Neuroscience, Bachelor of Arts

Neuroscience Major Requirements

Entry-level requirements and co-requisites:

BIO 1001Principles of Biology I

4

BIO 1002Principles of Biology II

4

PSY 1004Fundamentals of Psychology

3

CHM 1001Principles of Chemistry I

3

CHM 1003Principles of Chemistry Lab I

1

CHM 1002Principles of Chemistry II

3

CHM 1004Principles of Chemistry Lab II

1

 

Core Requirements:

BIO 2021Intro to Neuroscience

3

 

BIO 3090Molecular Neurobiology

3

OR

BIO 5090Molecular Neurobiology

3

 

BIO 2003Principles of Genetics

3

OR

BIO 2073Human Genetics

3

OR

BIO 3003Principles of Genetics

4

OR

BIO 5003Principles of Genetics

4

Statistics Requirement (Choose one):

BIO 3012Biostatistics

3

OR

BIO 5012BIOSTATISTICS

3

 

MATH 1110Introduction to Statistics

3

PSY 2012Statistics for the Social Sciences

4

Electives (Choose two, one BIO and one PSY):

BIO 3005Developmental Biology

4

OR

BIO 5005Developmental Biology

4

 

BIO 2070Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences

4

OR

BIO 3007Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4

OR

BIO 5007Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4

 

BIO 2071Human Anatomy and Physiology II for the Health Sciences

4

OR

BIO 3017Human Anatomy & Physiology II

4

OR

BIO 5017Human Anataomy and Physiology II

4

 

BIO 3030Molecular Cell Biology

3

OR

BIO 5030MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY

3

 

BIO 3061Biochemistry I

4

OR

BIO 5061BIOCHEMISTRY I

4

 

BIO 3080MOLECULAR BIO TECHNIQUES

4

OR

BIO 5080MOLECULAR BIO TECHNIQUES

4

 

PSY 2004Physiological Bases of Behavior

3

PSY 2008Sensation & Pereception

3

PSY 2044Cognitive Psychology

3

PSY 3012Human Memory

3

 

BIO 3996Team Biology Research

4

OR

BIO 4495Independent Study

1-4

OR

PSY 4020Writing Review Articles in Psychology

3

OR

PSY 4025Research & Writing Experience

3

OR

PSY 4495Independent Study

1-3

Of the electives, up to 4 courses (12 cr.) may be taken at the graduate (5000) level. Similarly, only one research-based course (BIO 3996, BIO 3997, BIO 4495) can count towards the major.

  1. Minimum of 2 elective courses completed with a grade of B+ or better for B.S. or B.A. Biology
  2. Applicable pre-requisites are completed with a grade of B+ or better
  3. Minimum science GPA is a 3.2, overall GPA minimum is a 3.4
  4. Demonstration of an advanced writing ability beyond an undergraduate level, as well as advanced technical laboratory skills above that of a typical undergraduate
  5. Approval of Division Chair and Faculty member teaching the course is required.

Capstone Requirement (Choose one):

 

BIO 3400Research Methods in the Life Sciences

3

PSY 2040Research Methods in Psychology

4

In addition to the entry-level requirements, co-requisites, and the five electives, as outlined above, every undergraduate major must complete a research methods class in the fall semester of their third of fourth year. There is the option for students with acceptable GPA requirements to enroll in a research class where students work closely with a mentor from the biology faculty to develop a group or independent original research project that culminates in a thesis and presentation. To partake in a research project as BIO 3997, students must have a 3.0 minimum GPA, have completed BIO 1001, BIO 1002, CHM 1001, CHM 1002, CHM 1003, CHM 1004, have completed BIO 3400 with a B or better, and have their research proposal approved by their mentor.

 

BIO 3400: Research Methods in the Life Sciences (3 credits)

Optional active research courses:

BIO 3996: Biology Team Research (3 credits) OR

BIO 3997: Independent Biology Research (3 credits)

 

BIO 1001, BIO 1002: are prerequisites for all biology courses above the 2000 level. Note: If a C - or below is received in either of these foundational classes, it must be retaken and passed with a minimum grade of C before students can progress to 3000-level electives. All upper level major courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.

CHM 1001, CHM 1003, CHM 1002, CHM 1004: completed with a minimum grade of C-. Note: these classes are prerequisites for some biology courses above the 2000 level. 

Prospective majors and students interested in enrolling in Principles of Biology I  (BIO 1001),  or Principles of Biology II (BIO 1002) need to complete the Biology Placement Exam. Prospective majors and students interested in enrolling in Principles of Chemistry I with Lab (CHM 1001 and CHM 1003) or Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (CHM 1002 and CHM 1004 need to complete the Chemistry Placement Exam.  Placement exams are located on Blackboard.  If a student does not pass the placement exam(s), they should start with Intro to Biology (BIO 1000) during the fall semester of their first year and/or Intro to Chemistry (CHM 1000) during the fall or spring semester of their first year.

It is strongly recommended that students majoring in Neuroscience take Principles of Biology, Principles of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Psychology in their first year. Students who begin the program as Neuroscience majors and plan to pursue graduate study or a career in the health professions must complete the appropriate co-requisites before applying. Advising sheets are available.

All of the biology faculty members have on-going and short-term research projects that allow for scholarship development for both faculty and students. Students often have the opportunity to present their undergraduate research projects at local, regional and national conferences, and some projects are ultimately published in peer-reviewed journals.