Program Description
You are your brain. Neuroscience combines scientific knowledge in disciplines such as chemistry, biology and psychology to study how the brain and nervous system guide thoughts, dreams and behavior. Students who major in neuroscience become:
- medical professionals (doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists, etc.);
- researchers (in biotech, pharmaceutical, hospitals, etc.); and
- educators (teachers, professors, etc.).
They also excel in professions such as law and business, leveraging their critical thinking skills and the ability to synthesize diverse information.
Points of Pride
- CMU students have won global competitions and fellowships, including those sponsored by the:
- National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health;
- Oxford Cambridge Scholars Program (England) and Chateaubriand Fellowship (France); and
- International Society for Neural Transplantation and Repair.
Put Your Degree to Work
As a neuroscience major, you might become a medical professional, a researcher or educator or go on to a career in law, business or insurance.
Many CMU neuroscience majors have careers in biomedical research or the medical/allied health professions, working with biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, or government, including with the National Institutes of Health.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data
| Job | Median Pay | Job Growth through 2022 |
|---|
| Physicians and surgeons | $187,200 per year | 18% (123,300 more jobs) |
| Medical scientists | $76,980 per year | 13% (13,700 more jobs) |
| University faculty | $68,970 per year | 19% (236,400 more jobs) |
| Physical therapists | $79,860 per year | 36% (73,500 more jobs) |
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Neuroscience Major
This multidisciplinary major integrates courses from four departments: biology, chemistry, health sciences, and psychology. Two tracks of this major are available. Track A (General) is designed to provide students with a broader and more flexible background. Track B (Graduate Preparation) provides a more focused academic background with opportunities to develop specific technical skills and hands-on research experience so that they can successfully compete for neuroscience-related jobs in the private and public sectors, or admission to graduate or professional schools. The major consists of 25 (Track A) or 30 (Track B) credit hours of required courses and 15 (Track A) or 10 (Track B) credit hours of electives from courses in biology, health sciences, and/or psychology. In addition, a minimum of 12 credit hours of chemistry will be required. Note: a total of six (6) credits of directed research (NSC 496) can be used toward this degree.
Total: 52-63 semester hours
Core Courses I
(16 hours)
Note: For BIO 487/PSY 487, two semesters are required, for a maximum of two credits.
BIO 110
Concepts of Biology
4
Fundamental concepts of biology including the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, molecular and transmission genetics, evolution and ecology. May be applied towards fulfilling the requirements of any Biology major or minor. Students may only earn credit in one of the following: BIO 101, BIO 105, or BIO 110. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Recommended: High school chemistry or CHM 120 and 127 or 131 or 161. (University Program Group II-A: Descriptive Sciences)
BIO 392
Mammalian Physiology
4
The functioning of the mammalian body and its component parts, with an emphasis on human systems. Prerequisites: BIO 212, 213 with a C- or better, or BIO 208 or 211 with a C- or better and a signed major in biochemistry, biology in any option, biology/biomedical sciences, dietetics, neuroscience, or a signed science minor; CHM 132 or 342.
BIO 487/PSY 487
Neuroscience Seminar
1-2
Analysis of current research in specified areas of neuroscience; critiquing and discussing primary literature and the students' current research relating to specific topics. Students will repeat this course for a maximum of 2 credits. Identical to PSY 487. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Signed Neuroscience Major and prior or concurrent neuroscience research experience through BIO 403 or PSY 496.
PSY 100
Introduction to Psychology
3
Survey of concepts, methods, and fields of psychology. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. (University Program Group III- A: Behavioral Sciences)
PSY 387
Behavioral Neuroscience
3
Overview of the neurological processes underlying organismic behavior. Surveys neurobiological explanations of sensation, movement, motivation, emotion, sleep, learning, neurological disorders, recovery mechanisms. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisites: One of the following: PSY 100, BIO 101, BIO 105, BIO 110, BIO 151, HSC 211.
Core Courses II
(3 hours)
Select one of the following:
BIO 500
Biological Statistics
3
Analyze biological data by appropriately selecting, assessing, and interpreting results of statistical tests including chi-squared analyses, t-tests, one-way ANOVA and correlation/regression. Prerequisites: BIO 212, 213 with a C- or better; or BIO 211 and a signed major in Neuroscience or Biochemistry; or graduate standing. Recommended: MTH 130.
This class presents applied statistical concepts, principles and methods in the health services industry. Statistical procedures are applied to health, administrative, and medical data. Prerequisites: STA 282 or PSY 211 or graduate standing.
PSY 211QR
Introduction to Psychological Statistics
3
Basic descriptive and inferential statistics are considered, including measures of central tendency and variability, the normal distribution, the t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and chi-square. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and completion of Mathematics Competency.
Other Requirements I: General Chemistry
(5-9 hours)
Select one of the following options:
OR1A-NEURSCI
Option A
(5 hours)
OR1B-NEURSCI
Option B
(8 hours)
OR1C-NEURSCI
Option C
(9 hours)
Other Requirements II: Organic Chemistry
(4-8 hours)
Select one of the following options:
OR2A-NEURSCI
Option A
(4 hours)
OR2B-NEURSCI
Option B
(8 hours)
Other Requirements III: Biochemistry
(3-6 hours)
Select one of the following options:
OR3A-NEURSCI
Option A
(3 hours)
OR3B-NEURSCI
Option B
(3 hours)
OR3C-NEURSCI
Option C
(6 hours)
Neuroscience Tracks
CRA-NEURO
Track A - General
(6 hours)
CRB-NEURO
Track B - Graduate Preparation
(11 hours)
Electives
(10-15 hours)
If selecting Track A – General (above): Select at least two courses from each of the Elective groups below, plus one more from either group, in consultation with and the approval of your advisor, for a total of 15 hours.
If selecting Track B – Graduate Preparation (above): Select at least one course from each of the Elective Groups below, plus one more from either group, in consultation with and the approval of your advisor , for a total of 10 hours.
