Neuroscience BS

Major: Neuroscience
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits:186.5
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
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 College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems. The program is specifically 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 neuroscience BS program is well-suited for students who are 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. 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 program at Drexel is  designed for students whose interests lie at the intersection of the multiple fields that require an understanding of the biological and cognitive basis of central nervous system function and its applications, and who have a strong commitment to research. Graduates of this major will develop a strong foundation across biological, psychological, and quantitative skill sets necessary for their meaningful integration toward understanding, repairing, and enhancing neural systems in healthy or diseased organisms. 

Additional Information

For more information about this program please contact: neus@drexel.edu.

Degree Requirements

General Ed Core requirements
General University Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
NEUS 201Academics & Career: Neuroscience1.0
UNIV S101The Drexel Experience1.0
or UNIV R101 The Drexel Experience
Developing Quantitative Reasoning
Complete the following sequence:12.0
Calculus I
and Calculus II
and Linear Algebra
Engaging the Natural World
BIO 131Cells and Biomolecules4.0
BIO 134Cells and Biomolecules Lab1.0
ENVS 212Evolution4.0
Analyzing Cultures and Histories
Select a minimum of 7.0 credits in 100-400 level courses in the following:7.0
Any HIST (History)
Any PHIL (Philosophy)
Understanding Society and Human Behavior
Select a minimum of 6.0 credits from 100-400 level courses in the following:6.0
Any ANTH (Anthropology)
Any ENGL (English)
Any PSCI (Political Science)
Any SOC (Sociology)
General Psychology I
Physiological Psychology
Cultivating Global Competence
Select a minimum of 6.0 credits from 100-400 level from the following:6.0
Any ARBC (Arabic)
Any CHIN (Chinese)
Any FREN (French)
Any GER (German)
Any GST (Global Studies)
Any JAPN (Japanese)
Any KOR (Korean)
Any SPAN (Spanish)
Perspectives in Diversity
Select a minimum of 6.0 from the list below:6.0-8.0
Connections in Biology
The Privilege of Aging
Intercultural Communication
Religion, Science, and Medicine in History
United States Civil Rights Movement
History of Modern Medicine
Technology and Identity
Disabilities in History
Madness, Mental Health and Psychiatry in the Modern West
Neuroscience BS Core Requirements
BIO 132Genetics and Evolution4.0
Select 3.0-6.0 credits from the list below:3.0-6.0
Genetics and Evolution Lab
Physiology and Ecology
Anatomy and Ecology Lab
Human Physiology I
Human Physiology II
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II
Principles of Molecular Biology
General Science
CHEM 101General Chemistry I3.5
CHEM 102General Chemistry II4.5
PHYS 152Introductory Physics I4.0
PHYS 153Introductory Physics II4.0
Select one:4.0-4.5
General Chemistry III
Introductory Physics III
Statistics & Scientific Methodology
Select one of the following 3 sequences (6 credits minimum):6.0-13.0
Sequence 1: Bio-applications:
Biomedical Statistics
Experimental Design in Biomedical Research
Sequence 2: Behavioral Science-applications:
Statistical Methods in Psychology I
Statistical Methods in Psychology II
Sequence 3: General-applications:
Scientific Data Analysis I
Scientific Data Analysis II
Analytical Methods and Programming
BMES 201Programming and Modeling for Biomedical Engineers I3.0
Select from the list below3.0-11.0
Programming and Modeling for Biomedical Engineers ll
Multivariate Calculus
Differential Equations
Core Neuroscience Principles
BIO 348Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits3.0
BIO 349Behavioral Neuroscience3.0
BMES 353Computational Neuroscience and Neuroengineering3.0
PSY 312Cognitive Neuroscience3.0
PSY 410Neuropsychology3.0
Oral and Written Communication Skills
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
or COM 320 Science Writing
COM 310 [WI] Technical Communication (required)3.0
Neuroethics
Select 3.0 credits from the list below:3.0
Biomedical Ethics and Law
Ethics
Biomedical Ethics
Artificial Intelligence and Society
Entrepreneurship
Select one course from the list below:3.0
Entrepreneurship for BMES
Entrepreneurial Thinking
Social Entrepreneurship
Concentration
Select at least one concentration from options listed below15.0
Free Electives **
Select any unrestricted 099-499 courses9.0-24.0
Total Credits186.5
*

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of free elective instead of COOP 101.

**

Credits may vary based on the number of credits taken in above categories.

Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience Concentration

Required
BIO 463Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration3.0
BIO 465Neurobiology of Disease3.0
Electives9.0
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II
Biochemistry
Organic Chemistry III
Bioinformatics Laboratory
Biology of Aging
Behavioral Genetics
Independent Study in Bioscience & Biotechnology
Chronoengineering I: Biological Rhythms in Health and Performance
Chronoengineering II: Sleep Functions in Health and Performance
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Total Credits15.0

Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Concentration

Required
PSY 330Cognitive Psychology3.0
PSY 412Methods in Human Neuroscience3.0
Electives (Choose from the list below)9.0
Biology of Aging
Behavioral Genetics
Neurobiology of Disease
Computational Bioengineering
Systems Neuroscience and its Applications in Medicine and Engineering
Brain Computer Interfaces
Principles of Neuroimaging
Brain Computer Interface Laboratory
Sensation and Perception
Drugs & Human Behavior
Psychology of Learning
Psychology of Language
Experimental Psychology
Independent Study in Psychology
Special Topics in Psychology
Artificial Intelligence and Society
Total Credits15.0

Neurosystems & Computational Neuroscience Concentration

Required
BMES 415Systems Neuroscience and its Applications in Medicine and Engineering3.0
BMES 424Principles of Neuroimaging3.0
Electives (Choose from the list below)9.0
Computational Bioengineering
Brain Computer Interfaces
Medical Technology Innovation: Devices
Neuroengineering I: Neural Signals
Neuroengineering II: Principles of Neuroengineering
Quantitative Systems Biology
Brain Computer Interface Laboratory
Independent Study in Biomedical Engineering & Science
Total Credits15.0

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, No co-op, Cell & Molecular Neuroscience Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 1341.0BIO 1351.0MATH 2014.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1214.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective3.0 
PSY 1013.0MATH 1224.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 16 14 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 2094.0BIO 211 or 2184.0BMES 2013.0VACATION
CHEM 1013.5BMES 3104.0CHEM 1034.5 
COM 2303.0CHEM 1024.5PSY 2123.0 
MATH 4103.0MATH 4113.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
PHYS 1524.0PHYS 1534.0  
 17.5 19.5 13.5 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0BIO 4633.0VACATION
BMES 3154.0BIO 4123.0PSY 4103.0 
BMES 2023.0BMES 3533.0Cultivating Global Competence4.0 
COM 310 or 3203.0BMES 3383.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
Free Elective*4.0Free Elective**4.0Free Elective ***4.0 
 17 16 17 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 2014.0BIO 4653.0ENVS 2124.0 
BIO I4993.0BIO I4993.0Diversity Elective3.0 
BMES 409, ENTP 105, or ENTP 2703.0PSY 3123.0Free Elective 4.0 
Free Elective3.0HIST Elective4.0Free Elective3.0 
 13 13 14 
Total Credits 186.5
*

Suggested: CHEM 241

**

Suggested: CHEM 242

***

Suggested: PHYS 154

Suggested: CHEM 243

4 year, 1 co-op, Cell & Molecular Neuroscience Concentration 

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 1341.0BIO 1351.0MATH 2394.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1214.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Sociology (SOC) Elective3.0 
PSY 1013.0MATH 1224.0Perspective in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 16 14 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 2094.0BIO 211 or 2184.0BMES 2013.0COOP 1011.0
CHEM 1013.5BMES 3104.0CHEM 1034.5Perspectives in Diversity3.0
COM 2303.0CHEM 1024.5PSY 2123.0Cultivating Global Competence4.0
MATH 4103.0MATH 4113.0PSY 4103.0Free Electives6.0
PHYS 1524.0PHYS 1534.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
 17.5 19.5 16.5 14
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
BMES 3154.0BIO 4123.0  
BMES 2023.0BMES 3533.0  
COM 310 or 3203.0BMES 3383.0  
Free Elective*4.0Free Elective **4.0  
 17 16 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 2014.0BIO 4653.0ENVS 2124.0 
BIO I4993.0PSY 3123.0BIO 4633.0 
BMES 409, ENTP 105, or ENTP 2703.0BIO I4993.0Free Elective***3.0 
Free Elective3.0HIST Elective4.0Free Elective 4.0 
 13 13 14 
Total Credits 186.5
*

