Neuroscience, Neuroscience Honors (BSNeurosci)
Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
The Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience provides a strong foundation in the core sciences and related mathematical disciplines, along with the opportunity for training in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, or psychology. Distinctive features of the program include an emphasis on developing the quantitative, statistical, mathematical, and computational skills required in neuroscience, and meaningful hands-on laboratory experience.
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 | |
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| BIO 315H | Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | 3 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BIO 325H | Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| CH 302C | Foundations of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 204 | Introduction to Chemical Practice | 2 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Hours chosen from: BIO, CH, PHY, CS, or M sequence | 3 | |
| BIO 206L | Introductory Laboratory Experiments in Biology | 2 |
| SDS 321 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Hours chosen from: BIO, CH, PHY, CS, or M sequence | 3 | |
| NEU 330 | Neural Systems I | 3 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHY 317K | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 105M | Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | 1 |
| NEU 335 | Neural Systems II | 3 |
| NEU 340 | Neural Systems III: Quantitative Tools | 3 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: BIO, CH, PHY, CS, or M sequence | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY 317L | General Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 105N | Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | 1 |
| Liberal Arts/Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU | 3 | |
| RHE 309S | Critical Reading and Persuasive Writing | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| NEU 379H | Honors Tutorial Course | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU lab | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NEU 379H | Honors Tutorial Course | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU lab | 3 | |
| Liberal Arts/Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | ||
| Breadth Requirement (Credit earned by examination may not be counted toward this requirement) | ||
| Honors mathematics course | 3 | |
| BIO 315H | Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| BIO 325H | Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 302C | Foundations of Chemistry II | 3 |
| Honors-designated course from a department in the College of Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Statistics (Other statistics courses may be approved by the departmental honors advisor) | ||
| SDS 321 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | |
| CH 204 | Introduction to Chemical Practice | 2 |
| BIO 206L | Introductory Laboratory Experiments in Biology | 2 |
| Hours chosen from one of the following sequences: | 9 | |
| Biology: | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Developmental, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Biology | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Chemistry: | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Physical Chemistry I | ||
or CH 353M | Physical Chemistry I for Life Sciences | |
| Fundamentals of Biochemistry | ||
| Physics: | ||
| Biophysics | ||
| Electronic Techniques | ||
| Modern Physics and Thermodynamics | ||
| Computer Science: | ||
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Data Structures | ||
| Visualization and Data Analysis for Science and Engineering | ||
| Mathematics: | ||
| Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | ||
or M 427K | Advanced Calculus for Applications I | |
| Advanced Calculus for Applications II | ||
| Matrices and Matrix Calculations | ||
or M 341 | Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory | |
| Probability I | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
| Probability I (may not count both SDS 321 and M 362K) | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 6 | |
| Neurobiology Laboratory | ||
| Neuroimaging Laboratory | ||
| Neuromolecular Genetics and Disease Laboratory | ||
| Functional and Synaptic Neuroanatomy | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 6 | |
| Sleep Science | ||
| Principles of Animal Behavior | ||
| Topics in Neuroscience | ||
| Topics in Neuroscience | ||
| Selected Topics in Neuroscience | ||
| Comparative Animal Physiology | ||
| Principles of Drug Action | ||
| Epigenetics of Neuroscience | ||
| Advanced Experimental Neurobiology | ||
| Nerve Regeneration in Invertebrates and Vertebrates | ||
| Programming and Data Analysis for Modern Neuroscience | ||
| Neurobiology of Disease | ||
| Neurobiology of Addiction | ||
| Ion Channels and the Molecular Physiology of Neuronal Signaling | ||
| Synaptic Physiology and Plasticity | ||
| Rhythms in the Nervous System | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Bases of Neural Development | ||
| Foundations of Human Neuroimaging | ||
| Analytical Skepticism | ||
| Evolutionary Neurobiology | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Hours chosen from one of the following sections approved by the departmental honors advisor: | 3 | |
| First-Year Signature Course | ||
or UGS 303 | First-Year Signature Course | |
| RHE 309S | Critical Reading and Persuasive Writing (A section that is restricted to students in the Dean's Scholars Honors Program) | 3 |
| NEU 679H | Honors Tutorial Course (two semesters) | 6 |
| Additional coursework approved by the departmental honors advisor | 15 | |
| Coursework from the College of Liberal Arts and/or the College of Fine Arts | 6 | |
| Subtotal | 79 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 17 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | ||
| Subtotal | 17 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 24 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Degree-Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience (BSNeurosci)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NEU 330 | Neural Systems I | 3 |
| NEU 335 | Neural Systems II | 3 |
| NEU 340 | Neural Systems III: Quantitative Tools | 3 |
| Hours chosen from one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Engineering Physics I | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | ||
| Sequence 3: | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 301 | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 316 | ||
| Total Hours | 17 | |
At least 36 semester hours of upper-division coursework must be completed.
At least 21 semester hours of upper-division coursework must be completed in residence at the University.
At least 18 semester hours of Biology and Neuroscience coursework must be completed in residence at the University.
Additional Requirements and Policy
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.
Additional Requirements and Policy
To graduate under Neuroscience Honors, students must remain in good standing in the Dean's Scholars Honors Program, must submit an honors thesis approved by the departmental honors advisor, and must present their research in an approved public forum, such as the college's annual Undergraduate Research Forum.