Neuroscience Curriculum
The Neuroscience curriculum begins with foundational courses in biology and psychology. In addition, core courses are designed to facilitate student development of neuroscience concepts during or after the foundational courses are completed.
Students can focus their studies in specific areas (Approaches), which include cell/molecular and behavioral, and gain an even more focused understanding of topical neuroscience areas (Perspectives) by taking courses in areas that include biochemical and physical, computational, and philosophical and historical. Faculty advisors will guide students in course selection to ensure breadth and depth appropriate for student interests and future career goals.
Major Requirements
- 14 total courses:
- All 9 Foundational Courses & 5 Electives from any of the Approaches and Perspectives
- At least one course from each of the two Approaches (Cellular/Molecular & Behavioral)
- A minimum of one 4-credit lab course at the 300- or 400-level from any of the Approaches or Perspectives
Foundational Courses
- PSY 100: Introductory Psychology (Social Science Core) — 3 credits
- BIO 103/103L: General Biology I (Lab; Natural Science Core) — 4 credits
- BIO 104/104L: General Biology II (Lab) — 4 credits
- PSY/NEU 262: Behavioral Neuroscience — 3 credits
- PHL/NEU 352: Philosophy of Mind — 3 credits
- BIO 200: Cell & Molecular Genetics (IW2) — 3 credits
- BIO 360/360L: Neurobiology — 4 credits
- PSY260/260L: Methods and Statistics is Psychology (Quantitative Reasoning Core) — 4 credits
- NEU 474: Capstone (Future Signature Work) — 3 credits
Approaches
Cellular & Molecular
- BIO 201/201L: Comparative Anatomy (Lab) — 4 credits
- BIO 205/205L: Human Anatomy (Lab) — 4 credits
- BIO 215/215L: Histology and Cytology (Lab) — 4 credits
- BIO 320/320L: Developmental Biology (Lab) — 4 credits
- BIO 308/308L: Modern Genetics (Lab) — 4 credits
- BIO 413: Cell Signaling — 3 credits
- BIO 395/396/495 or PSY 395/495 with BIO or PSY Neuroscience Faculty (per approval by Program Director) — 3 Credits OR BIO 450 Internship (per approval by Program Director) — 3 credits (cannot count more than once toward major)
- BIO 405/405L: Physiology (Lab) — 4 credits
- BIO 416/416L: Immunology (Lab) — 4 credits
- BIO 475/476/BIO476L/479: Advanced Topics Seminar with Lab (per approval by Program Director) — 4 credits
- Study Abroad (per approval by Program Director)
Behavioral
- PSY 303: Animal Learning & Cognition — 3 credits
- BIO 310: Evolution — 3 credits
- PSY 315: Human Neuropsychology — 3 credits
- PSY 316: Cognitive Psychology — 3 credits
- PSY 324: Abnormal Psychology — 3 credits
- BIO 350/350L: Animal Behavior (Lab) (Oral Proficiency) — 4 credits
- PSY 362/362L: Methods and Analysis: Behavioral Neuroscience (Lab; previously PSY 426 Experimental Biopsychology) (WII) — 4 credits
- PSY 336: Sensation & Perception — 3 credits
- PSY 363/363L: Methods & Analysis: Cognitive Psychology (Previously 416/416L: Experimental Cognitive Psychology) — 4 credits (WII) (Oral Proficiency)
- PSY 314: Psychology of Aging (Diversity) — 3 credits
- PSY 402/402L: Research in Animal Learning & Cognition (Lab) — 4 credits
- PSY 366/366L: Methods & Analysis: Neuropsychology (Previously 405: Research in Neuropsychology (Lab)) — 4 credits
- PSY 482: Drugs & Behavior — 3 credits
- BIO 395/396 or PSY 395/495 with BIO or PSY Neuroscience Faculty (per approval by Program Director) — 3 Credits (cannot count more than once toward major) OR PSY 489 Clinical Internship (per approval by Program Director) OR PSY 350 Internship (per approval by Program Director)
- PSY 490: Independent Study (per approval by Program Director) — 4 Credits
- PSY 470: Special Topic Seminars (per approval by Program Director) — 3 credits
- Study Abroad (per approval by Program Director)
Perspectives
Biochemical & Physical
- CHM 101/101L: General Chemistry I — 4 credits
- CHM 102/102L: General Chemistry II — 4 credits
- ESP 101: General Physics I (Lab) — 4 credits
- ESP 102: General Physics II (Lab)— 4 credits
- CHM 201/201L: Organic Chemistry I — 4 credits
- CHM 202/202L: Organic Chemistry II — 4 credits
- CHM 309: Biochemistry I — 3 credits
- CHM 310/310L: Biochemistry Lab (Lab) — 4 credits
Computational
- CSC 120: Data analytics — 3 credits
- CSC 103: Introduction to Computer Science (Programming in Python) — 4 credits
- MTH 217/218: Intro to Stats/Biostatistics —4 credits
- MTH 109/131: Calculus I – 3 credits OR MTH 110/132 Calculus II — 4 credits
Philosophical & Historical
- PHL 309: Biomedical Ethics — 3 credits
- PHL 318: Philosophy of Science (IWI) — 3 credits
- PSY 481: History of Psychology — 3 credits
- Certificate Program
