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 |
| Spring |
CHEM 11b/15b and CHEM 18b/19b (lab) |
CHEM 25b and CHEM 29b (lab)* |
PHYS 10b/11b/15b and PHYS 18b/19b (lab)* |
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) |
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 |
| Spring |
MATH 10a/10b/ |
BIOL 15b |
BIOL 12a (or 18a only for BIOL double majors) (lab) |
NBIO elective |
* 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).