Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and its impact on behavior and cognitive functions. This interdisciplinary field integrates several areas of study, including biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, and medicine. The core courses for this degree include a foundation in the life sciences, and a foundational sequence in neuroscience that will prepare students for more advanced NRSC courses. The Neuroscience degree track administered by the Department of Biology (NRSC MCB) focuses on the biological basis of neurological processes at the molecular and cellular level. Students completing the NRSC MCB degree will be well prepared for jobs in medical and biotechnology fields, and they will be competitive for admission to medical or graduate school.
Plan of Study Grid First Year |
Fall |
BIOL 111 | Introductory Biology I 1, 2 | 4 |
CHEM 119 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I 1 | 4 |
ENGL 104 | Composition and Rhetoric 2 | 3 |
MATH 147
| Calculus I for Biological Sciences 1
or Engineering Mathematics I | 4 |
VIBS 101 | Neuroscience Overview 2 | 1 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
BIOL 112 | Introductory Biology II 1, 2 | 4 |
CHEM 120 | Fundamentals of Chemistry II 1 | 4 |
PBSI 107 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
1 | 3-4 |
| Calculus II for Biological Sciences | |
| Engineering Mathematics II | |
| Elementary Statistical Inference | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
Second Year |
Fall |
BIOL 213 | Molecular Cell Biology 1 | 3 |
CHEM 227 | Organic Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
CHEM 237 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
NRSC 277/VIBS 277 | Essential Neuroscience - From Molecules to Nervous Systems 1, 2 | 3 |
PHYS 201 | College Physics | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
Spring |
CHEM 228 | Organic Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
CHEM 238 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
PBSI 235 | Introduction to Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience 2 | 3 |
PHYS 202 | College Physics | 4 |
3 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
Third Year |
Fall |
BICH 410 | Comprehensive Biochemistry I | 3 |
BIOL 428 | Cellular Neuroscience | 3 |
STAT 312 | Statistics for Biology | 3 |
3 | 3 |
3 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
BICH 411 | Comprehensive Biochemistry II | 3 |
BIOL 434/NRSC 434 | Regulatory and Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
BIOL 435 | Laboratory for Regulatory and Behavioral Neuroscience | 1 |
3 | 3 |
3 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 |
Fourth Year |
Fall |
BIOL 413 | Cell Biology | 3 |
NRSC 450/VIBS 450 | Mammalian Functional Neuroanatomy | 4 |
POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
4 | 6 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
4 | 6 |
5 | 8-9 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 18 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 |
Graduation requirements include two courses with the Writing Intensive (UWRT) attribute. Please see advisor for options.