Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024 - 2025 College Catalog Degree Requirement: Neuroscience, BS Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Neuroscience, BS

View the Neuroscience Program website

Neuroscience investigates the molecular, cellular, and genetic aspects of nervous system functioning as well as their influences on behavior. The major in neuroscience allows for the exploration of the brain from primarily a biological, chemical, and psychological perspective. The understanding of neuroscience requires knowledge about the function of neurons and the function of various brain regions and their relation to behavior. It also requires a grasp of the methodology behind neuroscientific research, including development, analysis, and interpretation of empirical studies. The major places a strong emphasis on scaffolded, directed research experiences within neuroscience. In addition, the neuroscience major creates an environment where faculty and students work collaboratively on neuroscience-related research questions.

Any student with an interest in pursuing the neuroscience major should consult with the program chair. Students are encouraged to declare their major by the end of the sophomore year. Students should also seek an adviser, whether formal or informal, from participating faculty.

Learning Outcomes

  • At the completion of the Neuroscience major, students will be able to explain the key concepts in neuroscience including, biochemical interactions, cellular mechanisms, anatomical structures, sensory and perceptual processes, animal behavior, and/or the concept of the mind.
  • At the completion of the Neuroscience major, students will be able to identify, locate, and evaluate Neuroscience-related primary literature.
  • At the completion of the Neuroscience major, students will be able to develop evidence-based arguments related to concepts in Neuroscience.
  • At the completion of the Neuroscience major, students will be able to design studies using the scientific method to address a problem in Neuroscience.
  • At the completion of the Neuroscience major, students will be able to use appropriate statistical and methodological approaches to analyze data.
  • At the completion of the Neuroscience major, students will be able to construct an organized written product that conveys scientific information at a level appropriate to the audience.
  • At the completion of the Neuroscience major, students will be able to effectively orally communicate research ideas to a cross-disciplinary audience.
  • At the completion of the Neuroscience major, students will be able to work collaboratively with other students and faculty members on classwork and in the laboratory.

Degree Requirements

General College Requirements

General College Requirements, including the following requirements to satisfy the major.

  • A t least 54 credit hours as specified in the following categories below (Required Courses, Statistics Course(s), Electives, St. Mary’s Project).
  • A grade of C or better must be earned  in all courses used to satisfy the major
  • The cumulative grade point average of courses used to satisfy the major must be at least 2.00.
  • Courses taken for credit/no credit may not be used to satisfy requirements.

 

Required Courses: (31 credits)

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
BIOL 105 - Principles of Biology I Credit Hours: 4
BIOL 105L - Principles of Biology Lab I Credit Hours: 1
BIOL 106 - Principles of Biology II Credit Hours: 4
BIOL 106L - Principles of Biology II Lab Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 106 - General Chemistry II (Must co-enroll in CHEM 106L) Credit Hours: 4
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hours: 4
NEUR 201 - Introduction to Neuroscience Credit Hours: 1
NEUR 201L - Introduction to Neuroscience Laboratory Credit Hours: 4
NEUR 310 - Special Topics in Neuroscience Credit Hours: 4

Required Statistics Course(s): (4-8 credits)

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
PSYC 204 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing I Credit Hours: 4

 

PSYC 206 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing II Credit Hours: 4

OR

BIOL 311 - Biostatistics (Must co-enroll in BIOL 311L) Credit Hours: 4

Elective courses (12 Credits)

12 credit-hours of upper-level elective credits selected from the following list and not used to fulfill any other NEUR major requirement.

  • Electives must originate from at least two disciplines (BIOL, CHEM, NEUR, PHIL, PSYC).
  • At least two elective courses must have a laboratory component.
  • *Each Topics course must be approved by the Neuroscience Program Chair for content relevance.

 
 
Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
BIOL 305 - Animal Behavior (Must co-enroll in BIOL 305L) Credit Hours: 4
BIOL 330 - Human Anatomy and Physiology (Must co-enroll in BIOL 330L) Credit Hours: 4
BIOL 380 - Topics in Biology * Credit Hours: 2-4
BIOL 387 - Sensory Biology (Must co-enroll in BIOL 387L) Credit Hours: 4
BIOL 419 - Neurobiology (Must co-enroll in BIOL 419L) Credit Hours: 4
BIOL 436 - Comparative Animal Physiology (Must co-enroll in BIOL 436L) Credit Hours: 4
BIOL 438 - Cancer Cell Biology (Must co-enroll in BIOL 438L) Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 420 - Biochemistry I (Must co-enroll in CHEM 420L) Credit Hours: 4

 

CHEM 425 - Biochemistry II Credit Hours: 4
BIOL 425 - Biochemistry II Credit Hours: 4

 

CHEM 480 - Topics in Chemistry * Credit Hours: 2-4
NEUR 302 - Neuroscience Research and Seminar. Credit Hours: 4
NEUR 310 - Special Topics in Neuroscience (cannot take the same topic more than once) Credit Hours: 4
PHIL 382 - Meditation and the Mind Credit Hours: 4

 

PSYC 322 - Biological Psychology plus Laboratory (Must co-enroll in PSYC 322L) Credit Hours: 5

OR

PSYC 323 - Laboratory Seminar in Biological and Sensory Processes Credit Hours: 4

 

PSYC 414 - Drugs, Brain, and Behavior Credit Hours: 4
PSYC 484 - Advanced Topics in Biological and Sensory Processes * Credit Hours: 4

Capstone (8 Credits)

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
NEUR 493 - St. Mary’s Project (Will accept an SMP in any discipline) Credit Hours: 1-8
NEUR 494 - St. Mary’s Project (Will accept an SMP in any discipline) Credit Hours: 1-8

Sequence of Study

Students should work with their advisors to develop an academic plan. This sequence provides an example course progression to complete the major in four years.

First Year

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed

Fall:

 

LEAD 101 - First Year Seminar Credit Hours: 4
LEAD 111 - Career & Network Navigation I Credit Hours: 1
  • LEAD/Inquiry Course
  • BIOL 105 - Principles of Biology I Credit Hours: 4
    CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4

     

    Spring:

     

    LEAD 112 - Career & Network Navigation II Credit Hours: 1
  • LEAD/Inquiry Course
  • PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hours: 4
    BIOL 106 - Principles of Biology II Credit Hours: 4
    CHEM 106 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4

    Second Year

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed

    Fall:

     

    LEAD 211 - The Honors College Externship Credit Hours: 2
  • ILC course at appropriate level
  • LEAD/Inquiry Course
  • PSYC 204 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing I OR Credit Hours: 4
    BIOL 311 - Biostatistics Credit Hours: 4

     

    Spring:

     

  • LEAD/Inquiry Course
  • ILC course at appropriate level
  • NEUR 201 - Introduction to Neuroscience Credit Hours: 1
    PSYC 206 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing II (if PSYC204 was taken) Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Course (if BIOL311 was taken)
  • Third Year

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed

    Fall:

     

  • NEUR Elective Course With Lab
  • Upper Level Elective
  • Elective Course
  • Elective Course
  •  

    Spring:

     

  • NEUR Elective Course With Lab
  • Upper Level Elective
  • NEUR 310 - Special Topics in Neuroscience Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Course
  • Fourth Year

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed

    Fall:

     

    NEUR 493 - St. Mary’s Project Credit Hours: 1-8
  • NEUR Elective Course
  • Upper Level Elective
  • Elective Course
  •  

    Spring:

     

    NEUR 494 - St. Mary’s Project Credit Hours: 1-8
  • Upper Level Elective
  • Upper Level Elective
  • Elective Course
  • Notes: