Neuroscience (BA/BS)

Neuroscience is for undergraduate students interested in studying the relationship between the brain and behavior. Coursework is jointly taught by biology, human physiology and psychology faculty to provide well-rounded training. Foundational courses are in biology, chemistry, human physiology, math, physics, and psychology. Upper division coursework focuses on three main areas of neuroscience: molecular/cellular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, and cognitive neuroscience. Students can also take advanced skills courses in programming or computational techniques. They may also conduct cutting-edge research in a neuroscience lab.

Neuroscience graduates will have a strong understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system, demonstrate critical thinking, quantitative and analytical skills, and communicate effectively about neuroscience research.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate broad-based content knowledge and understanding of terminology and concepts in neuroscience at multiple levels of organization.
  • Critically read and evaluate scientific information.
  • Apply data analysis skills to understand neuroscience information.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively about neuroscience information.

Neuroscience Major

As outlined below, the Neuroscience majors consists of the following components:  1) foundation courses in the natural sciences; 2) math and statistics coursework; 3) life science fundamentals; 4) a core neuroscience sequence; 5) upper-division elective courses; and 6) advanced skills courses and/or research experience.  The total number of credits is 104-107 (depending on whether majors complete the General Biology Sequence or the Biology Honors Sequence). 

Foundation Courses in Natural Sciences:49-52
General Biology I: Cells
and General Biology II: Organisms
and General Biology IV: Biochemistry and Genetics
Accelerated Biology I: Cells, Biochemistry and Physiology
and Accelerated Biology II: Genetics and Molecular Biology
and Accelerated Biology III: Evolution, Diversity and Ecology
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry III
Advanced General Chemistry I
and Advanced General Chemistry II
and Advanced General Chemistry III
General Physics
and General Physics
and General Physics
Foundations of Physics I
and Foundations of Physics I
and Foundations of Physics I
General Chemistry Laboratory
and General Chemistry Laboratory
and General Chemistry Laboratory
Introductory Physics Laboratory
and Introductory Physics Laboratory
and Introductory Physics Laboratory
Introduction to Psychology I
Math and Statistics Courses:8
Calculus for the Biological Sciences I
Calculus I
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Methods I
Statistical Analysis of Biological Anthropology
Life Science Fundamentals:7
Medical Terminology
Scientific Investigation in Physiology
Core Neuroscience: Sequence order is recommended but not required18
Human Anatomy I
and Human Physiology I (Fall)
Biopsychology (Winter)
Neurobiology (Spring)
Upper Division Electives: 116
Molecular/Cellular/Developmental
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Animal Physiology
Protein Toxins in Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics of Human Disease
Cellular Neuroscience
Developmental Neurobiology
Neural Development
Systems
Sensory Physiology
Systems Neuroscience
Motor Control
Sleep Physiology
Neurophysiology of Concussion
Movement Disorders
Clinical Neuroscience
Brain Mechanisms of Behavior
Hormones and Behavior
Cognitive
Cognition
Music and the Brain
Psychoactive Drugs
Learning and Memory
Human Performance
Perception
Cognitive Neuroscience
Decision-Making
Cognitive Development
Advanced Skills Courses and Research Experience8
Research: [Topic]
Thesis
Machine Learning
Research: [Topic]
Thesis
Research: [Topic]
Thesis
Applied Data Analysis
Total Credits106-109
1

16 required credits with at least 12 credits from 400-level courses; at least one course from each of the three area

Additional Requirements

  • Courses used to fulfill the major requirements must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C or better. Coursework transferred in from Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams are acceptable with a mark of P*.
  • At least 34 credits of coursework applied to the major must be taken at the University of Oregon.

