Neuroscience and Computer Science (BSNeuCS)
This program provides a strong technical background and solid foundation in the core sciences and related mathematical disciplines for students planning to begin careers upon graduation and for those interested in graduate study in neuroscience, computer science, or a combination of both. Students who would like to pursue this degree must first be admitted.
Total Hours Required: 120
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| C S 312 | Introduction to Programming | 3 |
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 104M | Introduction to Chemical Practice I | 1 |
| BIO 311C | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| C S 311 | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science | 3 |
| C S 314 | Data Structures | 3 |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 104N | Introduction to Chemical Practice II | 1 |
| BIO 311D | Introductory Biology II | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| C S 429 | Computer Organization and Architecture | 4 |
| SDS 321 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| BIO 325 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 206L | Introductory Laboratory Experiments in Biology | 2 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| C S 439 | Principles of Computer Systems | 4 |
| M 340L | Matrices and Matrix Calculations | 3 |
| NEU 330 | Neural Systems I | 3 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| C S 331 | Algorithms and Complexity | 3 |
| PHY 317K | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 105M | Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | 1 |
| NEU 335 | Neural Systems II | 3 |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| C S 342 | Neural Networks | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU | 6 | |
| PHY 317L | General Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 105N | Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | 1 |
| Communication (010) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU | 6 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S | 3 | |
| C S 379N | Neuroscience and Computer Science Capstone | 3 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Choose a sequence below: | 8 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Differential Calculus for Science | ||
| Integral Calculus for Science | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Matrices and Matrix Calculations | ||
or M 341 | Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory | |
| SDS 321 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or M 362K | Probability I | |
| Primary Science | ||
| Computer Science | ||
| C S 311 | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science | 3 |
| or C S 311H | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science: Honors | |
| C S 331 | Algorithms and Complexity | 3 |
| or C S 331H | Algorithms and Complexity: Honors | |
| C S 312 | Introduction to Programming | 3 |
| C S 314 | Data Structures | 3 |
| or C S 314H | Data Structures: Honors | |
| C S 429 | Computer Organization and Architecture | 4 |
| or C S 429H | Computer Organization and Architecture: Honors | |
| C S 439 | Principles of Computer Systems | 4 |
| or C S 439H | Principles of Computer Systems: Honors | |
| C S 342 | Neural Networks | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S, including at least one of the following courses | 6 | |
| Computer Vision | ||
| Computer Graphics | ||
| Principles of Machine Learning I | ||
| Principles of Machine Learning II | ||
| Neuroscience | ||
| BIO 206L | Introductory Laboratory Experiments in Biology | 2 |
| Choose a sequence below: | 6 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | ||
| Genetics: Honors | ||
| NEU 330 | Neural Systems I | 3 |
| NEU 335 | Neural Systems II | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU | 12 | |
| Secondary Science | ||
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| or CH 302C | Foundations of Chemistry II | |
| CH 104M | Introduction to Chemical Practice I | 1 |
| CH 104N | Introduction to Chemical Practice II | 1 |
| Choose a sequence below: | 8 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Engineering Physics I | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | ||
| Engineering Physics II | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | ||
| Sequence 3: | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 301 | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 316 | ||
| Integrated Capstone | ||
| Hours chosen from: (only one course may count for the degree) | 3 | |
| Neuroscience and Computer Science Capstone | ||
| Neuroscience and Computer Science Capstone | ||
Students may substitute one course chosen from: Neuroscience 365L, 366L, 366R, 366W, 367S, 377, 379H, 466G, 466T, Computer Science 370, 370F, 379H, or 374H. | ||
| Subtotal | 88 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 2 | |
| Subtotal | 2 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 30 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 30 | |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Additional Requirements and Policies
Students in this program may not also earn a bachelor’s degree nor transcript-recognized minor or certificate in neuroscience nor computer science.
Students need at least 42 semester hours of upper-division coursework. At least 18 semester hours in biology and neuroscience must be completed in residence. At least 17 hours of computer science upper-division coursework must be completed in residence.
Students must fulfill both the University's general requirements for graduation and the college requirements. They must also earn a grade of at least C- in each mathematics and science course required for the degree, and a grade point average in these courses of at least 2.00. More information about grades and the grade point average is given in the General Information Catalog. An undergraduate may not enroll in any computer science course more than once without written consent of an undergraduate advisor in computer science. No student may enroll in any computer science course more than twice. No student may take more than three upper-division computer science courses in a semester without written consent of an undergraduate advisor in computer science. All transfer coursework must be approved by faculty before it can count towards the degree, except where equivalency is specified by state regulation.