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 101-104. 

Foundation Courses in Natural Sciences:49-52
Principles of Biology I: Cells
and Principles of 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
Advanced General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Advanced General Chemistry II
General Chemistry III
Advanced General Chemistry III
General Physics
Foundations of Physics I
General Physics
Foundations of Physics I
General Physics
Foundations of Physics I
Introduction to Psychology I
Select one of the options:
Option A: 1
General Chemistry I Laboratory
and Chemistry Tools I
General Chemistry II Laboratory
and Chemistry Tools II
General Chemistry III Laboratory
and Chemistry Tools III
Option B:
Introductory Physics Laboratory
and Introductory Physics Laboratory
and Introductory Physics Laboratory
Math and Statistics Courses:8
Calculus for the Biological Sciences I
Differential Calculus
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Methods I
Statistical Analysis of Biological Anthropology
Life Science Fundamentals:7
Medical Terminology
Scientific Investigation in Physiology
Core Neuroscience: 13
Neurobiology
Human Anatomy I (or an equivalent Neuroanatomy course) 2
Biopsychology
Upper Division Electives: 316
Molecular/Cellular/Developmental
Molecular Genetics
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Protein Toxins in Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics of Human Disease
Cellular Neuroscience
Developmental Neurobiology
Neural Development
Systems
Sensory Physiology
Animal Behavior
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 Credits101-104
1

Students who transfer CH 227Z/228Z/229Z credits from other schools may have the corresponding CH 217/218/219 course and credit requirements waived.

2

Please contact the program's advisor for more information.

3

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/PSY 403 Thesis or BI 401/HPHY 401/PSY 401 Research. (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.

Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

Degree Map
First Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principles Preparation for CH 2214
MATH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions 4
WR 121Z Composition I 4
Core-education course Arts & Letters or Social Science4
 Credits 16
Winter
CH 221Z General Chemistry I 4
CH 227Z
CH 217
General Chemistry I Laboratory
and Chemistry Tools I
One year of either chemistry lab or physics lab is required2
MATH 112Z Precalculus II: Trigonometry 4
WR 123 College Composition III 4
 Credits 14
Spring
CH 222Z General Chemistry II 4
CH 228Z
CH 218
General Chemistry II Laboratory
and Chemistry Tools II
2
MATH 246 Calculus for the Biological Sciences I Recommended instead of MATH 251Z4
PSY 201Z Introduction to Psychology I 4
 Credits 14
Second Year
Fall
BI 221Z Principles of Biology I: Cells 5
CH 223Z General Chemistry III 4
CH 229Z
CH 219
General Chemistry III Laboratory
and Chemistry Tools III
2
HPHY 211 Medical Terminology 3
 Credits 14
Winter
BI 222Z Principles of Biology II: Organisms 5
HPHY 212 Scientific Investigation in Physiology 4
Core-education course Arts & Letters or Social Science4
Core-education course Arts & Letters or Social Science4
 Credits 17
Spring
BI 214 General Biology IV: Biochemistry and Genetics 5
PSY 302 Statistical Methods in Psychology 4
Core-education course Arts & Letters or Social Science4
Cultural literacy course Global Perspectives or US: DIA4
 Credits 17
Third Year
Fall
PSY 304 Biopsychology Neuroscience core course4
PHYS 201 General Physics One year of either chemistry or physics lab is required4
Core-education course Arts & Letters or Social Science4
BI 401 Research: [Topic] Eight credits of research or advanced skills courses are required2
 Credits 14
Winter
HPHY 321 Human Anatomy I (or an equivalent Neuroanatomy course) 1 Neuroscience core course5
PHYS 202 General Physics 4
Core-education course Arts & Letters or Social Science4
PSY 401 Research: [Topic] If not involved in research, take an advanced skills course2
 Credits 15
Spring
BI 360 Neurobiology Neuroscience core course4
PHYS 203 General Physics 4
PSY 449 Cognitive Neuroscience Or other upper-division Cognitive course4
Core-education course Arts & Letters or Social Science4
 Credits 16
Fourth Year
Fall
HPHY 436 Clinical Neuroscience Or other upper-division Systems course4
BI 430 Analysis of Neural Data Or other advanced skills course4
Core-education course Arts & Letters or Social Science4
Cultural literacy course Global Perspectives or US: DIA4
 Credits 16
Winter
BI 322 Cell Biology Or other upper-division Molecular/Cellular/Developmental course4
BI 461 Systems Neuroscience Four NEUR elective courses are required, at least three at the 400-level4
Electives Can include additional NEUR coursework7
 Credits 15
Spring
Electives Can include additional NEUR coursework12
 Credits 12
 Total Credits 180
1

Please contact the program's advisor for more information.