Program: Neuroscience, B.S. - University of Nevada, Reno

University General Course Catalog 2012-2013

Apr 06, 2025

Biology - 147 Fleischmann Agriculture
(775) 784-6188
Psychology 438 Mack Social Science
(775) 784-6828

The Interdisciplinary program in Neuroscience offers training leading to a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. The major is designed to provide students with a strong background in both systems and physiological approaches to understanding the brain, and to prepare students for professions and advanced studies in a wide range of fields including behavioral and biological science and health sciences. The program is administered jointly through the Departments of Biology and Psychology and draws on courses offered through both departments for the curriculum. Because of curricular overlaps students cannot pursue dual degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology or dual majors in Neuroscience and Biology nor can they have a minor in Biology. Students majoring in neuroscience may minor in psychology, but they cannot apply courses completed for the major to their minor.

I. University Core Curriculum Requirements (39-44 units)

A. English (3-8 units)

Refer to the “English” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

NOTE: Students who place into ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101 .

B. Mathematics (4 units)

Refer to the “Mathematics” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

MATH 181 - Calculus I (4 units)

C. Natural Sciences (8 units)

CHEM 121A - General Chemistry I (3 units) * AND
CHEM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1 unit)
CHEM 122A - General Chemistry II (3 units) * AND
CHEM 122L - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1 unit)

Note(s):

* CHEM 201 and CHEM 202 are also acceptable.

D. Social Sciences (3 units)

Refer to the “Social Sciences” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

NOTE: PSY 101 , a major requirement listed below, satisfies this Social Sciences requirement.

E. Fine Arts (3 units)

Refer to the “Fine Arts” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

F. Core Humanities (9 units)

Refer to the “Core Humanities” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

G. Capstone Courses (6 units)

Refer to the “Capstone” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

H. Diversity Requirement (3 units)

Refer to the “Diversity” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

II. Additional Requirements (0 units)

III. Major Requirements (55-64 units)

A. Biology Foundation Courses (19 units)

BIOL 190 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (3 units)
BIOL 191 - Introduction Organismal Biology (3 units)
BIOL 192 - Principles of Biological Investigation (2 units)
BIOL 300 - Principles of Genetics (3 units)
BIOL 315R - Cell Biology (3 units)
BIOL 395 - Laboratory in Genetics and Cell Biology (2 units)
BIOL 475 - Neurobiology (3 units)

B. Psychology Foundation Courses (7-10 units)

PSY 101 - General Psychology (3 units) (If this course is used to satisfy Core Curriculum Social Sciences, units will be counted in that section.)
PSY 301 - Experimental Psychology (4 units)
PSY 403 - Physiological Psychology (3 units)

F. Major Electives (15-17 units)

Choose five courses from the following two clusters. Choose at least two courses from each cluster.

Biology Cluster (6-11 units)

At least two of the five courses must come from this cluster:

BIOL 223 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 units)
BIOL 316 - Comparative Animal Physiology (3 units)
BIOL 405 - Molecular Biology (3 units) *
BIOL 406 - Molecular Biology Laboratory (3 units) **
BIOL 415 - Evolution (4 units)
BIOL 466 - Developmental Biology (3 units)
BIOL 477 - Genes, Brain, and Behavior (3 units)
BIOL 481 - Principles of Animal Behavior (3 units) ***

Note(s):

* Prerequisite(s): CHEM 220A or CHEM 241 or CHEM 341 ; BCH 400 .

** Corequisite(s): BCH 405 .

*** Can also be completed as PSY 481 .

Psychology Cluster (6-9 units)

At least two of the five courses must come from this cluster:

PHIL 434 - Philosophy of Cognitive Science (3 units) OR
PHIL 435 - Philosophy of Mind (3 units)
PSY 404 - Human Psychophysiology Lab (3 units)
PSY 405 - Perception (3 units)
PSY 413 - Animal Intelligence (3 units)
PSY 416 - Cognitive Psychology (3 units)
PSY 419 - Conditioning and Learning (3 units)
PSY 427 - Computer Applications in Social and Behavioral Science (3 units)
PSY 432 - Human Memory (3 units)
PSY 481 - Principles of Animal Behavior (3 units) **

Note(s):

** Can also be completed as BIOL 481 .

IV. Minor Requirements (0 units)

V. Electives (9-26 units)

At least six units must come from courses offered outside of the Biology and Psychology Departments and cannot include courses taken to satisfy the University Core Curriculum requirements.

