Neuroscience Major, B.S.

B.S. degree

Neuroscience is the study of the structure and function of the nervous system and addresses questions spanning from the cellular and molecular level to cognition and behavior. This multidisciplinary major integrates courses in biology, chemistry, health sciences, and psychology. Track A (General) provides students with more flexibility in electives. Track B (Graduate Preparation) prepares students to pursue graduate school in neuroscience and requires a research project under the supervision of a neuroscience program faculty member.  Students should meet with a neuroscience advisor in their first year to make a four-year plan.

Program Requirements

Core Courses I (16 hours)

BIO 110	Concepts of Biology	4(3-3)
BIO 392	Mammalian Physiology	4(3-3)
BIO 487/PSY 487	Neuroscience Seminar	1-2(Spec)
PSY 100	Introduction to Psychology	3(3-0)
PSY 387	Behavioral Neuroscience	3(3-0)

Note: For BIO 487/PSY 487, two semesters are required, for a maximum of two credits.

Core Courses II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

BIO 500	Biological Statistics	3(2-2)
HSC 544	Biostatistics	3(2-1)
PSY 211QR	Introduction to Psychological Statistics	3(3-0)

Other Requirements I: General Chemistry (5-9 hours)

Select one of the following options:

Option A (5 hours)

CHM 120	Survey of Chemistry	4(4-0)
CHM 127	Introductory Chemistry Laboratory	1(0-2)

Option B (8 hours)

CHM 131	General Chemistry I	4(3-3)
CHM 132	General Chemistry II	4(3-3)

Option C (9 hours)

CHM 161	Principles of Chemistry	5(4-4)
CHM 211QR	Quantitative Analysis	4(2-6)

Other Requirements II: Organic Chemistry (4-8 hours)

Select one of the following options:

Option A (4 hours)

CHM 342

Survey of Organic Chemistry

4(3-3)

Option B (8 hours)

CHM 345	Organic Chemistry I	3(3-0)
CHM 346	Organic Chemistry II	3(3-0)
CHM 349	Organic Chemistry Laboratory	2(0-6)

Other Requirements III: Biochemistry (3-6 hours)

Select one of the following options:

Option A (3 hours)

CHM 421

Introductory Biochemistry for Health Sciences

3(3-0)

Option B (3 hours)

CHM 425

Introductory Biochemistry

3(3-0)

Option C (6 hours)

CHM 521	Biochemistry I	3(3-0)
CHM 522	Biochemistry II	3(3-0)

Neuroscience Tracks

Select one of the following tracks:

Track A - General (6 hours)

The General Track is for students who desire more flexibility in the choice of electives.

Required Courses

BIO 591	Neurophysiology	3(3-0)
PSY 588	Functional Neuroanatomy	3(3-0)

Track B - Graduate Preparation (11 hours)

The Graduate Preparation Track is for students who plan to attend a professional graduate school upon graduation that will necessitate both a solid background and research experience.

Required Courses I (8 hours)

NSC 501	Principles of Neuroscience I	4(4-0)
NSC 502	Principles of Neuroscience II	4(4-0)

Required Courses II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

BIO 403WI	Undergraduate Research	3-4(Spec)
NSC 496	Neuroscience Directed Research	1-6(Spec)
PSY 496	Directed Research	1-6(Spec)

Electives (10-15 hours)

If selecting Track A – General (above): Select at least two courses from each of the Elective groups below, plus one more from either group, in consultation with and the approval of your advisor, for a total of 15 hours.

If selecting Track B – Graduate Preparation (above): Select at least one course from each of the Elective Groups below, plus one more from either group, in consultation with and the approval of your advisor, for a total of 10 hours.

Electives I

BIO 208	Microbiology	4(3-3)
BIO 324	Eukaryotic Cell Biology	3(3-0)
BIO 330	Light Microscopy	3(2-2)
BIO 337	Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy	4(3-3)
BIO 534	Endocrinology	3(3-0)
BIO 552	Scanning Electron Microscope Technique	4(3-3)
BIO 591	Neurophysiology	3(3-0)
HSC 214	Human Anatomy	4(3-3)
HSC 215	Human Physiology	4(3-2)
NSC 496	Neuroscience Directed Research	1-6(Spec)

Note: Track A students may not choose BIO 330 or 591.

Electives II

BIO 518	Animal Behavior	4(3-3)
HSC 235	Psychoactive Drugs	3(3-0)
PSY 382	Perception	3(3-0)
PSY 383	Learning and Memory	3(3-0)
PSY 384	Behavior Analysis	3(2-2)
PSY 509	Behavioral Pharmacology	3(3-0)
PSY 584	Cognitive Neuroscience	3(3-0)
PSY 585	Psychophysiology	3(3-0)
PSY 587	Physiological Psychology	3(3-0)
PSY 588	Functional Neuroanatomy	3(3-0)

Note: Track A students may not choose PSY 588.

Total: 52-63 semester hours