The Major

The department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (PBS) and the department of Biology will jointly offer a BS in Neuroscience degree beginning Fall 2025.  The Neuroscience Major provides a broad life science and computational foundation, advanced coursework in Neuroscience ranging from cellular neurobiology to cognitive and clinical neuroscience, and research experience through traditional classroom courses, discussion-based seminars, and hands-on laboratory classes. The major consists of a minimum of 72-78 credits.

Requirements

Science Core Courses (37 cr)

• Biology 151, 152, & 153: Introductory Biology with Lab (9)
• Biology 285, Biochem 285 or AnimlSci 285: Cellular & Molecular Biology (3)
• Chem 111/112 or 121/122: General Chemistry (8)
• Chem 261, 262, & 269: Organic Chemistry (9)
• Physics 131/132 or 151/152: Introductory Physics (8) 

Computational Courses (10-12 cr)

• Introductory Statistics (Psych 240 or Stat 240) (4)
• Two additional computational courses from the following:
• Math 127: Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I (3) or Math 131: Calculus I (4)
• Math 128: Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences II (3) or Math 132: Calculus II (4)
• CICS 110: Foundations of Programming (4)
• Psych 340: Intermediate Statistics in Psychology (3)

Neuroscience Core Courses (14 cr)

• Psych 330: Introduction to Neuroscience OR Bio 372: Introductory Neurobiology (3)
• Psych 314: Cognitive Neuroscience (3)
• Biology 572: Advanced Neurobiology (3, partial IE)
• Psych 337: Writing in Psychological and Brain Sciences (4)
• Psych 494NI: Professional Development in Neuroscience (1, partial IE)

Neuroscience Laboratory Course: one of the following (2-3 cr)

• Psych 430: Laboratory in Neuroscience (3)
• Psych 411: Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience (3)
• Biology 388: Neurobiology and Physiology Lab (2)
• Psych 496A, Bio 396 or 496: Graded independent study in a Neuroscience lab (3)
• Psych 499T or Biology 499T: Honors Thesis in a Neuroscience lab (3)

Neuroscience Elective Courses: three of the following (at least 9 cr)

• Psych 241: Methods of Inquiry in Psychology (4)
• Psych 310: Sensation & Perception (3)
• Psych 316: Principles of Memory (3)
• Psych 317: Thinking, Judgment, & Decision Making (3)
• Psych 318: Psychology of Language (3)
• Psych 319: Attention & Cognitive Control (3)
• Psych 335: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (3)
• Psych 391/591: Neuroscience-related seminar (3)
• Psych 433: Computational Neuroscience (3)
• Psych 587: Clinical Neuropsychology (formerly Psych 530, 3)
• Psych 535: Drugs and Behavior (3)
• Biology 550: Animal Behavior (4)
• Biology 552: Neural Basis of Animal Behavior (3)
• Psych 579: Developmental Neurobiology (3)

Three elective credits can be obtained through independent study (300+ level, graded PSYCH 496A or BIO 296, 396, 496) in a Neuroscience Lab or through an approved Internship.  An independent study can be used for either the elective requirement or the lab requirement, but not both.

Note:  Psych 100 is a strongly recommended SB GenEd for Neuroscience majors, and is a prerequisite for some upper-level Neuroscience electives in PBS.