The following course sequences are only suggestions and are based on the assumption that there are no AP/IB/TR credits applied. Please consult with your faculty adviser when selecting and registering for classes.

For the neuroscience upper levels, please refer to the Courses page.

BS Sample Program of Study

This course sequence only includes the basic neuroscience requirements.

Freshman Year: Fall

  • 030.101 Intro Chemistry I
  • 030.105 Intro Chemistry Lab
  • 110.106 Calculus I
  • 060.XXX Writing Course OR
  • 200.141 Foundations of Brain, Behavior & Cognition (BBC) OR 050.105 Intro to Cog. Neuropsychology

Freshman Year: Spring

  • 030.102 Intro Chemistry II
  • 030.106 Intro Chemistry Lab II
  • 110.107 Calculus II
  • 060.XXX Writing Course OR
  • 200.141 Foundations of Brain, Behavior (FBBC) OR 050.203 Neuroscience: Cognitive

Sophomore Year: Fall

  • 080.305 Neuroscience: Cell & Systems I*
  • 030.205 Intro Organic Chemistry I
  • 550.291 – Linear Algebra & Differential Equations **

Sophomore Year: Spring

  • 080.306 Neuroscience: Cell & Systems II*
  • 553.211 Prob. Stats for Life Sciences

Junior Year: Fall

  • 171.103 General Physics I
  • 173.111 General Physics Lab I
  • 080.541 Research in NS***
  • 080.499 Scientific Communication and Mentoring***
  • Upper Level Neuroscience Course
  • 050.203 Neuroscience: Cognitive (if not already taken)

Junior Year: Spring

  • 171.104 General Physics II
  • 173.112 General Physics Lab II
  • 080.544 Research in NS***
  • 080.499 Scientific Communication and Mentoring***
  • Upper Level Neuroscience Course

Senior Year: Fall

  • Upper Level Neuroscience Course
  • 080.250 Neuroscience Lab****

Senior Year: Spring

  • Upper Level Neuroscience Course

Additional Courses
Students must also take one of the following biology courses. For students who are obtaining a Cellular and Molecular Focus Area, one of the biology options must be Cell Biology with lab.

  • Gen Bio I with lab
  • Gen Bio II with lab
  • Biochem with lab
  • Genetics with lab
  • Cell Bio with lab

*CSI & CSII can be taken sophomore or junior year.
**For Computational Focus Area only.
***Research in Neuroscience and Scientific Communication and Mentoring can be taken at any time. (6 research credits are needed for the major). Students typically take more credits.
****Neuroscience Lab can be taken any time after completing FBBC or CS I & CS II.

BS Sample Program of Study with University Requirements

This course sequence includes the basic neuroscience requirements and university requirements.

Freshman Year: Fall

  • 030.101 Intro Chemistry I
  • 030.105 Intro Chemistry Lab
  • 110.106 Calculus I
  • 060.XXX Writing Course OR 200.141 Foundations of Brain, Behavior & Cognition (FBBC) OR 050.105 Intro to Cog. Neuropsychology

Freshman Year: Spring

  • 030.102 Intro Chemistry II
  • 030.106 Intro Chemistry Lab II
  • 110.107 Calculus II
  • 060.XXX Writing Course OR 200.141 Foundations of Brain, Behavior & Cognition (BBC) OR 050.105 Intro to Cog. Neuropsychology
  • 200.141 Foundations of Brain, Behavior (FBBC) OR 050.203 Neuroscience: Cognitive

Sophomore Year: Fall

  • 080.305 Neuroscience: Cell & Systems I*
  • 030.205 Intro Organic Chemistry I
  • 060.XXX Writing Course
  • Elective in (H) or (S)
  • 550.291 – Linear Algebra & Differential Equations **

Sophomore Year: Spring

  • 080.306 Neuroscience: Cell & Systems II*
  • 030.206 Intro Org. Chemistry II****
  • 030.225 Intro Organic Chemistry Lab****
  • 553.211 Prob. Stats for Life Sciences

Junior Year: Fall

  • 171.103 General Physics I
  • 173.111 General Physics Lab I
  • 080.541 Research in NS***
  • 080.499 Scientific Communication and Mentoring***
  • 020.305 Biochemistry****
  • Elective in (H) or (S)

Junior Year: Spring

  • 171.104 General Physics II
  • 173.112 General Physics Lab II
  • 080.544 Research in NS***
  • 080.499 Scientific Communication and Mentoring***
  • Upper Level Neuroscience Course

Senior Year: Fall

  • Upper Level Neuroscience Course
  • Upper Level Neuroscience Course
  • 080.250 Neuroscience Lab*****

Senior Year: Spring

  • Upper Level Neuroscience Course
  • Elective in (H) or (S)
  • Elective in (H) or (S)

Additional Courses
Students must also take one of the following biology courses. For students who are obtaining a Cellular and Molecular Focus Area, one of the biology options must be Cell Biology with lab.

  • Gen Bio I with lab
  • Gen Bio II with lab
  • Biochem with lab
  • Genetics with lab
  • Cell Bio with lab

*CSI & CSII can be taken sophomore or junior year.
**For Computational Focus Area only.
***Research in Neuroscience and Scientific Communication and Mentoring can be taken at any time. (6 research credits are needed for the major). Students typically take more credits.
****For students interested in applying to medical school.
*****Neuroscience Lab can be taken any time after completing FBBC or CS I & CS II.

Get Experience

Check out our For Current Students section for experiential learning, research opportunities, and teaching assistantships.

Alumni Stories

See where Neuroscience alumni go after completing the program.