Neuroscience BS

Major: Neuroscience
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits:181.5
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 Reasoning12.0
Select one of the following two sequences:
Sequence 1: Intro to Analysis:
Introduction to Analysis I
and Introduction to Analysis II
and Mathematics for the Life Sciences
Sequence 2: Calculus
Calculus I
and Calculus II
and Linear Algebra
Engaging the Natural World 6.0-10.0
Cells and Biomolecules
Cells and Genetics
Cells and Biomolecules Lab
Evolution
Analyzing Cultures and Histories 7.0
Choose any HIST or PHIL course (100-499)
Understanding Society and Human Behavior6.0-9.0
General Psychology I
Evolutionary Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Choose any ANTH, ENGL, PSCI, SOC course (100-499)
Cultivating Global Competence6.0
Choose any GST, ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GER, JAPN, KOR, SPAN course (100-499)
Perspectives in Diversity6.0-8.0
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
Bioscience (select from the list below)6.0-9.0
Cells and Biomolecules
Cells and Biomolecules Lab
Genetics and Evolution
Genetics and Evolution Lab
Physiology and Ecology
Anatomy and Ecology Lab
Human Physiology I
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II
Principles of Molecular Biology
Techniques in Molecular Biology
Form, Function & Evolution of Vertebrates
Vertebrate Biology and Evolution Laboratory
General Science (select from the list below)7.5-9.0
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
General Chemistry III
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Introductory Physics I
Introductory Physics II
Introductory Physics III
Statistics & Scientific Methodology6.0-13.0
Required to take one of the following 3 sequences (6 credits minimum):
Sequence 1: Bio-applications:
Biomedical Statistics
Experimental Design in Biomedical Research
Sequence 2: Behavioral Science-applications:
Computer-Assisted Data Analysis I
Computer-Assisted Data Analysis II
Sequence 3: General-applications:
Scientific Data Analysis I
Scientific Data Analysis II
Additional Optional Methodology Classes
Experimental Psychology
Computational Bioengineering
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
COM 310 [WI] Technical Communication3.0
or COM 320 Science Writing
Neuroethics (Select 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 below)15.0
Free Electives **21.0-36.5
Total Credits181.5-188.5
*

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 462Biology of Neuron Function3.0
BIO 463Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration3.0
Electives9.0
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I
Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II
Biotechnology
Evolutionary Biology & Human Health
Biochemistry
Organic Chemistry III
Bioinformatics I
Bioinformatics II
Bioinformatics Laboratory
Biology of Aging
Behavioral Genetics
Neurobiology of Disease
Chronoengineering I: Biological Rhythms in Health and Performance
Independent Study in BIO
Chronoengineering II: Sleep Functions in Health and Performance
Quantitative Systems Biology
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
Evolutionary Biology & Human Health
Biology of Aging
Behavioral Genetics
Neurobiology of Disease
Systems Neuroscience and its Applications in Medicine and Engineering
Brain Computer Interfaces
Principles of Neuroimaging
Quantitative Systems Biology
Brain Computer Interface Laboratory
Sensation and Perception
Psychology of Learning
Psychology of Language
Drugs & Human Behavior
Special Topics in Psychology
Psychology Senior Thesis I
Independent Study in PSY
Psychology Senior Thesis II
Independent Study in PSY
Psychology Senior Thesis III
Independent Study in PSY
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 BMES
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 134 or 1421.0-2.0BIO 135 or 1431.0-2.0MATH 2394.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
PSY 1013.0MATH 1024.0SOC Elective3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 HIST Elective4.0  
 16-17 18-19 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1224.5BIO 2014.0BIO 2184.0VACATION
BMES 3104.0CHEM 1024.5BMES 2013.0 
CHEM 1013.5COM 2303.0PSY 2123.0 
PSY 2643.0PSY 2653.0PSY 4103.0 
Free elective3.0Free Elective3.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
 18 17.5 16 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0BIO 4633.0VACATION
BIO 4123.0BIO 4623.0BMES 3383.0 
BMES 2023.0BMES 3533.0Perspectives in Diversity4.0 
COM 310 or 3203.0PSY 3123.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
Free Elective3.0   
 15 12 13 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 4653.0BIO 2094.0BIO 2114.0 
BMES 4834.0BIO 2244.0Free Electives9.0 
PHIL Elective3.0ENTP 1053.0  
Free Elective3.0Free Elective3.0  
 13 14 13 
Total Credits 181.5-183.5

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

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 134 or 1421.0-2.0BIO 135 or 1431.0-2.0MATH 2394.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Sociology (SOC) Elective3.0 
PSY 1013.0MATH 1024.0Perspective in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 HIST Elective4.0  
 16-17 18-19 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1224.5BIO 2014.0BIO 2184.0COOP 1011.0
BMES 3104.0CHEM 1024.5BMES 2013.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0
CHEM 1013.5COM 2303.0PSY 2123.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0
PSY 2643.0PSY 2653.0PSY 4103.0Free Electives6.0
Free elective3.0Free elective3.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
 18 17.5 16 13
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
BIO 4123.0BIO 4623.0  
BMES 2023.0BMES 3533.0  
COM 310 or 3203.0PSY 3123.0  
Free Elective3.0   
 15 12 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 4653.0BIO 2094.0BIO 2114.0 
BMES 4834.0BIO 2244.0BIO 4633.0 
PHIL Elective3.0ENTP 1053.0BMES 3383.0 
Free Elective3.0Free Elective3.0Free Elective3.0 
 13 14 13 
Total Credits 181.5-183.5

