The neuroscience major requires that students complete at least 6 credit hours of research. Therefore, students are urged to take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in research projects carried out at any of the Johns Hopkins campuses.

Earning Credit for Research

Between 1-3 credits may be earned for supervised research. The amount is determined at the end of the semester. Each 40 hours of work per semester is worth 1 credit. Because a semester is about 13 weeks long, each credit requires about three hours per week on average. If the student works regularly during the semester, then three hours a week will yield 1 credit, six hours will yield 2 credits, and nine hours will yield 3 credits. Students may, of course, work more some days and weeks than others.

Over the summer and intersession, students may also earn up to 3 credits adhering to the 40-hours-of-work-equals-1-credit formula.

While students are not required to keep time sheets of their hours, they should discuss their work schedule with the principal investigators of the lab and come up with a schedule that will allow them to earn the number of credits they wish to earn during the designated time. Even if students register for 1-3 credits, the actual number of credits earned is determined at the end of the semester by the lab supervisor.

All undergraduate research is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory scale.

Please note: Students can only earn up to 6 credits per academic year of research, tutorial, or internship credits. The academic year begins with the summer session.

Students also need to complete two semesters of Scientific Communication and Mentoring (AS.080.499, formerly AS.080.500). Students are strongly encouraged to only take Scientific Communication and Mentoring when they are either actively involved in research or have completed at least three credits of research.

Ethics Policy

Johns Hopkins requires that students adhere to the ethics policies of the university and the American Psychological Association.

Bascom Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories

The 105,000-square-foot Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories brings under one roof undergraduate labs and faculty in the Neuroscience Program and the departments of Chemistry, Biology, Biophysics, and Psychological and Brain Sciences.