General Electives for Premedical Students should include the following:

CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I (3 units)
CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II (3 units)
OR
CHEM 341 - Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals I (3 units)
CHEM 342 - Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals II (3 units)
CHEM 345 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 units)

VI. Total Units (120 units)

A candidate for a Bachelor’s degree must earn a minimum of 42 units numbered 300-499.

VII. Recommended Schedule

A. First Year

Fall Semester (16 units)

ENG 101 - Composition I (3 units) *
MATH 127R - Precalculus II (3 units) *
Core Curriculum Fine Arts (3 units)
BIOL 105 - Introduction to Neuroscience (3 units) OR
PSY 105 - Introduction to Neuroscience (3 units)
CHEM 121A - General Chemistry I (3 units) AND
CHEM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1 unit)
OR
CHEM 201 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers I (4 units)

Spring Semester (17 units)

ENG 102 - Composition II (3 units) *
MATH 181 - Calculus I (4 units)
BIOL 190 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (3 units)
PSY 101 - General Psychology (3 units) **
CHEM 122A - General Chemistry II (3 units) AND
CHEM 122L - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1 unit)
OR
CHEM 202 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers II (4 units)

Note(s):

* English and Math course placement is based on test scores. Please consult the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog.

** Meets the Core Curriculum Social Sciences requirement.

B. Second Year

Fall Semester (15 units)

CH 201 - Ancient and Medieval Cultures (3 units)
BIOL 191 - Introduction Organismal Biology (3 units)
BIOL 192 - Principles of Biological Investigation (2 units)
PHYS 151R - Gen Physics I & Lab (4 units)
OR
PHYS 180 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (3 units) AND
PHYS 180L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory I (1 unit)
General Elective (3 units) OR
CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I (3 units) * OR
CHEM 341 - Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals I (3 units) *

Note(s):

* For Premed Majors.

Spring Semester (16 units)

CH 202 - The Modern World (3 units)
PSY 210 - Statistical Methods (3 units)
Core Curriculum Diversity (3 units)
PHYS 152R - Gen Physics II & Lab (4 units)
OR
PHYS 181 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (3 units) AND
PHYS 181L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory II (1 unit)
General Elective (3 units) OR
CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II (3 units) * OR
CHEM 342 - Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals II (3 units) * (pre-med)

Note(s):

* For Premed Majors.

C. Third Year

Fall Semester (15 units)

BIOL 300 - Principles of Genetics (3 units)
CHEM 345 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 units)
PSY 301 - Experimental Psychology (4 units)
PSY 403 - Physiological Psychology (3 units)
General Elective (3 units)

Spring Semester (14 units)

CH 203 - American Experiences and Constitutional Change (3 units)
BIOL 315R - Cell Biology (3 units)
BIOL 395 - Laboratory in Genetics and Cell Biology (2 units)
Major Electives (6 units)

D. Fourth Year

Fall Semester (15 units)

BIOL 475 - Neurobiology (3 units)
General Elective (3 units)
Major Elective (3 units)
Core Curriculum General Capstone (3 units)
Direct Learning, Independent Study (3 units)

Spring Semester (12 units)

Core Curriculum General Capstone (3 units)
Major Electives (6 units)
General Elective (3 units)

Neuroscience, B.S.

I. University Core Curriculum Requirements (39-44 units)

A. English (3-8 units)

B. Mathematics (4 units)

C. Natural Sciences (8 units)

Note(s):

D. Social Sciences (3 units)

E. Fine Arts (3 units)

F. Core Humanities (9 units)

G. Capstone Courses (6 units)

H. Diversity Requirement (3 units)

II. Additional Requirements (0 units)

III. Major Requirements (55-64 units)

A. Biology Foundation Courses (19 units)

B. Psychology Foundation Courses (7-10 units)

C. Statistics (3-4 units)

D. Physics (8 units)

E. Direct Learning, Independent Study (3-6 units)

F. Major Electives (15-17 units)

Biology Cluster (6-11 units)

Note(s):

Psychology Cluster (6-9 units)

Note(s):

IV. Minor Requirements (0 units)

V. Electives (9-26 units)

General Electives for Premedical Students should include the following:

VI. Total Units (120 units)

VII. Recommended Schedule

A. First Year

Fall Semester (16 units)

Spring Semester (17 units)

Note(s):

B. Second Year

Fall Semester (15 units)

Note(s):

Spring Semester (16 units)

Note(s):

C. Third Year

Fall Semester (15 units)

Spring Semester (14 units)

D. Fourth Year

Fall Semester (15 units)

Spring Semester (12 units)