Undergraduate Neuroscience Program

Official Undergraduate Bulletin

Neuroscience is one of the most active areas in modern biology. Neuroscientists investigate the most complex and fascinating object in the universe, the brain: how it evolved, how it develops, and how it gives rise to our thoughts, emotions and memories. Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field, ranging from studies of the structure and workings of single proteins, to analyses of the whole-brain activity of living animals and people. Not only biologists and psychologists, but also students of engineering, physics, mathematics and computation can apply their knowledge and techniques to understanding the brain. So how can you learn more? The Department of Neurobiology and Behavior offers several options for undergraduates interested in studying neuroscience.

What's it all about?
Students who would like a general introduction to neuroscience should consider BIO 208 Cells, Brains, Minds. BIO 208 is a broad survey of neuroscience. The advisory prerequisite for this class is high school chemistry.

Advanced students with strong science backgrounds may be interested in one of our 300-level courses such as BIO 334 Principles of Neurobiology or BIO 317 Principles of Cellular Signaling. Note that all of our 300-level courses have prerequisite requirements including introductory biology, general chemistry and calculus.

The Neuroscience Specialization
Students looking to pursue in depth study of neuroscience should consider the Neuroscience Specialization in the Biology Major. This is an excellent option for students interested in neuroscience research, graduate study in neuroscience and/or the health care professions. In addition to foundational courses for the biology major, students electing the specialization in neuroscience take the following advanced neuroscience / physiology courses.

• BIO 334 - Principles of Neurobiology
• BIO 335 - Neurobiology Laboratory
• Two additional neuroscience electives from:
  • • BIO 208 - Cells, Brains, Minds
    • BIO 317 - Principles of Cell Signaling
    • BIO 328 - Mammalian Physiology
    • BIO 337 - Neurotransmission and Neuromodulation:  Implications for Brain Function
    • BIO 339 - Neurobiology of Disease
    • BIO 347 - Introduction to Neural Computation
    • BCP 401 - Principles of Pharmacology
    • EBH 316 - Evolution of the Human Brain

Students in the Neuroscience Specialization must also complete all of the requirements of the Biology Major. To the review the requirements of the Neuroscience Specialization, please see the graduation checklist.