo (UB) is designed for students who are interested in studying the most complex organ in the human body. The program is housed in UB's medical school, providing students with access to expert faculty, state-of-the-art labs, research projects, and opportunities through UB's affiliated hospitals and clinics.
What will I learn?
As a neuroscience major, you will learn how the brain and central nervous system function, from the molecular level through behavior. You will study the dysfunctional processes associated with neurological diseases and the treatments that can help people live healthier lives. You will typically start with required classes and labs in biology, chemistry, physiology, neuroscience, and related topics, then explore your interests through electives in areas like animal behavior, genetics, hormones, and biopsychology.
Research Opportunities
At UB, you can be part of an on-campus research team, working with UB faculty to solve complex problems. Neuroscience is a diverse discipline, which means you will find faculty throughout UB conducting neuroscience research. Students can also choose their own research topic and work on an independent research project with support from a mentor.
Career Options
Whether you want to do research in a lab, work with patients who need your expertise, or use your talent in some other way, a degree in neuroscience gives you flexibility throughout your career. Neuroscience grads have gone on to work for healthcare organizations, schools, private companies, research institutions, universities, or government agencies. Some of the career choices may require additional training and include:
- Clinical research assistant
- Health care manager
- Lab technician
- Pharmaceutical sales representative
- Pharmacy technician
- Research scientist
- Science writer or editor
Some students decide to go to medical school, pharmacy school, or other professional schools, or they go to graduate school. Getting an advanced degree can lead to a career as a physician, psychologist, professor, or social worker, to name just a few of your options.
Faculty
One of the best things about this program is that you can learn from neuroscience experts throughout UB. This means you might take a class from a physiology professor one day, a toxicology professor another day, and a neurology professor the next day. Our faculty's specialties within this program include:
- Biochemistry
- Biological sciences
- Biophysics
- Communicative disorders and sciences
- Exercise and nutrition science
- Microbiology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Pathology
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical sciences
- Physiology
- Psychiatry
- Rehabilitation sciences
- Toxicology
Regardless of which department they are from, they share one thing in common—a desire to help train the next generation. At UB, students learn from SUNY Distinguished Professors and others who have been recognized for their expertise and love of teaching.
