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 and Systems, Cognition and 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, Cognitive & Neural Systems, Computer Science, 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 in the Boston University School of Medicine departments, 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 six basic science courses that provide an appropriate background for neuroscience, three core neuroscience courses, seven electives within the three principal domains, including at least one course from a second domain and no more than two courses from a restricted elective list. At least one upper-level elective must include a lab component. The final requirement is the senior research experience, which is satisfied by successful completion of any of the following: a) Senior Work for Distinction in Neuroscience (CAS NE 401/402), b) at least one semester of Directed Study in Neuroscience (CAS NE 391, 392, 491, or 492) conducted under guidelines established by the program, or c) a second laboratory course from the approved list. A grade of ‘C’ or higher is required in all 17 courses to receive credit toward the major.
Required Basic Science Courses (6)
Two courses in chemistry: CAS CH 101 and 102 (or CH 109 and 110; or CH 111 and 112; or CH 171 and 172). Two courses in calculus: CAS MA 123 (or MA 121) and MA 124 (or MA 122, 127, or 129). One course in biology: CAS BI 108 (or BI 118). One course in statistics: CAS PS 211 (or CAS MA 115 and 116; or MA 213 and 214).
Required Core Courses (3)
CAS NE 201, NE 202, and NE 204.
Upper Level Electives (7)
Choose seven courses from the following three groups. Note: One of the seven courses must contain a laboratory component (marked by an asterisk); to satisfy the breadth requirement, not more than six 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).
Group 1
CAS BI 230, PS 322*, BI 444, BI 445*, BI 455, BI 520, BI 545, BI 575, BI 481, BI 554, BI 599.
Group 2
CAS PS 222, PS 234, PS 323*, PS 333, PS 336, PS 337, PS 338, PS 520*, PS 528, PS 529, PS 544.
Group 3
CAS PS 530, MA 421, MA 565, MA 578, CS 542, CS 565, CN/NE 330*, CN/NE 340*, CN/NE 350*, CN/NE 360*, CN 500*, CN 510, CN 520, CN 530, CN 540, CN 550, CN 560, CN 570, CN 580, SAR HS 361.
Restricted
CAS BI 203, BI 315, CH 203, PY 105 (or PY 211, 241, or 251), PY 106 (or PY 212, 242, or 252), MA 242, MA 226, MA 416, CS 111, CS 112.
Undergraduate Research Options
Students may take CAS NE 191/192 or NE 291/292 for credit, though only CAS NE 391/392 or NE 491/492 or NE 401/402 will satisfy the Senior Research Requirement.
Premedical Students
Premedical students concentrating in neuroscience should visit the Preprofessional Advising Office, CAS Room B2, as early as possible to discuss premedical requirements.
