Degree Types
Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA)
BSA degrees are designed for you to have a solid core science, as well as a cross-disciplinary minor in another field. They allow you to explore your interests and the connections of science and technology to other disciplines like public policy, medicine, anthropology, the arts, psychology, business, and communications.
- BSA degrees require completion of a Minor, Certificate, or a Field of Study (15 hours in a single field outside of CNS, Engineering, Geosciences, Pharmacy, or Nursing).
- BSA degrees also require 12 hours of humanities courses from at least 2 of 4 different areas of approved humanities departments across campus, including:
- Fine Arts: ART, DES, ENS, FA, MUS, TD, VAS, and Performance (instrument courses)
- Humanities: AHC, AMS, ARH, CC, CL, E, HMN, PHL, RS, and RHE
- Social & Behavioral Sciences: ANT, ECO, GRG, GOV, HIS, LIN, PSY, and SOC
- Foreign Language and Culture: Foreign Language/Foreign Culture lists.
Should I choose this option?
Some students complete prerequisites for pre-health professional schools while completing their degree requirements and choose the BSA degree option in order to become a well-rounded applicant for professional school. While it is not untrue that professional schools value well-rounded students, BS degrees encourage more exposure to math and science courses that will help prepare you for the kind of material you will encounter in professional or graduate school. Talk with your advisor about the option that is best for your goals.
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Bachelor of Science (BS)
BS degrees are designed for the specialist, the person who wants to focus 80-90 credits of their degree on science and mathematics. While students can choose to pursue a minor or certificate from another field in conjunction with a BS degree, doing so is not required.
Should I choose this option?
BS degrees are great for students who want to pursue graduate school or a research career as well as those preparing to apply to a health professional school. Students pursuing a BS Neuroscience degree gain exposure to a variety of topics in the field through both lecture- and lab-based coursework. Talk with your advisor about the option that is best for you.
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Degree Options
The Neuroscience degrees require a strong foundation in Biology coursework as well as completion of an introductory Neuroscience sequence (Neural Systems I, Neural Systems II, and Neural Systems III). Once this sequence is complete, students are free to choose from a range of Neuroscience electives on topics ranging from neurotechnology and programming to the neurobiology of disease to evolutionary neurobiology.
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BSA in Neuroscience
This degree provides a well-rounded education in neuroscience with room to explore other interests in the humanities. The BSA option combines an abbreviated curriculum in neuroscience with a minor or certificate in another discipline. Compared to the BS degrees, the BSA degree requires fewer upper-division neuroscience courses.
After completing the introductory neuroscience sequence, students are free to choose 12 upper-division neuroscience electives to complete their major requirements. The BSA requires the completion of the Language, Arts, and Culture area as well as a Minor, Certificate, or a Field of Study.
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BS in Neuroscience, Option I: Neuroscience Scholars
This degree program provides strong training in concepts and practice of neuroscience through coursework in neuroscience and related science and math disciplines, cutting-edge upper-division neuroscience laboratory courses and individual research. This degree involves a 3-course specialization in one of six areas: biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, or psychology.
Admission to this degree program requires an application after completing introductory coursework. Applicants must meet a competitive GPA threshold and secure a position in a neuroscience research lab to be considered, as the degree requires completing departmental honors and an honors thesis (NEU 379H) based on Neuroscience-related research. Applications are accepted at the end of each Fall and Spring semester. The advising office will notify eligible students via email.
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BS in Neuroscience, Option II: Neuroscience Honors
This degree is open only to students participating in the College of Natural Sciences Dean’s Scholars program.
Learn more about the Dean’s Scholars application process
Neuroscience Honors students are advised in the the CNS Honors Center.
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BS in Neuroscience, Option III: Neuroscience
This is the default degree program to receive a BS in Neuroscience. Distinctive features of the program include an emphasis on developing the quantitative, statistical, mathematical, and computational skills required in neuroscience, and meaningful hands-on laboratory experience.
After completing the introductory neuroscience sequence, students are free to choose 15 upper-division neuroscience electives to complete their major requirements. Students must also complete 6 additional hours of neuroscience laboratory coursework.
Checklists and Sample Plans
BSA Neuroscience
BSA Neuroscience degree requirements changed in the 20-22 catalog. Please make sure you are viewing requirements for your correct catalog. If you are unsure of your catalog, please contact your assigned advisor.
| 24-26 Catalog | 22-24 Catalog | 20-22 Catalog | 18-20 Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist |
| Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan |
BS Neuroscience, Option 1: Neuroscience Scholars
BS Neuroscience: Neuroscience Scholars degree requirements changed in the 20-22 catalog. Please make sure you are viewing requirements for your correct catalog. If you are unsure of your catalog, please contact your assigned advisor.
| 24-26 Catalog | 22-24 Catalog | 20-22 Catalog | 18-20 Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist |
| Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan |
BS Neuroscience, Option 3: Neuroscience
BS Neuroscience: Neuroscience degree requirements changed in the 20-22 catalog. Please make sure you are viewing requirements for your correct catalog. If you are unsure of your catalog, please contact your assigned advisor.
| 24-26 Catalog | 22-24 Catalog | 20-22 Catalog | 18-20 Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist | Degree Checklist |
| Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan | Sample 4-Year Plan |