Neuroscience A.B.
An A.B. in Neuroscience provides a comprehensive and integrative understanding of neuroscience, encouraging students to appreciate the diversity within the field. As an interdisciplinary program of study, Neuroscience requires students to learn fundamental science from Biology, Chemistry, Exercise Science, Mathematics and Statistics, and Psychology through both active lecture and hands-on coursework and learning experiences. Graduates completing a Neuroscience A.B. are preparing for successful careers in fields such as medical sales, scientific writing, regulatory affairs, laboratory technicians, among others. The degree also prepares student for entrance into health professions programs (Medical School, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, etc.) and graduate programs (MS, PhD, or MD/PhD).
A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Neuroscience requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Biochemical Foundations : 16 sh
| BIO1112 | Introductory Cell Biology | 3 sh |
| BIO1113 | Cell Biology Laboratory | 1 sh |
| CHM1110 | General Chemistry I with Lab | 4 sh |
| CHM1120 | General Chemistry II with Lab | 4 sh |
| BIO2412 | Human Physiology | 3 sh |
| BIO2413 | Human Physiology Lab | 1 sh |
Neuroscience Methods: 8 sh
| STS2120 | Statistics in Application | 4 sh |
Choose one of the following.
| ESS2140 | Research Methods | 4 sh |
| PSY2970 | Experimental Research Methods and Statistics | 4 sh |
Disciplinary Neuroscience: 8 sh
Choose two of the following.
Neuroscience Integration: 12 sh
| NEU1100 | Integrative Neuroscience | 4 sh |
| NEU3100 | Special Topics in Neuroscience | 4 sh |
| NEU4970 | Neuroscience Capstone Seminar | 4 sh |
Electives : 4 sh
| BIO2212 | Principles of Genetics | 3 sh |
| BIO2213 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 sh |
| BIO2312 | Human Anatomy | 3 sh |
| BIO2313 | Human Anatomy Lab | 1 sh |
| BIO2420 | Neurophysiology | 4 sh |
| BIO3104 | Biotechnology | 4 sh |
| BIO3112 | Human Histology | 4 sh |
| BIO3200 | Biochemical Basis of Disease | 4 sh |
| BIO3210 | Survey of Biochemistry | 4 sh |
| BIO3502 | Comparative Vertebrate Structure and Function | 4 sh |
| BIO3510 | Comparative and Functional Neurobiology | 4 sh |
| BIO3522 | Developmental Biology | 4 sh |
| BIO3532 | The Biology of Animal Behavior | 4 sh |
| BIO4110 | Molecular and Cellular Biology | 4 sh |
| CHM2110 | Organic Chemistry I with Lab | 4 sh |
| CHM2120 | Organic Chemistry II with Lab | 4 sh |
| CHM3510 | Biochemistry I | 4 sh |
| CHM3520 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 0 sh |
| CHM3530 | Biochemistry II | 4 sh |
| CHM3550 | Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 4 sh |
| CSC4444 | Artificial Intelligence | 4 sh |
| ESS2160 | Neuromotor Control | 4 sh |
| ESS3110 | Biomechanics | 4 sh |
| ESS3120 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 sh |
| ESS3133 | Exercise Psychology | 4 sh |
| ESS3134 | Sport Psychology | 4 sh |
| ESS3225 | Exercise Science and Special Populations | 4 sh |
| ESS4220 | Exercise and the Cell | 4 sh |
| ESS4260 | Exercise Psychophysiology | 4 sh |
| MTH2300 | Mathematical Methods for Data Analytics | 4 sh |
| MTH3430 | Mathematical Modeling | 4 sh |
| PHY3650 | Biophysics | 4 sh |
| PSY2300 | Cognitive Psychology | 4 sh |
| PSY2400 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 4 sh |
| PSY3310 | Psychology of Language | 4 sh |
| PSY3320 | Psychology of Learning | 4 sh |
| PSY3330 | Sensation and Perception | 4 sh |
| PSY3410 | Memory and Memory Disorders | 4 sh |
| PSY3420 | Neurobiology of Learning and Memory | 4 sh |
| PSY3470 | Animal Behavior | 4 sh |
Some elective courses may have prerequisite courses not otherwise included in the Neuroscience major.
- Any course with an NEU prefix may count toward neuroscience electives.
- Up to 4 SH of mentored undergraduate research (4998/4999) may count toward neuroscience electives.
- Additional courses may be considered for approval by the director of the program
Total Credit Hours: 48
Program Outcomes
Our students will strive to accomplish the following program outcomes:
Interdisciplinary Agility: Students will develop Interdisciplinary Agility by comparing, contrasting, and synthesizing the knowledge and skills among the various disciplines contributing to neuroscience. Interdisciplinary Agility will allow students to integrate multiple perspectives and viewpoints to enhance their understanding of ideas that span across the breadth of a liberal arts education.
Note: “Interdisciplinary Agility” is the essence of an interdisciplinary major in neuroscience. Developing students’ ability to understand and adapt to new information using knowledge and skills from diverse areas permeates all the program learning outcomes of the Neuroscience program.
Foundational and Applied Knowledge Base: Students will learn foundational knowledge and skills while also developing a comprehensive and integrative understanding of neuroscience. Students will apply their learning through coursework, as well as experiential and co-curricular activities that align with their values and goals.
Scientific Inquiry and Experimentation: Students will design and conduct neuroscience experiments, analyze data using appropriate computational and statistical techniques, interpret results to draw meaningful conclusions about the function and behavior of nervous systems, and communicate those findings to others. Through hands-on experiences such as course-based research, mentored research, internships, practicum, co-curricular, or extra-curricular activities, among others, students will be prepared to conduct research and professional activity with a thorough understanding of ethical principles, integrity, and equity in scientific fields and practices involving both humans and non-humans.
Inclusive Excellence in Neuroscience: Students will be challenged to think about how neuroscientific perspectives can impact societal and global issues, contend with how the historical development of neuroscientific knowledge affects access and inclusion in the field, and engage in deep ethical reasoning arising from the contemplation of the existence and function of diverse nervous systems across species, deepening our understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to humans and non-human animals. Through this lens, students will deepen their understanding of diversity in its broadest sense – including but not limited to diversity of species, intellectual viewpoints, and the lived experiences of humans and non-human animals – fostering a field where all perspectives are valued and individuals can flourish.
Neuroscience in Professional Environments: Students will cultivate an awareness of career opportunities and paths toward achieving their career goals while developing interpersonal, collaboration, and leadership skills conducive to professional environments.
Communication and Collaboration: Students will practice effective communication and collaboration by demonstrating proficiency in written, oral, and visual communication of scientific concepts for a range of audiences that integrates knowledge from multiple scientific fields, and by reflecting on the role of effective communication in advancing scientific understanding and collaboration.