Requirements for the Major

The major consists of twelve courses, including nine core courses and three electives from the lists to follow. Advanced placement credits may not be used to fulfill any of the course requirements for the major. Independent study in neuroscience may be used to fulfill one of the two elective credits. If students place out of Psychology 101 or Biology 109, twelve courses related to neuroscience must still be completed.

Note: The information provided below is a listing of required and elective courses for the major in neuroscience. These courses are offered by other departments and programs within the College. Please refer to the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology for further information, including course descriptions, instructors, and semesters when these courses will next be offered.

I. Core Courses

Introductory Level and General Courses:

  • Biology 109a - MCSR, INS. Scientific Reasoning in Biology or Biology 102a - MCSR, INS. Biological Principles II
  • Chemistry 102a. Introductory Chemistry or Chemistry 109a - MCSR, INS. General Chemistry
  • Chemistry 225a. Organic Chemistry I
  • Psychology 101b. Introduction to Psychology
  • Psychology 252a - MCSR. Data Analysis or Mathematics 165a - MCSR. Biostatistics

Introductory Neuroscience Course:

  • Biology 213a - MCSR, INS. Neurobiology or Psychology 218a. Physiological Psychology

Mid-level Neuroscience Courses:

Three of the following:

  • Biology 253a. Neurophysiology
  • Biology 266a. Molecular Neurobiology
  • Psychology 275a - INS. Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience: Social Behavior
  • Psychology 276a - INS. Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience: Learning and Memory

Advanced Neuroscience Course:

One of the following:

  • Biology 325a. Topics in Neuroscience
  • [Biology 329a. Neuronal Regeneration]
  • [Psychology 313a. Advanced Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience]
  • Psychology 315a. Hormones and Behavior
  • Psychology 316a. Comparative Neuroanatomy
  • Psychology 318a. Neuroethology (same as Biology 318)
  • Psychology 319a. Memory and Brain

II. Electives

Three electives may be chosen from the courses listed above (but not already taken) or below:

  • Biology 101a - MCSR, INS. Biological Principles I
  • Biology 212a - MCSR, INS. Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Biology 214a - MCSR, INS. Comparative Physiology
  • Biology 217a - MCSR, INS. Developmental Biology
  • Biology 224a - MCSR, INS. Biochemistry and Cell Biology
  • Biology 333a. Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Chemistry 232a - MCSR. Biochemistry
  • Computer Science 355a. Cognitive Architecture
  • Mathematics 204a - MCSR. Biomathematics (same as Biology 174)
  • Physics 104a - MCSR, INS. Introductory Physics II
  • Psychology 210b. Infant and Child Development
  • Psychology 216b. Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychology 251b. Research Design in Psychology
  • Psychology 260b. Abnormal Psychology
  • Psychology 270b. Laboratory in Cognition
  • Neuroscience 291a–294a. Intermediate Independent Study
  • Neuroscience 401a–404a. Advanced Independent Study and Honors