Neuroscience (NSCI) Majors/Minors
Neuroscience students gain a strong intellectual foundation and deep understanding of mechanisms underlying neural circuits through a curriculum that spans molecular, genetic, cellular and systems mechanisms of nervous systems, as well as statistical and computational methods for data analysis. Specialized expertise can be gained in contemporary areas of cutting-edge neuroscience like Neuroscience and Human Health, Integrated Neuroscience: Molecular, Cellular, Systems Neuroscience, and Neuroscience, Communication and Public Health Policy.
Hands-on and intellectually challenging research experiences allow students to get intimately involved with neuroscience and gain critical research skills and skills in critical thinking, reasoning, self-expression and communication – skills relevant to any career.
Our goal is to prepare students exceptionally well for advanced training in Medical School and Graduate School, careers in pharmaceutical, biotech, biomedical or other industries, or for other science-related careers such as science education, science communication, public policy, journalism, or patent law.
B.S. Neuroscience Degree Requirements
The curriculum emphasizes active learning, problem-solving skills, encourages interdisciplinary pursuits, and is committed to providing hands-on and intellectually challenging experiences in research labs. The 38-unit major includes core courses in Genetics & Genomics in Neuroscience (NROS 305), Cellular Neurophysiology (NROS 307), Molecular and Cellular Biology of Neurons (NROS 310), Neuroinformatics and Scientific Coding (NROS 311), Foundations in Biochemistry (BIOC 384), and Systems Neuroscience (NROS 318) next to 2 colloquia (NROS 195B and 210A).
Beyond core courses, students select a minimum of 18 units of upper division electives by completing 3 courses from one selected area of specialization (emphasis), 1 research experience, a writing emphasis elective, and an elective from an emphasis other than the selected.
The program will satisfy most requirements for US Medical Schools and Graduate Schools
Areas of specialized Neuroscience Expertise (emphasis)
Neuroscience & Human Health
Neuroscience and Human Health prepares students for Medical, Graduate, or Dental School, and research careers in biomedical research industries and Allied Health Professions. The emphasis focuses on translational aspects of neuroscience addressing addiction, neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disease.
(See list of courses)
Integrated Neuroscience: Molecular, Cellular, Systems Neuroscience
Integrated Neuroscience prepares students for Medical, Graduate, or Dental School and research careers in academia and industry; courses reflect the contemporary vertical approach on neuroscience, studying a problem at all levels from genes to molecules to cells to neural circuits to networks, to cognition and behavior.
(See list of courses)
Neuroscience, Communication, Public Health & Policy
Neuroscience, Communication, Public Health and Policy provides basic insights into public health law, policy making, and journalism. The emphasis builds skills in communicating and reasoning science- and neuroscience-related knowledge and public-health and policy issues to the public and policy makers – skills relevant to many careers such as public policy, science communication, journalism, patent law, and others.
(See list of courses)
Thematic Emphasis
This “free-style” emphasis recognizes that Neuroscience is an incredibly diverse, broad and rapidly advancing field and allows interested students designing their own individually tailored area of expertise curriculum.
(See list of courses)
If you are interested in learning more about the Neuroscience (NSCI) degree:
The checklists below are for planning purposes only, not to replace the official UA Academic Program Requirement Reports for the degrees. Official requirement reports for each catalog year can be found in the |UA general catalog|. Be sure to select your catalog year as requirements may change from year to year.
Neuroscience (NSCI) Major Checklist
Neuroscience (NSCI) Minor
The Department of Neuroscience offers a minor in Neuroscience. Students who pursue a minor are often looking to gain a broader understanding of these subjects to complement their major field of study.
If you are interested in declaring the minor, please email your advisor or attend our (to be determined) drop-in hours which will be available in person or via zoom.
NSCI Minor Requirements Check sheet
Course descriptions
Course descriptions are available in the General Catalog. Typical offerings may not always be perfectly up-to-date. The Guest Class Schedule shows current offerings. Please contact an advisor for questions on semester-specific offerings and other course questions. Students can view the Schedule of Classes in their UAccess Student Center.