Neuroscience Program

Example Course Plans for Neuroscience Majors

There are many paths through the major. These are just some examples of how students with different interests might structure their course plans. (Last updated August 2024)

Example Plan 1 with Bio/Pre-Med Focus

  First Year Sophomore Junior Senior
Fall BIOL 14a

CHEM 11a/15a and
CHEM 18a/19a (lab)

MATH 10a/10b/
15a
CHEM 25a and CHEM 29a (lab)*

BIOL 12b (or 18b only for BIOL double-majors) (lab)

NPSY 11b
PHYS 10a/11a/15a and PHYS 18a/19a (lab)*

NBIO 140 (core)


BCHM100

NBIO elective 100-level

NEUR 99a senior research**
Spring BIOL 15b

CHEM 11b/15b and CHEM 18b/19b (lab)
CHEM 25b and CHEM 29b (lab)*

BIOL 12a (or 18a only for BIOL double majors) (lab)
PHYS 10b/11b/15b and PHYS 18b/19b (lab)*

BIOL 51a (quant)

NBIO elective 100-level
NBIO elective 100-level

NEUR 99b senior research**

Example Plan 2 with Bio/Pre-Med Focus

  First Year Sophomore Junior Senior
Fall

CHEM 11a/15a and CHEM 18a/19a (lab)

NPSY 11b

CHEM 25a and CHEM 29a (lab)*

BIOL 14a

MATH 10a/10b/15a

PHYS 10a/11a/15a and PHYS 18a/19a (lab)*

NBIO 140 (core)

BIOL 12a (or 18a only for BIOL double majors) (lab)

 

BIOL 42a

NPSY elective 100-level

NBIO elective 100-level

Spring

CHEM 11b/15b and CHEM 18b/19b (lab)

BIOL 15b

CHEM 25b and CHEM 29b (lab)*

BIOL 12b (or 18b only for BIOL double-majors) (lab)

PHYS 10b/11b/15b and PHYS 18b/19b (lab)*

BIOL 51a (quant)

NBIO elective 100-level

NBIO elective 100-level

Example Plan with Psych Focus

  First Year
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Fall

PSYC 10a (only required for Psych majors)

CHEM 11a/15a and CHEM 18a/19a (lab)

NPSY 11b

BIOL 14a

NPSY elective

NPSY elective 100-level

BIOL 12b (or 18b only for BIOL double-majors) (lab)

NBIO 140 (core)

PHYS 10a/11a/15a and PHYS 18a/19a (lab)

 

BIOL Project Lab

NEUR 99a senior research**

Spring

MATH 10a/10b/
15a

CHEM 11b/15b and CHEM 18b/19b (lab)

BIOL 15b

NPSY elective

PSYC 51a (quant)

BIOL 12a (or 18a only for BIOL double majors) (lab)

NPSY elective 100-level

NBIO elective

NEUR 99b senior research**

* The first two plans include one more full course in the basic science electives than absolutely required, so, while not recommended, those not requiring the lab for the Pre-Health track can complete the Neuroscience major using this schedule without the CHEM29 labs or without the PHYS 18/19 labs.

**NEUR 99 senior research is not required to major in neuroscience, but many students elect to do senior research and many receive departmental honors. Students wishing to do a research project should try to get into a laboratory no later than fall semester, junior year, but getting into a lab earlier is better. Students who do not take NEUR99 (both semesters are required for Neuroscience major credit) should instead take a single Neuroscience elective (any group).