Program Overview

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Neuroscience BS Program

The Neuroscience BS program at Drexel University is an interdisciplinary joint program between the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems. This program is designed for students interested in the biological bases of thought and behavior, focusing on understanding, repairing, or enhancing neural systems.

About the Program

Drexel's neuroscience BS program is well-suited for students considering professional careers in cognitive, clinical, computational, or systems neuroscience; medicine (e.g., neurology, psychiatry); healthcare; biomedical research; data science; or animal science, as well as other research health-related fields. The highly interdisciplinary neuroscience curriculum reflects the present and anticipates the future of this rapidly evolving field, offering students strong foundational knowledge across many different areas, including biology, psychology, mathematics, biomedical engineering, statistics, neuroethics, and computer science.

Degree Requirements

• Major: Neuroscience
• Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Calendar Type: Quarter
• Minimum Required Credits: 186.5
• Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
• Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.1501
• Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code:

General Education Core Requirements

The following courses are required for the General Education Core:

• CIVC 101: Introduction to Civic Engagement (1.0 credit)
• COOP 101: Career Management and Professional Development (1.0 credit)
• ENGL 101 or 111: Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research (3.0 credits)
• ENGL 102 or 112: Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing (3.0 credits)
• ENGL 103 or 113: Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres (3.0 credits)
• NEUS 201: Academics & Career: Neuroscience (1.0 credit)
• UNIV S101 or R101: The Drexel Experience (1.0 credit)

Developing Quantitative Reasoning

Complete the following sequence:

• MATH 121: Calculus I
• MATH 122: Calculus II
• MATH 201: Linear Algebra

Engaging the Natural World

• BIO 131: Cells and Biomolecules (4.0 credits)
• BIO 134: Cells and Biomolecules Lab (1.0 credit)
• ENVS 212: Evolution (4.0 credits)

Analyzing Cultures and Histories

Select a minimum of 7.0 credits in 100-400 level courses in the following:

• Any HIST (History)
• Any PHIL (Philosophy)

Understanding Society and Human Behavior

Select a minimum of 6.0 credits from 100-400 level courses in the following:

• Any ANTH (Anthropology)
• Any ENGL (English)
• Any PSCI (Political Science)
• Any SOC (Sociology)
• PSY 101: General Psychology I
• PSY 212: Physiological Psychology

Cultivating Global Competence

Select a minimum of 6.0 credits from 100-400 level courses from the following:

• Any ARBC (Arabic)
• Any CHIN (Chinese)
• Any FREN (French)
• Any GER (German)
• Any GST (Global Studies)
• Any JAPN (Japanese)
• Any KOR (Korean)
• Any SPAN (Spanish)

Perspectives in Diversity

Select a minimum of 6.0 credits from the list below:

• BIO 200: Connections in Biology
• BIO 204: The Privilege of Aging
• COM 345: Intercultural Communication
• HIST 181: Religion, Science, and Medicine in History
• HIST 214: United States Civil Rights Movement
• HIST 279: History of Modern Medicine
• HIST 283: Technology and Identity
• HIST 341: Disabilities in History
• HIST 342: Madness, Mental Health and Psychiatry in the Modern West

Neuroscience BS Core Requirements

• BIO 132: Genetics and Evolution (4.0 credits)
• Select 3.0-6.0 credits from the list below:
  • BIO 135: Genetics and Evolution Lab
  • BIO 133: Physiology and Ecology
  • BIO 136: Anatomy and Ecology Lab
  • BIO 201: Human Physiology I
  • BIO 203: Human Physiology II
  • BIO 209: Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I
  • BIO 211: Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II
  • BIO 218: Principles of Molecular Biology

General Science

• CHEM 101: General Chemistry I (3.5 credits)
• CHEM 102: General Chemistry II (4.5 credits)
• PHYS 152: Introductory Physics I (4.0 credits)
• PHYS 153: Introductory Physics II (4.0 credits)
• Select one:
  • CHEM 103: General Chemistry III (4.5 credits)
  • PHYS 154: Introductory Physics III (4.0 credits)

Statistics & Scientific Methodology

Select one of the following 3 sequences (6 credits minimum):

