Degree
Neuroscience, B.S.Contact
Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
jstiegler@une.edu
Mission
The mission of É«ÏãÊÓƵ's Neuroscience program is to produce independent, self-motivated learners who have acquired the analytical and research skills that will help them to think creatively while integrating complex ideas. This training prepares them to help solve the critical challenges facing our society and to contribute to the furthering of human knowledge. We accomplish this using a variety of experiential and engaged learning techniques to provide a foundation in the concepts and methodologies of the interdisciplinary field of neuroscience at the cellular, molecular, cognitive systems, and behavioral levels.
Major Description
A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major offered by faculty from various schools and colleges with expertise in neuroscience. The neuroscience curriculum offers students an opportunity to explore the structure and function of the nervous system. The major requires a general science background, a number of courses specifically devoted to the brain and nervous system, and an in-depth experience that explores the limits of knowledge in at least one (1) aspect of neuroscience. The major allows considerable flexibility for students to develop the last two (2) years along the lines of individual preferences and interests, with potential foci in areas of cellular/molecular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, or cognitive science. The majority of students who graduate with a major in Neuroscience enter graduate or professional programs culminating with careers in medicine/health care, research, and/or education.
Curricular Requirements
| Nor’easter Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 40 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 105/105L – Bio I: Ecology/Evolution w/Lab | 4 – Fulfills Scientific Method Core |
| BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I w/Lab or CHE 150/150L – University General Chem I w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111/111L - General Chemistry II w/Lab or CHE 151/151L – University General Chem II w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 201/201L – Organic Chemistry I w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 202/202L – Organic Chemistry II w/Lab or CHE 310/310L – Fundamentals of Biochemistry w/Lab | 4 |
| MAT 190 – Calculus I | 4 – Fulfills Quantitative Reasoning Core |
| NEU 205/205L – Intro to Neurobiology w/Lab | 4 |
| NEU 300 – Neuroscience Internship or NEU 495 – Neuroscience Lab Research or PSY 300 – Psych Internship I | 3 |
| NEU 306/306L – Behavioral/Cognitive Neuro w/Lab | 4 |
| NEU 375 – Medical Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| NEU 410 – Neurobiology of Mental Illness | 3 |
| PHY 110 – General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 111 – General Physics II | 4 |
| PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 225 – Psychology Statistics or MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 250 – Lifespan Development in Context | 3 – Fulfills Human Experience - Open Core |
| One (1) Program Specific Electives from List A | 3–5 |
| One (1) Program Specific Electives from List B | 3–4 |
| Total credits | 69–72 |
| Open elective courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
Program-Specific Electives
| List A | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 214 /214L – Genetics w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 245/245L – General Principles of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 322 – Comparative Animal Physiology | 3 |
| BIO 330/330L – Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 340 – Biology of Sex & Gender | 3 |
| BIO 345/345L – General Principles of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology II w/Lab | 5 |
| BIO 365 – Immunology | 3 |
| BIO 370 – Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 407 – Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BIO 450 – Biology Topics (with program approval) | 3 |
| CHE 405 – Medicinal Chemistry | 3 |
| List B | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANB 275 – Introduction to Techniques in Animal Behavior | 3 |
| ANB 335 – Comparative Animal Behavior or BIO 335 – Animal Behavior/Behavioral Ecology | 3 |
| ANB 362 – Animal Cognition | 3 |
| ANB 425 – Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior | 3 |
| PHI 370 – Philosophy of Psychology | 3 |
| PHI 380 – Philosophy of Mind | 3 |
| PSY 205 – Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 226 – Motivation and Emotion | 3 |
| PSY 245 – Evolutionary Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 285 – Research Methods | 3 |
| PSY 290 – Developmental Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 316 – Psychology of Consciousness | 3 |
| PSY 325 – Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| PSY 364 – Social and Emotional Development in Childhood | 3 |
| PSY 370 – Drugs, Society, and Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 380 – Learning/Conditioning and Behavior Modification or PSY 384/ 384L – Animal Learning and Behavior w/Lab | 3–4 |
| PSY 383 – Memory and Cognition | 3 |
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.
Academic and Technical Standards
A grade point average of 2.25 is necessary to be approved to add a major Neuroscience. Double majoring or majoring and minoring within the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences may be possible for students. Students interested in this option should do so with close consultation of their Academic Advisor to ensure that a substantial degree of overlap between the two (2) areas does not occur.
A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all courses used to fulfill the requirements for the Neuroscience major. Students must also complete the Nor’easter Core quantitative reasoning requirement by the end of the first year. The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences strongly recommends that students take PSY 225 or MAT 150 in their sophomore year. The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences requires that PSY 225 or MAT 150 be completed by the end of the junior year. See Undergraduate Academic Policy also.
Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate with a B.S. with a major in Neuroscience from É«ÏãÊÓƵ will be able to
- Demonstrate a broad foundation in the concepts and methodologies of the interdisciplinary field of neuroscience at the cellular, molecular, cognitive, systems, and behavioral levels.
- Demonstrate research skills including the ability to design experiments, and collect, analyze, and interpret data through research projects, lab work, internships, and coursework.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating neuroscience primary literature.
- Communicate in written and oral format scientific information in an organized and clear manner.
Transfer Credit
Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at É«ÏãÊÓƵ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years.
Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Admissions
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the É«ÏãÊÓƵfor the 2025–2026 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 semesters.
The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 30, 2025.
The É«ÏãÊÓƵreserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.
While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.