Program Overview

Program Overview

The Department of Biological Science offers an undergraduate major in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience that focuses on the development, anatomy, and physiology of the brain. The curriculum emphasizes Biology and Psychology, with essential foundations in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Statistics.

Description of Major

The Cell and Molecular Neuroscience major prepares students for a variety of STEM-related careers, including scientific research and/or education, all health professions, biomedical engineering, and computer science. The program is available only at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL, and is not offered via online or distance learning.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the undergraduate program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of each of the following courses with a final grade of "C minus" or higher:
  • BSC X010, X010L (3, 1) Biological Science I and Lab
  • BSC X011, X011L (3, 1) Biological Science II and Lab
  • CHM X045, X045L (3,1) General Chemistry I and Lab
  • CHM X046, X046L (3,1) General Chemistry II and Lab
  • MAC X311 (4) Calculus I
  • STA X0XX (3) Statistics: STA 2122 (3) preferred
• Completion of at least 52 academic credits or an A.A. Degree.
• PSY 3213C must be completed by the end of Term 5 (first semester, junior year).
• A preliminary meeting with the Neuroscience Academic Advisor to discuss program requirements and career goals.

Program Requirements

The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (ASL2160C or equivalent) level.

Degree Core Coursework

The following courses are required for the major:

• PSY 2012 General Psychology (3)
• PCB 3134 Cell Structure and Function (3)
• PSY 3213C Research Methods in Psychology (4)
• PCB 4843 Fundamentals of Neuroscience (3)
• PSB 3004C Physiological Psychology with Brain Anatomy Lab (4)
• PSB 4400 Neuroscience Methods: Molecules to Behavior (2)

Degree Elective Coursework

Students must take a combination of Biological Science Electives and Psychology Electives:

• Biological Science Electives (up to 11 hours):
  • PCB 3063 General Genetics (3)
  • PCB 4024 Molecular Biology (3)
  • PCB 4024L Molecular Biology Lab (1)
  • PCB 4233 Immunology (3)
  • PCB 4233L Immunology Lab (1)
  • PCB 4244 Biology of Aging (3)
  • PCB 4253 Developmental Biology (3)
  • PCB 4701 Human Physiology (3)
  • BSC 4731L Experimental Physiology Lab (2)
  • BSC 4900 Directed Individual Study I (1-6)
  • BSC 4901 Directed Individual Study II (1-6)
  • BSC 4970 Honors in the Major Research (1-6)
  • ZOO 3713C Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4)
  • ZOO 4343C Biology of Lower Vertebrates (4)
  • ZOO 4353C Biology of Higher Vertebrates (4)
  • ZOO 4513 Animal Behavior (4)
  • ZOO 4753C Histology (4)
  • MCB 4403 Prokaryotic Biology (3)
• Psychology Electives (up to 6 hours):
  • EXP 3202C Sensation and Perception with Lab (4)
  • EXP 3422C Conditioning and Learning with Lab (4)
  • EXP 3604C Cognitive Psychology with Lab (4)
  • EXP 4404 Human Memory and Learning (3)
  • EXP 4640 Psychology of Language (3)
  • PSB 4006 Social Neuroscience (3)
  • PSB 4040 Affective Neuroscience (3)
  • PSB 4240 Neurobiology of Brain Dysfunction (3)
  • PSB 4447 Psychopharmacology (3)
  • PSB 4461 Hormones and Behavior (3)
  • PSB 4710 Biology of Eating Disorders and Obesity (3)
  • PSB 4731 Biopsychology of Sexual Behavior (3)
  • PSY 4039 Honors in the Major Research (1-6)
  • PSY 4910 Augmented Research Topics (1-6)
  • PSY 4915 Honors Advanced Research Topics (1-6)
  • PSY 4930 Special Topics - Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior (3)
  • PSY 4930 Special Topics - Science of Consciousness (3)
  • CLP 4143 Abnormal Psychology (3)
  • CBH 4304 Behavioral Genetics (3)
  • SOP 3004 Social Psychology (3)
  • PSY 4930 Cognitive Neuroscience (3)

Minimum Program Requirements

• Total Hours Required: 120
• General Education: 36
• Collateral Coursework: 37-40
• Major Coursework: 36
• Minor Coursework: 0
• Foreign Language: 0-12
• Digital Literacy: 0 beyond major requirements
• Oral Competency: 0-3

Employment Information

Representative job titles related to this major include:

• Medical Technician
• Clinical Research Associate
• EEG Technologist
• Forensic Science Technician
• Science Writer
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist
• Health Educator
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Psychiatric Technician
• Nurse Practitioner
• Neuroimaging Technician
• Physician's Assistant
• Applied Behavior Analyst
• Anesthesiologist Assistant
• Genetic Counselor
• Epidemiologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Biostatistician
• Orthotist/Prosthetist
• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Physical Therapist
• Food Scientist
• Audiologist
• Optometrist
• Research Scientist
• College or University Professor
• Medical Doctor
• Pharmacist
• Dentist
• Veterinarian
• Bioethicist
• Biomedical Engineer
• Computational Scientist

Representative employers include:

• Educational Institutions
• Consulting Firms
• Research Institutions
• Biotechnology Companies
• Publishers
• Biomedical Products Manufacturers
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Health Care Providers
• Medical Laboratories
• Museums
• Zoos
• Aquaria
• Federal and State Agencies
• Non-profit Organizations