• Sequence 1: Bio-applications:
  • BMES 310: Biomedical Statistics
  • BMES 315: Experimental Design in Biomedical Research
• Sequence 2: Behavioral Science-applications:
  • PSY 264: Statistical Methods in Psychology I
  • PSY 265: Statistical Methods in Psychology II
• Sequence 3: General-applications:
  • MATH 410: Scientific Data Analysis I
  • MATH 411: Scientific Data Analysis II

Analytical Methods and Programming

• BMES 201: Programming and Modeling for Biomedical Engineers I (3.0 credits)
• Select from the list below:
  • BMES 202: Programming and Modeling for Biomedical Engineers II
  • MATH 200: Multivariate Calculus
  • MATH 210: Differential Equations

Core Neuroscience Principles

• BIO 348: Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits (3.0 credits)
• BIO 349: Behavioral Neuroscience (3.0 credits)
• BMES 353: Computational Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (3.0 credits)
• PSY 312: Cognitive Neuroscience (3.0 credits)
• PSY 410: Neuropsychology (3.0 credits)

Oral and Written Communication Skills

• COM 230: Techniques of Speaking (3.0 credits)
• COM 310 [WI]: Technical Communication (required) (3.0 credits)

Neuroethics

Select 3.0 credits from the list below:

• BMES 338: Biomedical Ethics and Law
• PHIL 251: Ethics
• PHIL 321: Biomedical Ethics
• SCTS 205: Artificial Intelligence and Society

Entrepreneurship

Select one course from the list below:

• BMES 409: Entrepreneurship for BMES
• ENTP 105: Entrepreneurial Thinking
• ENTP 270: Social Entrepreneurship

Concentration

Select at least one concentration from options listed below (15.0 credits):

Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience Concentration

Required

• BIO 463: Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration (3.0 credits)
• BIO 465: Neurobiology of Disease (3.0 credits)

Electives

• BIO 209: Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I
• BIO 211: Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II
• BIO 311: Biochemistry
• BIO 333: Bioinformatics Laboratory
• BIO 412: Biology of Aging
• BIO 414: Behavioral Genetics
• BIO I499: Independent Study in Bioscience & Biotechnology
• BMES 411: Chronoengineering I: Biological Rhythms in Health and Performance
• BMES 412: Chronoengineering II: Sleep Functions in Health and Performance
• CHEM 241: Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 242: Organic Chemistry II

Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Concentration

Required

• PSY 330: Cognitive Psychology (3.0 credits)
• PSY 412: Methods in Human Neuroscience (3.0 credits)

Electives

• BIO 412: Biology of Aging
• BIO 414: Behavioral Genetics
• BIO 465: Neurobiology of Disease
• BMES 375: Computational Bioengineering
• BMES 415: Systems Neuroscience and its Applications in Medicine and Engineering
• BMES 418: Brain Computer Interfaces
• BMES 424: Principles of Neuroimaging
• BMES 485: Brain Computer Interface Laboratory
• PSY 213: Sensation and Perception
• PSY 310: Drugs & Human Behavior
• PSY 325: Psychology of Learning
• PSY 336: Psychology of Language
• PSY 360 [WI]: Experimental Psychology
• PSY I499: Independent Study in Psychology
• PSY T480: Special Topics in Psychology
• SCTS 205: Artificial Intelligence and Society

Neurosystems & Computational Neuroscience Concentration

Required

• BMES 415: Systems Neuroscience and its Applications in Medicine and Engineering (3.0 credits)
• BMES 424: Principles of Neuroimaging (3.0 credits)

Electives

• BMES 375: Computational Bioengineering
• BMES 418: Brain Computer Interfaces
• BMES 455: Medical Technology Innovation: Devices
• BMES 477: Neuroengineering I: Neural Signals
• BMES 478: Neuroengineering II: Principles of Neuroengineering
• BMES 483: Quantitative Systems Biology
• BMES 485: Brain Computer Interface Laboratory
• BMES I499: Independent Study in Biomedical Engineering & Science

Free Electives

Select any unrestricted 099-499 courses (9.0-24.0 credits)

Total Credits

186.5

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, No co-op, Cell & Molecular Neuroscience Concentration

