Neuroscience

The undergraduate program in neuroscience offers a major in neuroscience that is distinctly interdisciplinary. Insofar as the field has grown considerably through integration across disciplines over the last few decades, a current understanding requires knowledge that spans traditional approaches. The major combines breadth of exposure to the field with the opportunity for depth of experience in one of three central domains of neuroscience: cellular & systems, cognition & behavior, and computational neuroscience. Students have access to the extensive resources and expertise of faculty across multiple departments and colleges throughout the University. A wide array of courses are offered through the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Health Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics, and Psychology. Opportunities for independent laboratory research are available through departments in the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, and Engineering, and at the Boston University School of Medicine, including Anatomy & Neurobiology, Biochemistry, Neurology, Pathology, Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Physiology & Biophysics, Psychiatry, and Radiology.

Major in Neuroscience

A total of 17 courses are required for the neuroscience major, and are distributed among seven basic science courses that provide an appropriate background for neuroscience, five core neuroscience courses, and five electives within the three principal domains (cellular and systems, cognition and behavior, and computational), including at least one course from a second domain and no more than two courses from a restricted electives list. At least one upper-level elective must include a lab component. Note: 8 credits in the form of at least two consecutive semesters of faculty-mentored research during the junior or senior year will satisfy the upper-level lab course requirement. This includes the two-semester Honors Thesis in Neuroscience (CAS NE 401/402), or two consecutive semesters of Directed Study in Neuroscience (CAS NE 391, 392, 491, or 492) conducted under guidelines established by the program. A grade of C or higher is required in all 17 courses to receive credit toward the major.

Required Basic Science Courses (7)

Two courses in chemistry: CAS CH 101 and 102 (or CH 109 and 110; or CH 111 and 112). Two courses in physics: PY 105 and 106 (or PY 211 and 212; or PY 241 and 242; or PY 251 and 252). Two courses in calculus: CAS MA 123 (or MA 121) and CAS MA 124 (or MA 122); or a one-semester replacement (CAS MA 127 or MA 129). One course in statistics: CAS PS 211 (or CAS MA 115 and 116; or MA 213 and 214).

Required Core Courses (5)

CAS NE 101, NE 102*, NE 202, NE 203* (or BI 325), and NE 204. (Note: NE 102 is a prerequisite for NE 203; *contains a lab component). Successful completion of both NE 102 and NE 203 satisfies the upper-level lab requirement. Students who elect BI 325 instead of NE 203 will still be required to take an upper-level lab course.

Upper-Level Electives (5)

Choose five courses from the following three groups. Note: One of the five courses must contain a lab component (marked by an asterisk) unless the student has successfully completed both CAS NE 102 and NE 203; to satisfy the breadth requirement, not more than four courses may come from one group; up to two courses may come from a fourth, restricted elective list (these courses will not satisfy the breadth requirement or the upper-level lab course requirement).

Group 1: Cellular and Systems Neuroscience

CAS PS 322*, BI 444, BI 445*, BI 455, BI 545, BI 481, BI 520, BI 554, BI 599; GMS AN 718, PM 700.

Group 2: Cognition and Behavior

CAS PS 222, PS 234, PS 323*, PS 333, PS 337, PS 338, PS 528, PS 529, PS 544.

Group 3: Computational Science

CAS BI 502, PS 530, MA 421, MA 565, MA 578, CS 542, CS 565, NE 340*, NE 360/SAR HS 361*, CN 500*, CN 520, CN 530*, CN 540*, CN 550*, CN 560*, CN 570, CN 580.

Restricted

CAS BI 203, BI 315, CH 203, MA 226, MA 242, MA 416, CS 111, CS 112; ENG EK 127.

Undergraduate Research Options

Students may take CAS NE 191/192 or NE 291/292 for credit, although only CAS NE 391/392 or NE 491/492 or NE 401/402 will satisfy the upper-level lab requirement.

Premedical Students

Premedical students concentrating in neuroscience should visit the Pre-Professional Advising Office, CAS Room B2, as early as possible to discuss premedical requirements.