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Pathways Through the NS&B Major

There are several pathways through the major from which to choose. Here are 4 examples:

Recommended Course Sequence

	*Fall*	*Spring*

Year 1	BIOL 181/191	BIOL 182/192
	CHEM 141 (or 143)	CHEM 142 (or 144)



Year 2	NSB 213	NS&B Advanced
	CHEM 251	CHEM 252



Year 3	PHYS 111	PHYS 112
	NS&B Advanced	NS&B Advanced



Year 4	NS&B Advanced	NS&B Advanced
	*Psych/Bio/MBB

This course sequence is recommended for a number of reasons. You will have taken the core introductory biology series and much of the required chemistry early which will provide a strong background for the advanced NS&B courses. This sequence will also limit the number of science courses to 2 or fewer per semester, provide sufficient time for undergraduate research during your last 2 years and, if desired, time to complete an honors thesis during your senior year.
*Any upper level (200 or higher) course in one of these departments.

Alternative 1 (Early Starter)

	*Fall*	*Spring*

Year 1	BIOL 181/191	BIOL 182/192
	NSB 213	NS&B Advanced



Year 2	NS&B Advanced	NS&B Advanced
	CHEM 141 (or 143)	CHEM 142 (or 144)



Year 3	NS&B Advanced	NS&B Advanced
	CHEM 251	CHEM 252



Year 4	PHYS 111	PHYS 112
	*Psych/Bio/MBB

In this sequence, the gateway course to the major (NS&B 213) is taken during the first year rather than the second. Students with a strong science background may elect this option which has the advantage of providing an earlier overview to the field of behavioral neuroscience. A second advantage is earlier access to advanced courses that have NS&B 213 as a prerequisite. You would also maximize the amount of time available for research/honors thesis during your senior year. In order to take 213 your first semester here, you must have an AP Bio score of 5 and permission of the instructor.
*Any upper level (200 or higher) course in one of these departments.

Alternative 2 (Late Starter)

	*Fall*	*Spring*

Year 1		NS&B Advanced/Psy
		NS&B Advanced/Psy



Year 2	Bio 181/191	Bio 182/192
	PHYS 111	PHYS 112
	NSB 213	NS&B Advanced


Year 3	BIOL 207/217	NS&B Advanced
	CHEM 141 (or 143)	CHEM 142 (or 144)



Year 4	CHEM 251	CHEM 252
	*Psych/Bio/MBB	NS&B Advanced

Alternative 2 is an example of how you might delay taking the core introductory biology series and other foundation courses until your second year and still be prepared to become a major at the usual time. Note that at some point you will have to take 3 science courses in 2 semesters but if this is done early enough, you should still have plenty of time for research during your last 2 years if so desired.
*Any upper level (200 or higher) course in one of these departments.

Alternative 3 (Very Late Starter)

	*Fall*	*Spring*

Year 1




Year 2	NSB 213	NS&B Advanced/Psy
	PHYS 111	PHYS 112



Year 3	BIOL 181/191	BIOL 182/192
	CHEM 141 (or 143)	CHEM 142 (or 144)
	NS&B Advanced	NS&B Advanced


Year 4	CHEM 251	CHEM 252
	NS&B Advanced	NS&B Advanced
	*Psych/Bio/MBB

This hypothetical course sequence shows how it is still possible to major in NS&B even when you take no science courses during your first year. Note that you can still declare the major by the end of your sophomore year. However, the drawbacks are several. First, you will have multiple semesters with more than 2 science courses--a heavy load. You will also have less time for research during your last 2 years. Perhaps most important is the fact that having to take foundation courses at the same time or even after some advanced courses will mean you are less well prepared for the most advanced neuroscience courses.
*Any upper level (200 or higher) course in one of these departments.

To declare the NS&B major by the end of Spring term, sophomore year, you will need to have taken 213 or 181 and one other foundation or upper level course with a minimum grade of C- in both.

These are but a few ways of fulfilling the major requirements. In most scenarios, the order in which you take upper level courses from the Psychology and Biology Departments is arbitrary. This is also true for the order in which Physics and Chemistry courses are presented. However, we recommend that you take the 2 years of Chemistry consecutively to maximize retention and application of material from year 1 to year 2. Some students are reluctant to take Introductory Biology and Chemistry during their first semester. We recommend that if you choose to take only one subject, make it Biology.