First Year

• Fall: BIO 131, BIO 134, ENGL 101, MATH 121, PSY 101, UNIV S101 (16 credits)
• Winter: BIO 132, BIO 135, CIVC 101, ENGL 102, MATH 122, NEUS 201 (14 credits)
• Spring: ENGL 103, MATH 201, PHIL 111, ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective, Perspectives in Diversity (16 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Second Year

• Fall: BIO 209, CHEM 101, COM 230, MATH 410, PHYS 152 (17.5 credits)
• Winter: BIO 211, BMES 310, CHEM 102, MATH 411, PHYS 153 (19.5 credits)
• Spring: BMES 201, CHEM 103, PSY 212, Cultivating Global Competence (13.5 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Third Year

• Fall: BIO 348, BMES 315, BMES 202, COM 310, Free Elective (17 credits)
• Winter: BIO 349, BIO 412, BMES 353, BMES 338, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Spring: BIO 463, PSY 410, Cultivating Global Competence, Perspectives in Diversity, Free Elective (17 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Fourth Year

• Fall: BIO 201, BIO I499, BMES 409, Free Elective, HIST Elective (13 credits)
• Winter: BIO 465, PSY 312, HIST Elective, Free Elective (13 credits)
• Spring: ENVS 212, Diversity Elective, Free Elective (14 credits)

4 year, 1 co-op, Cell & Molecular Neuroscience Concentration

First Year

• Fall: BIO 131, BIO 134, ENGL 101, MATH 121, PSY 101, UNIV S101 (16 credits)
• Winter: BIO 132, BIO 135, CIVC 101, ENGL 102, MATH 122, NEUS 201 (14 credits)
• Spring: ENGL 103, MATH 201, PHIL 111, ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective, Perspectives in Diversity (16 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Second Year

• Fall: BIO 209, CHEM 101, COM 230, MATH 410, PHYS 152 (17.5 credits)
• Winter: BIO 211, BMES 310, CHEM 102, MATH 411, PHYS 153 (19.5 credits)
• Spring: BMES 201, CHEM 103, PSY 212, Cultivating Global Competence (13.5 credits)
• Summer: COOP 101, Perspectives in Diversity, Cultivating Global Competence, Free Electives (14 credits)

Third Year

• Fall: BIO 348, BMES 315, BMES 202, COM 310, Free Elective (17 credits)
• Winter: BIO 349, BIO 412, BMES 353, BMES 338, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Spring: COOP EXPERIENCE
• Summer: COOP EXPERIENCE

Fourth Year

• Fall: BIO 201, BIO I499, BMES 409, Free Elective, HIST Elective (13 credits)
• Winter: BIO 465, PSY 312, HIST Elective, Free Elective (13 credits)
• Spring: ENVS 212, Diversity Elective, Free Elective (14 credits)

4 year, No co-op, Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Concentration

First Year

• Fall: BIO 131, BIO 134, ENGL 101, MATH 121, PSY 101, UNIV S101 (16 credits)
• Winter: BIO 132, BIO 135, CIVC 101, ENGL 102, MATH 122, NEUS 201 (14 credits)
• Spring: ENGL 103, MATH 201, PHIL 111, ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective, Perspectives in Diversity (16 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Second Year

• Fall: BIO 209, CHEM 101, MATH 410, PHYS 152, PSY 264 (17.5 credits)
• Winter: BIO 218, CHEM 102, MATH 411, PHYS 153, PSY 265 (18.5 credits)
• Spring: BMES 201, PHYS 154, PSY 212, Cultivating Global Competence (13 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Third Year

• Fall: BIO 348, BMES 202, COM 230, COM 310, PSY 360 (15 credits)
• Winter: BIO 349, BMES 338, BMES 353, PSY 412, Free Elective (15 credits)
• Spring: PSY 330, PSY 410, Perspectives in Diversity, Cultivating Global Competence, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Fourth Year

• Fall: BMES 375, BMES 409, PSY 213, Free Elective, HIST Elective (14 credits)
• Winter: BIO 412, BMES 418, PSY 312, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Spring: BMES 483, ENVS 212, Diversity Elective, Free Elective (15.5 credits)

4 year, 1 co-op, Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Concentration

