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Overview of the Undergraduate ProgramNeural science is a collection of disciplines unified by a concern for the function of the brain. Experimental approaches in neural science vary from analyses of molecular and cellular mechanisms in nerve cells and groups of nerve cells to behavioral and psychological studies of whole organisms. Theoretical tools include mathematical and computational modeling approaches that have proved useful in other areas of science. Experimental questions include issues related to biophysical and neurochemical mechanisms within single nerve cells, functional neural circuits consisting of small numbers of neurons, the behavior of large systems of neurons, and the relationship between the activity of elements of the nervous system and the behavior of organisms. The undergraduate Neural Science curriculum blends courses from many of the basic sciences as a foundation for higher level work in Neural Science. Minimum requirements for graduation include:
Additional requirements for Honors Track
Additional recommended courses include:
Pre-health students must satisfy additional requirements:
Who To Contact:For further information and advising interested students should either contact the Administrative Director of Students or should make an advising appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies by contacting the Administrative Director.
Administrative Director of Students
Requirements for Declaring a Neural Science MajorOnly the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Neural Science (or a faculty member in the department designated by the director) may declare a student a Neural Science Major. Advisors at the College Advising office, and DUGSs in other departments, cannot declare a student a Neural Science major. In order to be eligible to declare a Neural Science major, a student must have grades of C or better in all courses required for the major that have been completed at the time of declaration. Specific Course Requirements for the MajorNeural Science Courses:The first course students take in Neural Science is Introduction to Neural Science, taught annually in the Fall; this course should be taken in the sophomore year after a student has completed the first 2 courses of the Biology Core sequence (Bio I, Bio II). Following Introduction to Neural Science, students take each of two higher level Neural Science courses: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, taught annually in the Fall, and Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience, taught annually in the Spring; these courses should be taken in the Junior year. Physics for Neuroscience (or Physics II) is offered annually in the Spring and is recommended prior to Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience. Please note that Physics for Neuroscience may not be taught in spring 2009 so students completing the physics requirement after the 2007-2008 may be required to take both Physics I and II. Students then take three of the Neural Science elective courses: e.g., Developmental Neurobiology, Computational Neuroscience, or Special Topics in Neural Science. Students with an interest in computational neuroscience should take at least one course in computer science, normally Introduction to Computer Science.
Biology Courses:
Psychology Courses:
Chemistry Courses:
Physics Courses:
Mathematics Courses:
Computer Science Courses:
Grading and Academic Performance RequirementsThe minimum acceptable grade in courses required for the major is C. These academic standards must be maintained in order for major standing to continue.
HonorsStudents must apply to the DUGs for admission to the Honors Track. Students requesting Honors status must receive a B or better in Introduction to Neural Science, achieve a grade point average of 3.65 or better in all courses required for the major and 3.65 over all courses taken for credit. Students should also demonstrate a genuine interest in research. Students must conduct at least one semester of research with a faculty member affiliated with the Center for Neural Science (or an otherwise approved faculty member). The student must submit an honors thesis that must be accepted for Honors standing by the faculty sponsor and the DUGS. Presentation of the thesis work at NYU's annual Undergraduate Research Conference is required. To apply for admission to the Honors Track, please download this PDF file.
MinorsThere is no Minor concentration in Neural Science. Neural Science courses can be taken as electives through the Biology or Psychology Departments for interested students. Students wishing to major in Neural Science and declare a Minor in another science department must take 1-2 additional courses in that department, beyond those required for the major (one for Chemistry, two for Biology and Psychology).
Morse Academic PlanAll students must meet the additional requirements of the College, as laid out in the Morse Academic Plan (MAP), in order to have a broad well-rounded liberal arts education. Neural Science students need to satisfy the Expository Writing, Foreign Language, and Foundations of Contemporary Culture components of the MAP. In addition, students must pass the English Writing Proficiency exam administered by the Expository Writing program.
Psychology Double-MajorFor students wishing to double major in Psychology and Neural Science: G89.2228001 (Psych Stats) and V80.0202 (Behav & Integ Neurosci) can be used toward the degree in both majors. If the student chooses to fulfill the 'Biology/Psychology' elective requirement with a Psychology course, this course can not be one used toward the Psychology degree.
Point distributions for the Neural Science MajorThe courses comprising the major tally to 65 points (73 for Honors track). For pre-health students, the additional required courses (Physics I and Org. I & II with lab) bring the major point total to 82 (90). Points associated with each required course are listed below.
V80.0100 Introduction to Neural Science (4); Fall only
V23.0011 Principles of Biology I (4)
V25.0101/0103 College Chemistry I plus lab (6) G89.0010001 Intermediate Statistical Methods (3)
V63.0121 Calculus I (4) Electives:
3 in Neural Science (12) Acceptable Electives in Biology and PsychologyPsychology:V89.0020 Learning V89.0021 Lab in Animal Learning V89.0022 Perception V89.0044 Lab in Perception V89.0029 Cognitive Psychology V89.0028 Lab in Human Cognition V89.0055 Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Medicine V89.0056 Psycholinguistics
Biology Neural Science Course ChecklistNote that unless otherwise indicated, no grade of less than C is allowed as fulfillment of any requirement. A grade of less than C in any requirement makes a student ineligible to continue as a Neural Science major.
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