Neuroscience, Neuroscience Scholars (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 | |
| Hours chosen from: | 4 | |
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Differential Calculus for Science | ||
| Differential and Integral Calculus for the Sciences | ||
| 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 |
| CH 204 | Introduction to Chemical Practice | 2 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| CH 320M | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| BIO 325 | Genetics | 3 |
| CH 204 | Introduction to Chemical Practice | 2 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | 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 X17K & PHY X05M |
General Physics I and Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K |
4 |
| NEU 335 | Neural Systems II | 3 |
| NEU 340 | Neural Systems III: Quantitative Tools | 3 |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY X17L & PHY X05N |
General Physics II and Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L |
4 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU | 3 | |
| NEU 377 | Undergraduate Research | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU | 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 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division NEU lab | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 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 | ||
| 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 |
| CH 204 | Introduction to Chemical Practice | 2 |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: | 6 | |
| Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology II | ||
| Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors and Genetics: Honors | ||
| BIO 206L | Introductory Laboratory Experiments in Biology | 2 |
| Hours chosen from one of the following sequences: | 9 | |
| Biology: | ||
| Genetics | ||
or BIO 325H | Genetics: Honors | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | |
| Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
| Probability I | ||
or SDS 321 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | |
| Physics: | ||
| Biophysics | ||
| Electronic Techniques | ||
| Modern Physics and Thermodynamics | ||
| Psychology: | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Perception | ||
| Psychopharmacology | ||
| Cognition | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 12 | |
| Neurobiology Laboratory | ||
| Neuroimaging Laboratory | ||
| Neuromolecular Genetics and Disease Laboratory | ||
| Undergraduate Research (may only be taken once for credit) | ||
| Functional and Synaptic Neuroanatomy | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 9 | |
| Genetics (may count toward above BIO requirement or this requirement) | ||
| Sleep Science | ||
| Principles of Animal Behavior | ||
| 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 | ||
| NEU 379H | Honors Tutorial Course (The research topic in NEU 379H must relate to neuroscience and be approved in advance by the faculty advisor) | 3 |
| Subtotal | 56 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 17 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 5 | |
| Subtotal | 22 | |
| 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.