Program Overview

Neuroscience, Bachelor of Science

The Neuroscience major is an interdisciplinary program that combines coursework from the departments of Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Cognitive Science, and Psychological and Brain Sciences. The major provides a broad overview of the field of neuroscience, as well as advanced training in one of four focus areas: cellular and molecular neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, or systems neuroscience.

General Information

• In their freshman year, students will take either AS.200.141 Foundations of Brain, Behavior and Cognition or AS.050.105 Introduction to Cognitive Neuropsychology.
• Students interested in attending medical school will need to take a second semester of organic chemistry and its corresponding laboratory, and biochemistry to meet medical school admission requirements.
• Students are required to select their advanced neuroscience elective courses from one of four approved focus areas.
• To apply towards the major, all courses must be taken for a letter grade and a grade of C- or better is required.

Writing and Communication Requirement in the Major

Neuroscience students must take 6 credits of Writing and Communication foundational ability (FA#1) courses within the major. The required two semesters of Scientific Communications and Mentoring will satisfy 3 of the 6 credits.

Neuroscience Major Requirements

The following courses are required for the Neuroscience major:

• Neuroscience Sequence:
  • AS.050.203 Neuroscience: Cognitive
  • AS.080.250 Neuroscience Laboratory
  • AS.080.305 Neuroscience: Cellular and Systems I
  • AS.080.306 Neuroscience: Cellular and Systems II
• Mathematics, Statistics, and Science Courses:
  • EN.553.211 Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
  • AS.110.106 Calculus I
  • AS.110.107 Calculus II
  • AS.030.101 Introductory Chemistry I
  • AS.030.102 Introductory Chemistry II
  • AS.030.205 Introductory Organic Chemistry I
  • AS.171.101 General Physics
  • AS.173.111 General Physics Laboratory I
  • AS.171.102 General Physics II
  • AS.173.112 General Physics Laboratory II
• Biology Sequence:
  • Select one biology course with lab from the following options
• Advanced Neuroscience Elective Courses and Focus Area:
  • Nine credits of 300-level or higher approved courses from one of four focus areas
  • Three credits of 300-level or higher approved course outside of focus area
• Neuroscience Research and Scientific Communication & Mentoring:
  • AS.080.541 Research Neuroscience Neuroscience Majors
  • AS.080.499 Scientific Communication and Mentoring

Sample Program

The following course sequence is only a suggestion and is based on the assumption that there are no AP/IB/TR credits applied.

Honors in the Major

To graduate with honors in Neuroscience, students must:

• Earn a GPA of 3.8 or better in major requirements
• Earn 6 credits of required research
• Present research findings at the Day of Research in Engineering, Arts, Medicine and Sciences (DREAMS)
• Receive a recommendation from research mentor

Neuroscience Undergraduate Honors Thesis

The Neuroscience Undergraduate Honors Thesis program is designed for students wishing to distinguish themselves via the writing and defense of a thesis. To be eligible, students must:

• Design and conduct an experiment in Neuroscience under the direction of a mentor
• Submit an application, a recommendation letter from the primary mentor, and a research proposal
• Earn 9 credits of Independent Research
• Write an Undergraduate Honors Thesis
• Defend the Thesis orally to a committee
• Present research at the DREAMS conference
• Attend a weekly Honors Thesis Seminar
• Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in all required courses for the Neuroscience major