A total of 30 graded course credits is required to graduate.

Pre-requisites for research required path 

In order to apply to the program, students must be enrolled in, or have already completed the following prerequisite courses and have a C+ or better in all courses to apply for the major. Test and transfer credit can be used for the pre-requisites.

1. BIOL 2100 - Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics  
2. CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I  or CHEM 1610 - Introductory Chemistry I for Engineers  or CHEM 1810 - Principles of Chemical Structure (Accelerated)  
3. CHEM 1420 - Introductory College Chemistry II  or CHEM 1620 - Introductory Chemistry II for Engineers  or CHEM 1820 - Principles of Organic Chemistry (Accelerated)  
4. CHEM 1411 - Introductory College Chemistry I Laboratory  or CHEM 1611 - Introductory Chemistry I for Engineers Laboratory  or CHEM 1811 - Principles of Chemical Structure Laboratory (Accelerated)  
5. CHEM 1421 - Introductory College Chemistry II Laboratory  or CHEM 1621 - Introductory Chemistry II for Engineers Laboratory  or CHEM 1821 - Principles of Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Accelerated)  
6. MATH 1210 - A survey of Calculus I  or MATH 1310 - Calculus I  (MATH 1310 is strongly recommended)
7. PSYC 2200 - A Survey of the Neural Basis of Behavior (pre-requisite can be fulfilled by BIOL 3050 or PSYC 3200)
8.  STAT 1601-Intro to Data Science with R, or STAT 1602-Intro to Data Science with Python, or STAT 2020-Statistics for Biologists, or PSYC 2005-Research Methods and Data Analysis I

Note:  None of the prerequisites count toward the 30 major credits. Up to two CHEM requirement courses can be substituted with other 1000 or 2000 level courses offered in Physics, Engineering or Computer Science departments, demonstrating student’s strength in basic sciences that are relevant to neuroscience. However, substitute courses should be discussed with the director prior to applying to the program. If a prerequisite is in progress at the time of admission to the Neuroscience Major, admission will be considered provisional until receipt of final grades.

Research Required Neuroscience Major Core Courses

The following courses are required for the major and count toward the 30 credits requirement.

1. BIOL 3000 - Cell Biology  
2. BIOL 3010 Genetics & Molecular Biology
3. BIOL 3050 Introduction to Neurobiology or PSYC 3200 Fundamentals of Neuroscience
4. NESC 3980 & NESC 3985  - Current Topics in Neuroscience I, II (required of all 3rd year majors)

Research Required Upper Level Elective Courses

Upper electives of the neuroscience major consist of fifteen hours of related courses organized into three groups. Students are required to take at least one from each group, but no more than two from the same group will count towards the thirty major hours.  At least one in each group must be at the 4000 level or above.

Neuroscience  Research Courses

Following are Research and DMP courses that do not count toward 30 credits:

Two semesters in year 3 of NESC 3960 – Research in Neuroscience Credits: 3 

Distinguished Majors Program: Thesis Research and Writing

NESC 4970 - Distinguished Majors Thesis Research Credits: 3 (Taken fall semester by DMP majors)

NESC 4980 - Distinguished Majors Thesis Research and Writing  Credits: 3 (Taken spring semester by DMP majors)

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A total of 27 graded course credits is required to graduate.

Pre-requisites for research optional path

For the Research Optional Path you must have completed or be enrolled in at least one required 3000-Level BIOL/PSYC course from the following list: BIOL 3000, 3010, 3050, PSYC 3160, 3200. You must receive (if enrolled) or have received a “C” or better.

If you have not completed or are enrolled in one of these 3000 level classes, in 2022 you can apply to the program, by being enrolled in, or already completing the following prerequisite courses and have a C+ or better in all courses to apply for the major. Test and transfer credit can be used for the pre-requisites.

