About the Program
The Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience. As a field that has grown considerably through integration across disciplines over the last few decades, a current understanding requires knowledge that spans traditional approaches. The new program combines breadth of exposure to the field with the opportunity for depth of experience in one of three central domains of neuroscience: Cellular and Systems, Cognition and Behavior, and Computational Neuroscience. Students will 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, Cognitive & Neural Systems, Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics, and Psychology. Opportunities for independent laboratory research are available through multiple departments in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Engineering, and at Boston University School of Medicine, including Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biochemistry, Neurology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Physiology and Biophysics, and Psychiatry.
In addition to the requirements of the major, students also must satisfy the requirement for general education through either the Core Curriculum [8] or the Divisional Studies Program [6], and the college language requirement [4]. Both general education programs are designed to provide exposure to and perspective of topics beyond one’s major concentration and immediate academic focus, and to facilitate the acquisition of intellectual tools necessary for success in advanced study. The Core Curriculum consists of eight courses that integrate classic works in the humanities, important ideas in the natural sciences, and current topics within the social sciences. Each course consists of small seminar groups combined with a series of lectures; science core courses include both discussions and laboratories.
The Divisional Studies Program requires six one-semester divisional studies courses, two in each of the three divisions outside the division of one’s major concentration. Divisional studies courses are accessible to non-majors and effectively serve as a broad introduction to a specific discipline. Additional information about general education requirements and both the Core Curriculum and Divisional Studies Program can be found here.
The program is directed by Professor Howard Eichenbaum, University Professor, Director of the Boston University Center for Neuroscience, Director of the Center for Memory and Brain, and a Professor in the Department of Psychology. The academic director for the program is Dr. Paul Lipton, Director of Undergraduate Academic and Research Affairs, and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. The program administrator is Lindsey Clarkson. Our offices are located on the first floor of 2 Cummington Street, Rooms 109 and 114 (Ph: 617-358-5150 or 617-358-3298). An advisory curriculum committee charged with overseeing curricular development and facilitation of undergraduate research opportunities is composed of Professors Vincent Dionne (Biology), Nancy Koppel (Mathematics and Statistics), Ennio Mingolla (Cognitive and Neural Systems), David Somers (Psychology), and Paul Lipton (Psychology).
All courses available for credit toward a B.A. in Neuroscience are taught by affiliated faculty housed within multiple departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, including Biology, Cognitive and Neural Systems, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, and Psychology, and Health Sciences in Sargent College. Together they offer over 50 upper level neuroscience electives, including laboratory courses and seminars. Undergraduate research opportunities are available in neuroscience laboratories throughout the university in over 30 departments across both the Charles River and Medical campuses.
Academic advising for neuroscience students is arranged and available through Dr. Paul Lipton. To set up an appointment, please email Lindsey Clarkson.