Neuroscience, BSLAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Neuroscience
The School of MCB’s neuroscience curriculum combines the study of molecular and cellular biology with neuroscience, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuro-pathology. Students will gain an understanding of brain function at multiple levels, from behavior and information processing to systems and integrative physiology. We use model organisms like fruit flies, fish, and mice, and we will explore cells at all levels, from the dish to cells functioning in animals. We seek to understand the causes of a variety of disorders, from neurodevelopmental to neurodegenerative disorders, from brain cancer to epilepsy, and to develop biomedical treatments for them. As a neuroscience major, you’ll take a variety of cutting-edge courses and develop critically-important laboratory skills. Students conduct research alongside faculty who lead pioneering programs in sensory processing, neuroendocrinology, physiology of neurons and glia, regeneration, and cell signaling with advanced techniques, such as optogenetics and neuroimaging.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Neuroscience
Minimum Required Courses: 83-84 hours including 29 hours of 300- or 400-level courses. 12 hours of advanced level courses in the major must be taken on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
In addition, undergraduate research (MCB 290) in an MCB Neuroscience-designated lab is strongly recommended for students planning to go to graduate school. No more than 10 hours of MCB 290 credit may be counted towards the 120 hours required for a degree in Neuroscience.
Students earning a degree in Neuroscience may not also earn a second degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry.
Students earning a degree in Neuroscience may not double major in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Distinction
Students in Neuroscience can qualify for Distinction via one of the following:
Distinction for Excellence in Research:
To be eligible for graduation with Distinction a student must:
Complete 3 semesters of MCB 290 for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research symposium or other approved venue. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator.
To be eligible for graduation with High Distinction a student must:
Complete at least 2 semesters of MCB 290, in an MCB Neuroscience-designated lab, for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Complete 1 semester of MCB 492, in the same Neuroscience-designated lab, for 3 credit hours or more in their final semester. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium or other approved venue. Submit a written thesis that is approved by the Distinction Committee. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator.
To be eligible for graduation with Highest Distinction a student must:
Complete at least 2 semesters of MCB 290, in an MCB Neuroscience-designated lab, for 2 credit hours or more each semester. Complete 1 semester of MCB 492, in the same Neuroscience-designated lab, for 3 credit hours or more in their final semester. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.90 at the end of penultimate semester. Give at least one presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium or other approved venue. Submit a written thesis that is approved by the Distinction Committee. Obtain a letter of support from their Principal Investigator.
Distinction for Excellence in Academics:
To be eligible for graduation with Academic Distinction a student must:
Maintain a major GPA of 3.90 or higher in the Neuroscience major (MCB/Neuroscience, Chemistry, Physics and Math courses for the Neuroscience major) at the end of their penultimate semester.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements, including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum required major and supporting course work: 83-84 hours, including 29 credit hours of 300- or 400-level courses; 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
Minimum Hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: 83-84, including 29 hours of 300-/400- level courses. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
University Requirements
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
fulfilled by PSYC 100 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Science | ||
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-20 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting Courses | 30-31 | |
| Calculus | ||
or MATH 221 | Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | ||
or STAT 212 | Biostatistics | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I and General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | ||
| Elementary Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Elementary Organic Chem Lab I | ||
| College Physics: Mech & Heat and College Physics: E&M & Modern | ||
| Neuroscience Introductory Courses | 11 | |
| Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life | ||
| Society and the Brain | ||
| Intro Psych | ||
| Neuroscience Core Courses | 13 | |
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Exp Techniqs in Molecular Biol | ||
| Cells, Tissues & Development | ||
| Exp Techniqs in Cellular Biol | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
or PSYC 224 | Cognitive Psych | |
| Advanced Neuroscience Courses | 14 | |
| Introduction to Neurobiology | ||
| Biochem & Phys Basis of Life | ||
| Neuroanatomy Laboratory | ||
| Cell & Molecular Neuroscience | ||
| Integrative Neuroscience | ||
| Advanced Neuroscience Elective Courses | ||
| Five additional three- or four-credit hour courses (minimum of 15 hours) at the 300- to 400-level from the Approved Advanced Elective Courses List are also required. 1 | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 83-84 | |
- 1
The Approved Advanced Elective Course List will be available on the MCB website and will be updated each semester to most accurately reflect the courses to be offered each academic year.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Neuroscience
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Free Elective Course | 1 | MCB 150 | 4 |
| MCB 170 | 3 | PSYC 100 | 4 |
| CHEM 102 | 3 | CHEM 104 | 3 |
| CHEM 103 | 1 | CHEM 105 | 1 |
| Composition I or MATH 220 (or MATH 221) | 5 | MATH 220 or 221 (or Composition I) | 5 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MCB 250 | 3 | MCB 252 | 3 |
| MCB 251 | 2 | MCB 253 | 2 |
| CHEM 232 | 4 | CHEM 233 | 2 |
| STAT 212 or MATH 231 | 3 | PSYC 210 or 224 | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 | Language Other Than English (4th level) | 4 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MCB 314 | 3 | MCB 460 | 2 |
| MCB 354 | 3 | Advanced Neuroscience elective | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | 5 | PHYS 102 | 5 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 14 | 13 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MCB 461 | 3 | MCB 462 | 3 |
| Advanced Neuroscience elective | 3 | Advanced Neuroscience elective | 3 |
| Advanced Neuroscience elective | 3 | Advanced Neuroscience elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Neuroscience
School of Molecular & Cellular Biology website
School Faculty
MCB advising
MCB advising email
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website