Neuroscience BS
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Minimum Required Credits: 128.0
Co-op Option(s): Two Co-op, One Co-op, No Co-op
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.1501
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9121
About the Program
Drexel’s interdisciplinary BS program in Neuroscience is a joint program between the Department of Biology and the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems. The program is designed for students with interests in the biological bases of thought and behavior who wish to focus their studies on understanding, repairing, or enhancing neural systems. Drexel’s highly interdisciplinary neuroscience curriculum reflects the present and anticipates the future of this rapidly-evolving field, and offers students strong foundational knowledge across many different areas, including biology, psychology, mathematics, biomedical engineering, statistics, neuroethics, and computer science.
The BS in Neuroscience curriculum focuses on highly-valued skills that can transfer across many careers. The learning outcomes are cultivated through coursework based on a complementary approach that draws on different disciplines. The program’s concentrations support students’ advanced skills. Neuroscience majors choose from three distinct, yet flexible, program concentrations:
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
- Neurosystems and Computational Neuroscience
Neuroscience majors have opportunities to get involved in undergraduate research as early as their first year. Students work alongside distinguished faculty mentors in active research projects to learn how to connect principles discovered in the classroom, apply them to real-world problems, and make novel discoveries about brain function. Undergraduates engage in research for credit through independent study or as part of a senior thesis.
Co-operative education options prepare neuroscience students to pursue advanced education and careers across wide-ranging areas.
The program is well-suited for students considering professional careers in cognitive, clinical, computational, or systems neuroscience; medicine (e.g., neurology, psychiatry); health care; biomedical research; data science; or animal science, as well as other research health-related fields. Neuroscience majors integrate their expertise across biology, clinical care, psychology, cognitive science or biomedical engineering to understand, repair and enhance neural systems in healthy or diseased organisms.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Requirements
| University Requirements | ||
| EXP 1001 | Introduction to Experiential Learning | 3.0 |
| WRIT 1100 | Composition and Rhetoric I | 3.0 |
| or WRIT 1110 | English Composition I | |
| WRIT 1200 | Composition and Rhetoric II | 3.0 |
| or WRIT 1210 | English Composition II | |
| Introductory Core Competencies 1 | ||
| Select one course from each of the three (3) categories of Introductory Core Competency Courses: | 9.0 | |
Introductory: Inquire and Analyze | ||
Introductory: Collaborate and Integrate | ||
Introductory: Apply and Engage | ||
| Free Electives | 15.0 | |
| College Requirements | ||
| AS-I 1007 | Journeys in Arts and Sciences | 3.0 |
| AS-I 1008 | Data Fluency | 3.0 |
| AS-I 1009 | Interdisciplinary Ethics | 3.0 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| Required Courses Outside of the Program | ||
| CHEM 1040 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CHEM 1042 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| MATH 1201 | Calculus I | 4.0 |
| MATH 1202 | Calculus II | 4.0 |
| MATH 2401 | Linear Algebra I | 3.0 |
| PHYS 1201 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | 4.0 |
| PHYS 1202 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II | 4.0 |
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3.0 |
| Required Courses Inside the Program | ||
| BIO 1111 | General Biology I | 3.0 |
| BIO 1113 | General Biology Laboratory I | 1.0 |
| BIO 2201 | Human Physiology I | 3.0 |
| or BIO 2241 | Cell and Molecular Biology | |
| or ESS 2012 | Evolution | |
| BIO 3348 | Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits | 3.0 |
| BIO 3349 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3.0 |
| BMES 1610 | Biomedical Coding: Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| BMES 2110 | Design and Analysis of Biomedical Studies | 3.0 |
| or PSY 2140 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | |
| or MATH 2801 | Probability and Statistics I | |
| BMES 2210 | Quantitative Physiology and Measurements | 4.0 |
| or MATH 2201 | Multivariable Calculus | |
| or MATH 2601 | Ordinary Differential Equations I | |
| BMES 3620 | Computational Neuroscience and Neuroengineering | 3.0 |
| PSY 3030 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 3.0 |
| PSY 4000 | Neuropsychology | 3.0 |
| Electives Outside of the Program | ||
| COM 2300 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| or COM 3100 | Technical Communication | |
| ENTP 2250 | Ideation | 3.0 |
| or ENTP 3329 | Entrepreneurship and New Technologies | |
| PHIL 2052 | Neuroethics | 3.0 |
| or PHIL 2058 | Engineering Ethics | |
| or PHIL 2053 | Biomedical Ethics | |
| Concentration | ||
| Select one of the concentrations from the options below: | 15.0 | |
| Optional Co-op Experience | ||
| Co-op is an option for this degree for full-time on-campus students. Co-op cycles may vary. Students choosing this option will be required to complete COOP 1001 as preparation for their co-op experience. COOP 1001 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned. | 0.0 | |
| Total Credits | 128.0 | |
- 1
A complete list of eligible Introductory Core Competency courses can be found here.
Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience Concentration
| Required Courses | ||
| Select five (5) of the following: | 15.0 | |
| Human Physiology II | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Biology of Stress | ||
| Biochemistry: Metabolism | ||
| Bioinformatics | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| Neurobiology of Autism Disorders | ||
| Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration | ||
| Neurobiology of Disease | ||
| Research | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Total Credits | 15.0 | |
Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Concentration
| Required Courses | ||
| Select five (5) of the following: | 15.0 | |
| Neurobiology of Autism Disorders | ||
| Neurobiology of Disease | ||
| Neuroimaging and Brain Computer Interfaces | ||
| Physiological Psychology | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Statistical Methods in Psychology | ||
| Research Methods in Psychology I | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Drugs and Human Behavior | ||
| Psychology of Learning | ||
| Psychology of Language | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology | ||
| Methods in Human Neuroscience | ||
| Memory | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology | ||
| Total Credits | 15.0 | |
Neurosystems & Computational Neuroscience Concentration
| Required Courses | ||
| Select five of the following: | 15.0 | |
| Neurobiology of Disease | ||
| Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Foundations in Biomedical Applications | ||
| Biomedical Artificial Intelligence Research and Innovation | ||
| Neuroimaging and Brain Computer Interfaces | ||
| Neuroengineering: Emerging Technologies and Translational Innovations | ||
| Methods in Human Neuroscience | ||
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will be able to:
- 1. Cultivate a deep understanding of interdisciplinary research across neuroscience and its applications
- 2. Become proficient in research design and methods across neuroscience
- 3. Develop strong skills in statistics, quantitative reasoning, and computational techniques
- 4. Build and maintain advanced analytical reasoning and problem-solving abilities
- 5. Demonstrate strong oral and writing skills