Neuroscience, Neuroscience (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 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| BIO 311C | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| M 408S | Integral Calculus for Science | 4 |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| BIO 311D | Introductory Biology II | 3 |
| BIO 206L | Introductory Laboratory Experiments in Biology | 2 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| BIO 325 | Genetics | 3 |
| CH 320M | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 204 | Introduction to Chemical Practice | 2 |
| SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CH 320N | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 220C | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| NEU 330 | Neural Systems I | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| 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 |
| BCH 369 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 3 |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY 317L | General Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 105N | Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | 1 |
| NEU 340 | Neural Systems III: Quantitative Tools | 3 |
| NEU 367C | Cellular and Molecular Bases of Neural Development | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| NEU 367F | Foundations of Human Neuroimaging | 3 |
| NEU 365E | Epigenetics of Neuroscience | 3 |
| NEU 377 | Undergraduate Research | 3 |
| NEU 365L | Neurobiology Laboratory | 3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NEU 366D | Synaptic Physiology and Plasticity | 3 |
| NEU 366S | Neuromolecular Genetics and Disease Laboratory | 3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 6 | |
| 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 | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 4 | |
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Differential Calculus for Science and Integral Calculus for Science | ||
| Differential and Integral Calculus for the Sciences and Integral Calculus for Science | ||
| SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | 3 |
| 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 204 | Introduction to Chemical Practice | 2 |
| BIO 311C | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| BIO 311D | Introductory Biology II | 3 |
| BIO 206L | Introductory Laboratory Experiments in Biology | 2 |
| BIO 325 | Genetics | 3 |
| Hours chosen from upper-division neuroscience chosen from the following: | 15 | |
| 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 | ||
| Neurobiology Laboratory | ||
| 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 | ||
| Neuroimaging Laboratory | ||
| Rhythms in the Nervous System | ||
| Neuromolecular Genetics and Disease Laboratory | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Bases of Neural Development | ||
| Foundations of Human Neuroimaging | ||
| Analytical Skepticism | ||
| Evolutionary Neurobiology | ||
| Undergraduate Research (may be repeated once for credit) | ||
| Honors Tutorial Course (The research topic in Neuroscience 379H must relate to neuroscience and be approved in advance by the faculty advisor) | ||
| Functional and Synaptic Neuroanatomy | ||
| Hours chosen from upper-division laboratory course work chosen from the following: | 6 | |
| Neurobiology Laboratory | ||
| Neuroimaging Laboratory | ||
| Neuromolecular Genetics and Disease Laboratory | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Functional and Synaptic Neuroanatomy | ||
| Neurobiology Laboratory | ||
| Neuroimaging Laboratory | ||
| Neuromolecular Genetics and Disease Laboratory | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Functional and Synaptic Neuroanatomy (may count toward requirement 10 or requirement 11) | ||
| Subtotal | 47 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 17 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 14 | |
| Subtotal | 31 | |
| General Education | ||
| Core Curriculum | 42 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 42 | |
| 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.