Program Overview

Neuroscience, BS

Overview

Neuroscience is the study of the structure and function of the nervous system at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels, and of how the nervous system controls cognition, emotions, and behavior. The BS program in neuroscience provides both breadth and depth of understanding of these topics, and equips students to pursue multiple career paths.

Program Requirements

• Biology Core Courses:
  • BIOL 214: Genes, Evolution and Ecology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 214L: Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab (1 credit)
  • BIOL 215: Cells and Proteins (3 credits)
  • BIOL 215L: Cells and Proteins Laboratory (1 credit)
  • BIOL 216: Development and Physiology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 216L: Development and Physiology Lab (1 credit)
• Neuroscience Core Courses:
  • NEUR 166: Explorations in Neuroscience (1 credit)
  • NEUR 201: Fundamentals of Neuroscience I (3 credits)
  • NEUR 202: Fundamentals of Neuroscience II (3 credits)
• Mathematics and Statistics Core Courses:
  • MATH 125: Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I (4 credits)
  • MATH 126: Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II (4 credits)
  • STAT 312: Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science (3 credits)
• Chemistry Core Courses:
  • CHEM 105: Principles of Chemistry I (3 credits)
  • CHEM 106: Principles of Chemistry II (3 credits)
  • CHEM 113: Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
  • CHEM 223: Introductory Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
  • CHEM 224: Introductory Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
  • CHEM 233: Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 credits)
• Physics Core Courses:
  • PHYS 115: Introductory Physics I (4 credits)
  • PHYS 116: Introductory Physics II (4 credits)
• Computer Programming Core Course:
  • Choose one of the following:
    • ENGR 131: Elementary Computer Programming
    • CSDS 132: Programming in Java
    • BIOL 321: Design and Analysis of Biological Experiments
• Neurobiology Core Courses:
  • Choose two of the following:
    • BIOL 322: Sensory Biology
    • BIOL 358: Animal Behavior
    • BIOL 373: Introduction to Neurobiology
    • BIOL 370: Seminar on Unifying Concepts in Neuroscience
    • BIOL 374: Neurobiology of Behavior
    • BIOL 375: Brain Evolution and Function
    • BIOL 381: Nervous System Development
    • NEUR 301: Biological Mechanisms of Brain Disorders
    • NEUR 303: Methods Neuroscience Research
    • NEUR 304: The Neurobiology of Homeostasis
    • NEUR 316: Introduction to Neural Circuits
    • NEUR 330: Neuroimmunology
    • PSCL 350: Behavior Genetics
• Cellular/Molecular Biology Core Course:
  • Choose one of the following:
    • BIOL 325: Cell Biology
    • BIOL 326: Genetics
    • BIOC 307: Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science
    • CHEM 328: Introductory Biochemistry I
• Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Core Course:
  • Choose one of the following:
    • BIOL 225: Evolution
    • BIOL 351: Principles of Ecology
    • BIOL 375: Brain Evolution and Function
• Neuroscience Electives:
  • Choose a minimum of two of the following:
    • BIOL 302/COGS 322: Human Learning and the Brain
    • BIOL 375: Brain Evolution and Function
    • BIOL 378: Computational Neuroscience
    • BIOL 385: Seminar on Biological Processes in Learning and Cognition
    • CSDS 364: Computational Perception
    • COGS 201: Human Cognition in Evolution and Development
    • COGS 305: Social Cognition and the Brain
    • COSI 305: Neuroscience of Communication and Communication Disorders
    • COSI 357: Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders
    • MATH 333: Mathematics and Brain
    • MUHI 317: Music, Mind, and Medicine
    • PHIL 366: Brain, Mind and Consciousness: The Science and Philosophy of Mind
    • PSCL 352: Physiological Psychology
    • PSCL 379: Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
• Undergraduate Research:
  • BIOL 388: Undergraduate Research (3 credits)
  • BIOL 388S: Undergraduate Research - SAGES Capstone (3 credits)
  • NEUR 388: Undergraduate Research (3 credits)
  • NEUR 388S: Undergraduate Research SAGES Capstone (3 credits)

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study for the Neuroscience, BS program is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall:
    • BIOL 214: Genes, Evolution and Ecology (3 credits)
    • BIOL 214L: Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab (1 credit)
    • NEUR 166: Explorations in Neuroscience (1 credit)
    • MATH 125: Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I (4 credits)
    • CHEM 105: Principles of Chemistry I (3 credits)
    • Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • BIOL 215: Cells and Proteins (3 credits)
    • BIOL 215L: Cells and Proteins Laboratory (1 credit)
    • MATH 126: Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II (4 credits)
    • CHEM 106: Principles of Chemistry II (3 credits)
    • CHEM 113: Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
    • Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course (3 credits)
• Second Year:
  • Fall:
    • BIOL 216: Development and Physiology (3 credits)
    • BIOL 216L: Development and Physiology Lab (1 credit)
    • NEUR 201: Fundamentals of Neuroscience I (3 credits)
    • CHEM 223: Introductory Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
    • CHEM 233: Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 credits)
    • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • NEUR 202: Fundamentals of Neuroscience II (3 credits)
    • CHEM 224: Introductory Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
    • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credits)
    • Cellular/Molecular Biology or Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Core Course (3 credits)
    • Neurobiology Core Course (3 credits)
• Third Year:
  • Fall:
    • BIOL 321: Design and Analysis of Biological Experiments (3 credits)
    • PHYS 115: Introductory Physics I (4 credits)
    • Cellular/Molecular Biology or Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Core Course (3 credits)
    • Neuroscience Elective (3 credits)
    • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • Neurobiology Core Course (3 credits)
    • Neuroscience Elective (3 credits)
    • STAT 312: Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science (3 credits)
    • PHYS 116: Introductory Physics II (4 credits)
    • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credits)
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall:
    • BIOL 388: Undergraduate Research (3 credits)
    • STAT 312: Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science (3 credits)
    • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credits)
    • Open Elective (3 credits)
    • Open Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • BIOL 388S: Undergraduate Research - SAGES Capstone (3 credits)
    • Breadth, or Elective course (3 credits)
    • Open Elective (3 credits)
    • Open Elective (3 credits)
    • Open Elective (3 credits)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Neuroscience, BS program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of fundamental neurobiological concepts, including cellular, molecular, and systems neurobiology to basic biological questions, medical problems, and biotechnology.
• Propose hypotheses using observations and interpretation of existing data, design experiments to test their hypotheses, make predictions, collect and analyze data, and draw appropriate conclusions.
• Critically analyze published scientific research in neurobiology, connecting previously learned information to current research.
• Communicate neurobiological concepts, hypotheses, rationale, and experimental data both in oral and written form to diverse audiences ranging from experts to lay persons.
• Synthesize neurobiological, psychological, cognitive, philosophical, mathematical, physical, chemical, ecological, and evolutionary principles to examine the integrative aspect of neurobiology as a science.