Academic Advising Resource Center
Neuroscience
Why take courses in Neuroscience?
Neuroscience is a rapidly growing field that is likely to answer important unanswered questions in the coming years, and there will likely be many jobs in industry and academia that derive from it.
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field of study that employs the tools and perspectives of biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and medicine to achieve a better understanding of brain structure, brain function, behavior, and the mind.
What kinds of questions does Neuroscience explore?
- How can we better understand brain structure, behavior, and the mind using the tools and perspectives of biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and medicine?
- What are the social, behavioral, environmental, and biological factors that play a role in the global health system and its function?
- What are the effects of both prescribed and recreational drugs on brain function and behavior?
What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in Neuroscience?
Try out a 100-level introductory course in Neuroscience, which examines the field through the lens of a particular topic. Then try our main, stepping-stone course for majors, NSCI 201, The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience.
Taking Courses
Courses for non-majors or general interest
- Any 100-level NSCI course.
Getting started in the major
NSCI 201 is the stepping-stone course for majors.
Advanced Placement Credit
Neuroscience does not transfer AP credit toward the major requirements. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores.
Majoring in Neuroscience
Provided are three examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. This major is eligible for the Bachelor of Science. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.
Sample Four-Year Plans
| Neuropsychology | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | PSYC 100: Intro Psych BIOL 100: Intro Biology | NSCI 201: Intro Neuro PSYC 200: Research Methods |
| Y2 | NSCI 360: Cognitive Neuro NSCI 361: Cognitive Neuro Lab | PSYC 207: Memory |
| Y3 | NSCI 325: Neuropharmacology NSCI 327: Neuropharm Lab | NSCI 303: Music Cognition PSYC 214: Abnormal Psychology |
| Y4 | NSCI 4XX |
| Theoretical Neuroscience | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | MATH 133: Calc 1 CSCI 150: Intro to Comp Sci 100-level NSCI course | MATH 134: Calc 2 NSCI 201: Intro to Neuro NSCI 211: Intro Lab |
| Y2 | CSCI 151: Data Structures DATA 113: Intro to Stats | NSCI 360: Intro to Cognitive Neuro NSCI 361: Cog Neuro Lab MATH 231: Multivariable Calculus |
| Y3 | PHYS 110: Mechanics and Relativity NSCI 339: Developmental Neurobiology | PHYS 111: Electricity, Magnetism & Thermodynamics CSCI 241: Systems Programming |
| Y4 | NSCI 319: Neurophysiology NSCI 321: Studies in Neuronal Function MATH 232: Linear Algebra | NSCI 4XX CSCI 374: Machine Learning & Data Mining |
| Behavioral | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | BIOL 100: Intro Biology CHEM 101 | NSCI 201: Intro Neuro NSCI 211 CHEM 102 |
| Y2 | CHEM 205: Organic Chemistry BIOL 223: Cell & Molec BIOL 224: Cell & Molec Lab | NSCI 319: Neurophysiology CHEM 254: Bio Organic Chemistry |
| Y3 | NSCI 325: Neuropharmacology NSCI 327: Neuropharmacology Lab | Neurotox* Psych200: Research Methods |
| Y4 | CHEM 374-Biochemistry | NSCI 4XX |
Related Areas of Study
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Psychology, Physics, Sociology, Statistics
Learn More
Neuroscience Major Requirements
Neuroscience Department