BS in Neuroscience

 

brain

 

The Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience degree is ideal for students planning on graduate school or careers in health and medicine. The program provides rigorous, interdisciplinary education in molecular, cellular and cognitive neuroscience, resulting in a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and circuitry in the brain that drive behavioral outputs.

While critically evaluating and applying the core experimental methods used in molecular neuroscience and neurobiology, students become fluent in the core concepts, methods and current literature involved with modern neuroscience.

Questions about this major? Contact Neuroscience Program Director Damien O’Halloran.

 

Course Requirements 

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

Program-specific curriculum:

Required
Eleven basic science courses (41 credits):
BISC 1115
& BISC 1125		Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules
and Introduction to Cells and Molecules Laboratory
BISC 1116
& BISC 1126		Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms
and Introduction to Organisms Laboratory
BISC 2207Genetics *
or BISC 2202 Cell Biology
CHEM 1111General Chemistry I
CHEM 1112General Chemistry II
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
PHYS 1025University Physics I with Biological Applications
or PHYS 1011 General Physics I
or PHYS 1021 University Physics I
PHYS 1026University Physics II with Biological Applications
or PHYS 1012 General Physics II
or PHYS 1022 University Physics II
MATH 1220
& MATH 1221		Calculus with Precalculus I
and Calculus with Precalculus II
or MATH 1231 Single-Variable Calculus I
Two courses in quantitative methods (6 credits) from the following:
BISC 2584Introduction to Bioinformatics
CSCI 1012Introduction to Programming with Python
STAT 1127Statistics for the Biological Sciences *
Three gateway courses (9 credits) that introduce core neuroscience concepts, from the following:
ANAT 2160Human Functional Neuroanatomy
or SPHR 2106 Neural Substrates of Speech, Language, and Hearing
BISC 2320Neural Circuits and Behavior
BISC 3320Human Neurobiology
PSYC 2015Biological Psychology
Five advanced content courses from the following. These must include two courses in cellular/molecular/systems neuroscience (6 credits), two courses in cognitive neuroscience (6 credits) and one course in advanced biochemistry (3 to 4 credits).
Cellular/molecular/systems neuroscience
ANTH 3413Evolution of the Human Brain
BISC 2220Developmental Neurobiology
BISC 3320Human Neurobiology
Cognitive neuroscience
PSYC 3118Neuropsychology
PSYC 3121Memory and Cognition
PSYC 3122Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 3124Visual Perception
SPHR 2133Autism
SPHR 3116Brain and Language
Advanced biochemistry
BISC 3261Introductory Medical Biochemistry
CHEM 3165Biochemistry I *
CHEM 3166Biochemistry II
One research/laboratory experience course (3 to 4 credits).
This may be one semester of guided or independent research in ANTH, CHEM, PHIL, PSYC, or SPHR**, or one of the following options:
Laboratory experience
BISC 2452
& BISC 2453		Animal Behavior
and Animal Behavior Lab
PSYC 4107WResearch Lab in Cognitive Neuroscience
BISC 4171Undergraduate Research
BISC 4171WUndergraduate Research
BISC 4172Independent Study

* Recommended for premed students. In addition, premed students are advised to take SOC 1001 Introduction to Sociology, BISC 2322 Human Physiology, and BISC 2337 Introductory Microbiology.

** For SPHR, available only to students with a minimum 3.5 GPA in major courses and/or the permission of the instructor.

 

 

Related Program: BA in Cognitive Neuroscience

Housed in the Department of Psychology, the Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Neuroscience builds a strong base in psychology and complex behavior study, supplemented with courses in speech and hearing, anthropology and philosophy. The rigorous program focuses on developing students’ fluency in cognitive neuroscience, both written and oral, with opportunities for undergraduate research and internships.