Course Planning

Neuroscience Major - Planning

Course planning advice here is limited to majors. For a full description of degree requirements, please see this overview of the Academic Program and refer to the Catalog for details and official rules. Any discrepancy between the Course Planning Pages and the Catalog will be resolved in favor of the Catalog.

Note: The Neuroscience Major has evolved into the Study of the Mind Major. A minor in Neuroscience is still available.  Please see the Study of the Mind course planning pages.  These pages are to support students who declared a Neuroscience major before the 2020-2021 academic year.

Possible Degree Path – starting in the first year. The following is a typical plan for this 14 course major.  This is not the only way forward.  Please consult with your advisor to create your unique path. 

First Year
  • Gen Chemistry I (CHEM 110, fall)
  • Cell Biology (BIOL 150, either semester)
  • Possibly 1-2 courses in the Neuroscience major (Elective group A)
Sophomore
  • Brain and Behavior (PSYC 220, either semester)
  • Statistics (from any department, either semester)
  • Possibly 1-2 courses in the Neuroscience major (Elective group A or B)
Junior
  • Philosophy of Mind (PHIL 390, fall)
  • Philosophy of Science (PHIL 350, spring)
  • Cellular & Molecular Neurosci. (BIOL 325, fall)
  • Systems Neuroscience (BIOL 425, spring)
Summer Research (Recommended for students considering graduate studies)
Senior
  • Neuroscience Senior Capstone (NEUR 497,spring)
  • 2-4 courses necessary to complete the Neuroscience major

Note: The Neuroscience Major has evolved into the Study of the Mind Major. A minor in Neuroscience is still available.  Please see the new Study of the Mind course planning pages.  These pages are to support students who declared a Neuroscience major before the 2020-2021 academic year.

Possible Degree Path – starting in the second year.  The following is a typical plan to complete this major. Please consult with your advisor or a member of the Department.

First Year -
Sophomore
  • Gen Chemistry I (CHEM 110, fall)

  • Cell Biology (BIOL 150, either semester)

  • Brain and Behavior (PSYC 220, either semester)

  • Statistics (from any department, either semester)

  • Possibly 1-2 courses in the Neuroscience major (Elective group A or B)
Junior
  • Philosophy of Mind (PHIL 390, fall)
  • Philosophy of Science (PHIL 350, spring)
  • Cellular & Molecular Neurosci. (BIOL 325, fall)
  • Systems Neuroscience (BIOL 425, spring)
Summer Research (Recommended for students considering graduate studies)
Senior
  • Neuroscience Senior Capstone (NEUR 497,spring)
  • 2-4 courses necessary to complete the Neuroscience major

Capstone:   

The Neuroscience Capstone Experience is contained within the Neuroscience Senior Capstone (NEUR 497). 

Planning Recommendations:

The Neuroscience Studies Major requires both a breath in multiple disciplines and a depth of focus in a specific field of interest. Please consult with your major advisor to carefully focus your electives to develop depth as some upper-level electives require specific lower-level electives. 

Students must complete Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience BIOL (325) and Systems Neuroscience (BIOL 425) in their junior year. 

Although research is not required for the major, students planning to pursue a graduate degree are strongly encouraged to participate in independent research. Students should start exploring research options though consultation with the Neuroscience Faculty of the Neuroscience Chair during their sophomore year.