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

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 134 or 1421.0-2.0BIO 135 or 1431.0-2.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PSY 3303.0 
PSY 1013.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Sociology (SOC) Elective3.0 
MATH 1214.0MATH 1224.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 16-17 14-15 15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1224.5BIO 2014.0BMES 2013.0VACATION
BMES 3104.0CHEM 1024.5PSY 2123.0 
CHEM 1013.5COM 2303.0PSY 4103.0 
MATH 2004.0PSY 2653.0PSY 2133.0 
PSY 2643.0MATH 2014.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
 19 18.5 15 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0BMES 3383.0VACATION
BIO 4123.0BMES 3533.0PSY T4803.0 
BMES 2023.0PSY 3123.0Free Elective3.0 
COM 310 or 3203.0PSY 4123.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
PSY 3603.0 Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
 15 12 15 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 4653.0PSY 3103.0PSY 3253.0 
BMES 4834.0SCTS 2054.0PSY 492 or I4994.0 
PSY 490 or I4994.0PSY 491 or I4994.0HIST elective4.0 
PHIL Elective3.0BMES 4093.0Free Electives3.0 
 14 14 14 
Total Credits 181.5-183.5

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

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 134 or 1421.0-2.0BIO 135 or 1431.0-2.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PSY 3303.0 
PSY 1013.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0SOC Elective3.0 
MATH 1214.0MATH 1224.0Perspetives in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 HIST Elective4.0  
 16-17 18-19 15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1224.5BIO 2014.0BMES 2013.0COOP 1011.0
BMES 3104.0CHEM 1024.5PSY 2123.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0
CHEM 1013.5COM 2303.0PSY 4103.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0
MATH 2004.0MATH 2014.0PSY 2133.0Free Electives6.0
PSY 2643.0PSY 2653.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
 19 18.5 15 13
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 3483.0BIO 3493.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
BIO 4123.0BMES 3533.0  
BMES 2023.0PSY 3123.0  
COM 310 or 3203.0PSY 4123.0  
PSY 3603.0   
 15 12 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 4653.0BMES 4093.0BMES 3383.0 
BMES 4834.0PSY 3103.0PSY 3253.0 
PSY 490 or I4994.0PSY 491 or I4994.0PSY T4803.0 
PHIL Elective3.0SCTS 2054.0PSY 492 or I4994.0 
 14 14 13 
Total Credits 182.5-184.5

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

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
BIO 134 or 1421.0-2.0BIO 135 or 1431.0-2.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0PHYS 1024.0 
PSY 1013.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
MATH 1214.0MATH 1224.0SOC Elective3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0NEUS 2011.0  
 PHYS 1014.0  
 16-17 18-19 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1224.5BIO 2014.0BIO 2184.0VACATION
BMES 3104.0BMES 3154.0BMES 2013.0 
MATH 2004.0COM 2303.0PSY 2123.0 
PHYS 1524.0PHYS 1534.0PSY 4103.0 
 MATH 2014.0  
 16.5 19 13 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BMES 2023.0BIO 3493.0BMES 3383.0VACATION
BMES 4773.0BMES 3533.0Cultivating Gobal Competence6.0 
COM 2103.0BMES 3754.0Perspectives in Diversity4.0 
COM 310 or 3203.0BMES 4783.0  
ECE 2014.0PSY 3123.0  
 16 16 13 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 3483.0BMES 3032.0BMES 4243.0 
BMES 3022.0BMES 4093.0BMES I4993.0 
BMES 4834.0BMES 4153.0HIST Elective4.0 
BMES I4993.0BMES I4992.0Free Electives3.0 
 Free electives3.0  
 12 13 13 
Total Credits 181.5-183.5

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

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 134 or 1421.0-2.0BIO 1324.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0BIO 135 or 1431.0-2.0PHIL 111 or 1213.0 
MATH 1214.0CIVC 1011.0PHYS 1024.0 
PSY 1013.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0 
UNIV S101 or R1011.0MATH 1224.0Sociology (SOC) Elective3.0 
 NEUS 2011.0  
 PHYS 1014.0  
 12-13 18-19 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1224.5BIO 2014.0BIO 2184.0COOP 1011.0
BMES 3104.0BMES 3154.0BMES 2013.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0
MATH 2004.0COM 2303.0PSY 2123.0HIST Elective4.0
PHYS 1524.0MATH 2014.0PSY 4103.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0
 PHYS 1534.0 Free Elective3.0
 16.5 19 13 14
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BMES 2023.0BIO 3493.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
BMES 4773.0BMES 3533.0  
COM 310 or 3203.0BMES 3754.0  
ECE 2014.0BMES 4783.0  
MATH 2104.0PSY 3123.0  
 17 16 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
BIO 3483.0BMES 3032.0BMES 3383.0 
BMES 3022.0BMES 4093.0BMES 4243.0 
BMES 4834.0BMES 4153.0BMES I4994.0 
BMES I4994.0BMES I4994.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0 
 Free Electives3.0  
 13 15 13 
Total Credits 182.5-184.5
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