Suggested: CHEM 241

**

Suggested: CHEM 242

***

Suggested: PHYS 154

Suggested: CHEM 243

4 year, No co-op, Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 1341.0BIO 1351.0MATH 2014.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1214.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective3.0 
PSY 1013.0MATH 1224.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 16 14 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 2094.0BIO 2184.0BMES 2013.0VACATION
CHEM 1013.5CHEM 1024.5PSY 2123.0 
MATH 4103.0MATH 4113.0PHYS 1544.0 
PHYS 1524.0PHYS 1534.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
PSY 2643.0PSY 2653.0  
 17.5 18.5 13 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0PSY 3303.0VACATION
BMES 2023.0BMES 3383.0PSY 4103.0 
COM 2303.0BMES 3533.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
COM 3103.0PSY 4123.0Cultivating Global Competence4.0 
PSY 3603.0Free Elective3.0Free Elective3.0 
 15 15 16 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BMES 3754.0BIO 4123.0BMES 4834.0 
BMES 409, ENTP 105, or ENTP 2703.0BMES 4183.0ENVS 2124.0 
PSY 2133.0PSY 3123.0Diversity elective3.0 
Free Elective *4.0Free Elective 3.0Free Elective **4.5 
 HIST Elective4.0  
 14 16 15.5 
Total Credits 186.5
*

Suggested: MATH 200

**

Suggested: CHEM 103

4 year, 1 co-op, Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 1341.0BIO 1351.0MATH 2014.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1214.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective3.0 
PSY 1013.0MATH 1224.0Perspetives in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 16 14 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 2094.0BIO 2184.0BMES 2013.0COOP 1011.0
CHEM 1013.5CHEM 1024.5PHYS 1544.0PSY 3303.0
MATH 4103.0MATH 4113.0PSY 2123.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0
PHYS 1524.0PHYS 1534.0PSY 4103.0Cultivating Global Competence4.0
PSY 2643.0PSY 2653.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0Free Elective3.0
 17.5 18.5 16 14
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
BMES 2023.0BMES 3383.0  
COM 2303.0BMES 3533.0  
COM 3103.0PSY 4123.0  
PSY 3603.0Free Elective 3.0  
 15 15 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BMES 3754.0BIO 4123.0BMES 4834.0 
BMES 409, ENTP 105, or ENTP 2703.0PSY 3123.0ENVS 2124.0 
PSY 2133.0BMES 4183.0Diversity elective3.0 
Free Elective *4.0Free Elective 3.0Free Elective **3.5 
 HIST Elective4.0  
 14 16 14.5 
Total Credits 186.5
*

Suggested: MATH 200

**

Suggested: CHEM 103

4 year, No co-op, Neurosystems & Computational Neuroscience Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 1341.0BIO 1351.0MATH 2014.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1214.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective3.0 
PSY 1013.0MATH 1224.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 16 14 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 2094.0BIO 2184.0BMES 2013.0VACATION
CHEM 1013.5BMES 3104.0PHYS 1544.0 
MATH 2004.0CHEM 1024.5PSY 2123.0 
PHYS 1524.0PHYS 1534.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
 15.5 16.5 13 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0BMES 4243.0VACATION
BMES 2023.0BMES 3383.0PSY 4103.0 
BMES 3154.0BMES 3533.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
COM 2303.0BMES 4153.0Cultivating Gobal Competence4.0 
COM 3103.0MATH 2104.0Free Elective *3.5 
 16 16 16.5 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BMES 3754.0BMES 4183.0BMES I4993.0 
BMES 409, ENTP 105, or ENTP 2703.0BMES 4553.0BMES 4834.0 
BMES I4993.0PSY 3123.0ENVS 2124.0 
Free Elective 4.0Free elective3.0Diversity Elective3.0 
 HIST Elective4.0Free Elective3.0 
 14 16 17 
Total Credits 186.5
*

Suggested: CHEM 103

4 year, 1 co-op, Neurosystems & Computational Neuroscience Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 1341.0BIO 1351.0MATH 2014.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1214.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ANTH/ENGL/PSCI/SOC Elective3.0 
PSY 1013.0MATH 1224.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 16 14 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 2094.0BIO 2184.0BMES 2013.0COOP 1011.0
CHEM 1013.5BMES 3104.0PHYS 1544.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0
MATH 2004.0CHEM 1024.5PSY 2123.0Cultivating Global Competence4.0
PHYS 1524.0PHYS 1534.0PSY 4103.0Free Electives6.0
  Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
 15.5 16.5 16 14
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
BMES 2023.0BMES 3383.0  
BMES 3154.0BMES 3533.0  
COM 2303.0BMES 4153.0  
COM 3103.0MATH 2104.0  
 16 16 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BMES 3754.0BMES 4183.0BMES 4243.0 
BMES 409, ENTP 105, or ENTP 2703.0BMES 4553.0BMES 4834.0 
BMES I4993.0BMES I4993.0ENVS 2124.0 
Free Elective 3.0PSY 3123.0Free Elective *3.5 
4.0Diversity Elective3.0  
 17 15 14.5 
Total Credits 186.5
*

Suggested: CHEM 103