Neuroscience
How the brain and nervous system produce behavior and cognition.
Neuroscience studies the brain and nervous system, from individual neurons up to behavior and cognition, drawing on biology, chemistry, and psychology. It's inherently interdisciplinary, and programs vary in how much they lean toward the molecular/cellular side versus the cognitive/behavioral side.
Lab work often includes neuroanatomy, and many programs give students exposure to research techniques like brain imaging concepts, electrophysiology basics, or behavioral testing, often through a required research experience.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- ✓Introduction to Neuroscience
- ✓Neuroanatomy
- ✓Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
- ✓Cognitive Neuroscience
- ✓Behavioral Neuroscience
- ✓Statistics for the Sciences
- ✓Undergraduate Research
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Introduction to Neuroscience
- +General education requirement
- ✓Neuroanatomy
- +General education requirement
- ✓Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
- +Free elective
- ✓Cognitive Neuroscience
- +Free elective
- ✓Behavioral Neuroscience
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Statistics for the Sciences
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Undergraduate Research
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Fascinated by the brain, behavior, and cognition
- ★Enjoys both hard science and psychology-style questions
- ★Comfortable with a demanding, interdisciplinary science load
- ★Interested in research or clinical neuroscience-adjacent careers
Common minors & double-major pairings
Psychology · Computer Science · Philosophy
Frequently asked questions
What is a Neuroscience major?
How the brain and nervous system produce behavior and cognition.
What courses do Neuroscience majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like General Biology & Chemistry, Introduction to Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Neuroscience program?
Neuroscience coursework typically builds skills like Understanding nervous system structure and function, Connecting biological mechanisms to behavior, Lab and research technique, Data analysis and statistical reasoning.
Is Neuroscience a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Fascinated by the brain, behavior, and cognition" or "Enjoys both hard science and psychology-style questions" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What other majors pair well with Neuroscience?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Psychology, Computer Science, Philosophy.
How is Neuroscience different from Psychology?
They're related but distinct. Neuroscience: How the brain and nervous system produce behavior and cognition. Psychology: The scientific study of mind, brain, and behavior. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Neuroscience degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/neuroscience