1. BIOL 2100 - Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics  

2. CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I  or CHEM 1610 - Introductory Chemistry I for Engineers  or CHEM 1810 - Principles of Chemical Structure (Accelerated)  

3. CHEM 1420 - Introductory College Chemistry II  or CHEM 1620 - Introductory Chemistry II for Engineers  or CHEM 1820 - Principles of Organic Chemistry (Accelerated)  

4. CHEM 1411 - Introductory College Chemistry I Laboratory  or CHEM 1611 - Introductory Chemistry I for Engineers Laboratory  or CHEM 1811 - Principles of Chemical Structure Laboratory (Accelerated)  

5. CHEM 1421 - Introductory College Chemistry II Laboratory  or CHEM 1621 - Introductory Chemistry II for Engineers Laboratory  or CHEM 1821 - Principles of Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Accelerated)  

6. MATH 1210 - A survey of Calculus I  or MATH 1310 - Calculus I  (MATH 1310 is strongly recommended)

7. PSYC 2200 - A Survey of the Neural Basis of Behavior (pre-requisite can be fulfilled by BIOL 3050 or PSYC 3200)

8.  STAT 1601-Intro to Data Science with R, or STAT 1602-Intro to Data Science with Python, or STAT 2020-Statistics for Biologists, or PSYC 2005-Research Methods and Data Analysis I

Note:  None of the prerequisites count toward the 27 major credits. Up to two CHEM requirement courses can be substituted with other 1000 or 2000 level courses offered in Physics, Engineering or Computer Science departments, demonstrating student’s strength in basic sciences that are relevant to neuroscience. However, substitute courses should be discussed with the director prior to applying to the program. If a prerequisite is in progress at the time of admission to the Neuroscience Major, admission will be considered provisional until receipt of final grades.

Research Optional Neuroscience Major Core Courses

The following courses are required for the major and count toward the 30 credits requirement.

1. BIOL 3000 - Cell Biology  

2. BIOL 3010 Genetics & Molecular Biology

3. BIOL 3050 Introduction to Neurobiology or PSYC 3200 Fundamentals of Neuroscience

4. PSYC 3160 Cognitive Neuroscience

5. Lab requirement can be fulfilled by either PSYC 3210 or two concurrent semesters in NESC 3960.

Required Courses in Other Sciences for Research Optional Path  (Students are encouraged to take these courses before applying for NESC major as many are prerequisites of Core courses and Electives)

1. A series of Introductory of Chemistry and lab, CHEM 1410-1411-1420-1421 (Introductory College Chemistry and Laboratory), or CHEM 1610-1611-1620-1621 (Introductory Chemistry for Engineers and Laboratory), or CHEM 1810-1811-1820-1821 (Principles of Chemical Structure, Principles of Organic Chemistry, and Laboratory)

2. MATH 1210 A Survey of Calculus I or MATH 1310 Calculus I (MATH 1310 is strongly recommended).

3. STAT 1601 Intro to Data Science with R, or STAT 1602 Intro to Data Science with Python, or STAT 2020 Statistics for Biologists, or PSYC 2005 Research Methods and Data Analysis I. (STAT 1601 and 1602 are strongly recommended)

4. Physics - two semesters of physics and lab. General physics I and II (PHYS 1425&1429 and 2425&2429), or pre-health (PHYS 2010, 2020, 2030, and 2040).

5. BIOL 2100 - Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics

Note: None of the courses in this section count toward the 27 major credits. Up to two CHEM requirement courses can be substituted with other 1000 or 2000 level courses offered in Engineering or Computer Science departments, demonstrating student’s strength in basic sciences that are relevant to neuroscience. However, substitute courses should be discussed with the director of Undergraduate Neuroscience Major for approval.

Electives for Research Optional Curriculum

Electives are organized into three groups. Students are required to take 12 credit hours, with at least one course from each group.

Note: Additional 3000 and 4000 level STEM courses can be used for group 3 with the approval of Director of Undergraduate Neuroscience Major.