First Year

• Fall: BIO 131, BIO 134, ENGL 101, MATH 121, PSY 101, UNIV S101 (16 credits)
• Winter: BIO 132, BIO 135, CIVC 101, ENGL 102, MATH 122, NEUS 201 (14 credits)
• Spring: ENGL 103, MATH 201, PHIL 111, ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective, Perspectives in Diversity (16 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Second Year

• Fall: BIO 209, CHEM 101, MATH 410, PHYS 152, PSY 264 (17.5 credits)
• Winter: BIO 218, CHEM 102, MATH 411, PHYS 153, PSY 265 (18.5 credits)
• Spring: BMES 201, PHYS 154, PSY 212, Cultivating Global Competence (13 credits)
• Summer: COOP 101, Perspectives in Diversity, Cultivating Global Competence, Free Elective (14 credits)

Third Year

• Fall: BIO 348, BMES 202, COM 230, COM 310, PSY 360 (15 credits)
• Winter: BIO 349, BMES 338, BMES 353, PSY 412, Free Elective (15 credits)
• Spring: COOP EXPERIENCE
• Summer: COOP EXPERIENCE

Fourth Year

• Fall: BMES 375, BMES 409, PSY 213, Free Elective, HIST Elective (14 credits)
• Winter: BIO 412, BMES 418, PSY 312, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Spring: BMES 483, ENVS 212, Diversity Elective, Free Elective (14.5 credits)

4 year, No co-op, Neurosystems & Computational Neuroscience Concentration

First Year

• Fall: BIO 131, BIO 134, ENGL 101, MATH 121, PSY 101, UNIV S101 (16 credits)
• Winter: BIO 132, BIO 135, CIVC 101, ENGL 102, MATH 122, NEUS 201 (14 credits)
• Spring: ENGL 103, MATH 201, PHIL 111, ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective, Perspectives in Diversity (16 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Second Year

• Fall: BIO 209, CHEM 101, MATH 200, PHYS 152 (15.5 credits)
• Winter: BIO 218, BMES 310, CHEM 102, PHYS 153 (16.5 credits)
• Spring: BMES 201, PHYS 154, PSY 212, Cultivating Global Competence (13 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Third Year

• Fall: BIO 348, BMES 202, BMES 315, COM 230, COM 310 (16 credits)
• Winter: BIO 349, BMES 338, BMES 353, MATH 210, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Spring: BMES 424, PSY 410, Perspectives in Diversity, Cultivating Global Competence, Free Elective (16.5 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Fourth Year

• Fall: BMES 375, BMES 409, BMES I499, Free Elective, HIST Elective (14 credits)
• Winter: BMES 418, BMES 455, PSY 312, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Spring: BMES 483, BMES I499, ENVS 212, Diversity Elective, Free Elective (17 credits)

4 year, 1 co-op, Neurosystems & Computational Neuroscience Concentration

First Year

• Fall: BIO 131, BIO 134, ENGL 101, MATH 121, PSY 101, UNIV S101 (16 credits)
• Winter: BIO 132, BIO 135, CIVC 101, ENGL 102, MATH 122, NEUS 201 (14 credits)
• Spring: ENGL 103, MATH 201, PHIL 111, ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective, Perspectives in Diversity (16 credits)
• Summer: VACATION

Second Year

• Fall: BIO 209, CHEM 101, MATH 200, PHYS 152 (15.5 credits)
• Winter: BIO 218, BMES 310, CHEM 102, PHYS 153 (16.5 credits)
• Spring: BMES 201, PHYS 154, PSY 212, Cultivating Global Competence (13 credits)
• Summer: COOP 101, Perspectives in Diversity, Cultivating Global Competence, Free Electives (14 credits)

Third Year

• Fall: BIO 348, BMES 202, BMES 315, COM 230, COM 310 (16 credits)
• Winter: BIO 349, BMES 338, BMES 353, MATH 210, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Spring: COOP EXPERIENCE
• Summer: COOP EXPERIENCE

Fourth Year

• Fall: BMES 375, BMES 409, BMES I499, Free Elective, HIST Elective (14 credits)
• Winter: BMES 418, BMES 455, PSY 312, Free Elective (16 credits)
• Spring: BMES 424, BMES 483, ENVS 212, Free Elective, Diversity Elective (17 credits)

Writing-intensive Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid "clustering" these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.