Criteria for Honors

To graduate with Honors in Neuroscience, the following requirements must be met:

  1. A completed Neuroscience Honors application with signature of a faculty research advisor from BI, HPHY or PSY
  2. Completion of all Neuroscience major requirements
  3. A minimum 3.5 GPA in all courses applied to the major
  4. At least three credits in BI 403, HPHY 403, or PSY 403 Thesis (These credits may be applied to the advanced skills courses and research experience requirement).
  5. Completion of an honors thesis under supervision of a committee, consisting of one BI, HPHY, or PSY faculty member and at least one other committee member (Ph.D. student, postdoctoral scholar, or faculty) from BI, HPHY, or PSY.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Neuroscience Bachelor of Arts 

Degree Map
First Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principles 4
MATH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions 4
WR 121Z Composition I 4
Language 101 4
 Credits 16
Winter
CH 221 General Chemistry I 4
CH 227 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
MATH 112Z Precalculus II: Trigonometry 4
WR 123 College Composition III 4
Language 102 4
 Credits 18
Spring
CH 222 General Chemistry II 4
CH 228 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
MATH 246 Calculus for the Biological Sciences I 4
Language 103 4
 Credits 14
Second Year
Fall
BI 211 General Biology I: Cells 5
CH 223 General Chemistry III 4
CH 229 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
HPHY 211 Medical Terminology 3
Language 201 4
 Credits 18
Winter
BI 212 General Biology II: Organisms 5
HPHY 212 Scientific Investigation in Physiology 4
PSY 201Z Introduction to Psychology I 4
Language 202 4
 Credits 17
Spring
BI 214 General Biology IV: Biochemistry and Genetics 5
PSY 302 Statistical Methods in Psychology 4
Core education course 4
Language 203 4
 Credits 17
Third Year
Fall
HPHY 321 Human Anatomy I 5
HPHY 322 Human Physiology I 5
PHYS 201 General Physics 4
BI 401
Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
2
 Credits 16
Winter
PSY 304 Biopsychology 4
PHYS 202 General Physics 4
Core education course 4
BI 401
Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
2
 Credits 14
Spring
BI 360 Neurobiology 4
PHYS 203 General Physics 4
Core education course 4
BI 401
Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
2
 Credits 14
Fourth Year
Fall
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Core education course 4
Core education course 4
BI 401
Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
2
 Credits 14
Winter
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Core education course 4
 Credits 12
Spring
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Core education course 4
Core education course 4
 Credits 12
 Total Credits 182

Neuroscience Bachelor of Science

Degree Map
First Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principles 4
MATH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions 4
WR 121Z Composition I 4
Core education course 4
 Credits 16
Winter
CH 221 General Chemistry I 4
CH 227 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
MATH 112Z Precalculus II: Trigonometry 4
WR 123 College Composition III 4
 Credits 14
Spring
CH 222 General Chemistry II 4
CH 228 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
MATH 246 Calculus for the Biological Sciences I 4
PSY 201Z Introduction to Psychology I 4
 Credits 14
Second Year
Fall
BI 211 General Biology I: Cells 5
CH 223 General Chemistry III 4
CH 229 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
HPHY 211 Medical Terminology 3
 Credits 14
Winter
BI 212 General Biology II: Organisms 5
HPHY 212 Scientific Investigation in Physiology 4
Core education course 4
Core education course 4
 Credits 17
Spring
BI 214 General Biology IV: Biochemistry and Genetics 5
PSY 302 Statistical Methods in Psychology 4
Core education course 4
Elective or Cultural Literacy course 4
 Credits 17
Third Year
Fall
HPHY 321 Human Anatomy I 5
HPHY 322 Human Physiology I 5
PHYS 201 General Physics 4
BI 401
Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
2
 Credits 16
Winter
PSY 304 Biopsychology 4
PHYS 202 General Physics 4
Core education course 4
BI 401
Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
2
Elective course 1
 Credits 15
Spring
BI 360 Neurobiology 4
PHYS 203 General Physics 4
Core education course 4
BI 401
Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
2
 Credits 14
Fourth Year
Fall
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Core education course 4
BI 401
Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
or Research: [Topic]
2
 Credits 14
Winter
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Core education course 4
Elective or Cultural Literacy course 4
 Credits 16
Spring
Upper-division NEURO elective 4
Elective courses 9
 Credits 13
 Total Credits 180