College of Science

Neuroscience

Overview

The Neuroscience (NEUR) program is a joint effort of many academic departments within, and outside of, the College of Science and of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. It resides in, and is organized as a division of, the College of Science's Academy of Integrated Science.

The Neuroscience B.S. promotes the advancement and integration of knowledge about the brain and the entire central nervous system, and how they react to and are affected by the vast milieu of stimuli they encounter. The degree program is built on collaborative work and education of students in the classroom, and on the student interactions with researchers and practitioners, providing an unparalleled breadth of neuroscience education at the undergraduate level.

Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

A special brochure describing the division and the B.S. program in Neuroscience is available from the division's webpage or upon request.

Degree Requirements:

The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as “Checksheets”. The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.

The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.

Please visit the University Registrar website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/index.html for degree requirements.

Satisfactory Progress

University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education) (see "Academics") and toward the degree.

Satisfactory progress requirements toward the B.S. in Neuroscience can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/index.html.

Undergraduate Courses (NEUR)

1004: NEUROSCIENCE ORIENTATION SEMINAR
An introduction to the field of neuroscience, and academic and career planning for neuroscience majors. Exposure to areas of practice and research, and opportunities for education, training and employment in this field. (1H,1C)

2025-2026: INTRODUCTION TO NEUROSCIENCE
Introduction to the fundamental principles of neuroscience. 2025: Structure and function of central nervous system in humans and other animals, signal processing and transmission, development of neural and brain circuits, encoding and transmission of sensory and perceptual information, motor control/movement. 2026:Complex brain processes including learning, memory, emotion, decision making, social behavior, and mental and functioning. Pre: (BIOL 1105, BIOL 1106), CHEM 1036 for 2025; 2025 for 2026. (3H,3C)

2035-2036: NEUROSCIENCE LABORATORY
Organization and function of the nervous system. 2035: neuroanatomy, central and peripheral nervous system, extracellular recording, nerve stimulation, electrophysiology, and neurotransmitters. 2036: promoter reporter assays, DNA amplification using PCR, microscopy, bacterial amplification of DNA, cloning, subcloning, and independent projects. Co: 2025 for 2035; 2026 for 2036. (2L,1C)

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3044: CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
Fundamental principles of cellular and molecular neuroscience. Methods to study neurochemistry and neurobiology, theoretical and practical issues of relating cellular/molecular structures and functions to higher-level nervous system functioning, and current understanding of cellular/molecular bases of nervous system disorders. Pre: 2026. (3H,3C)

3064: EDUCATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
The conceptual framework of neuroscience of learning and instruction. Methods for studying mind and brain functions and their role in academic success and failure in educational settings. Theoretical and practical issues regarding pedagogy and assessment. Pre: 2026. (3H,3C)

3084: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
Concepts in cognitive neuroscience. Methods available to study brain and nervous system function, theoretical and practical issues of relating mental functions to biological brain functions. Overview of current understanding of the neural bases of various mental functions (e.g., memory, attention, emotion, decision making). Pre: 2026. (3H,3C)

4034: CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
Concepts and applications in clinical neuroscience, with emphasis on clinical presentations of nervous system dysfunction: brain and spinal cord regions, ascending and descending tracts, reflex arcs, deep brain structures and the cerebellum; peripheral (including enteric) nervous system. Pre: 3044, 3084. (3H,3C)

4044: NEUROSCIENCE SENIOR SEMINAR
Integration of methods and results from cutting-edge interdisciplinary neuroscience research; theoretical and practical issues when linking molecular/cellular structures and processes to higher-level neurological and psychological functions. Pre: 3044, 3084. (3H,3C)

4054: NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
Integration of the interdisciplinary fields of neuroscience: includes the conceptual frameworks and theories of neuroscience spanning molecules to behavior, the methods available to study nervous system structure and function from molecules to behavior, theoretical and practical issues of linking these lower-levels structures and processes to higher-level neurological and psychological functions, and the latest applications and technologies for translating neuroscience into more effective interventions and treatments. Pre: 3044, 3084. (3H,3C)

4084: DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
Concepts in development cognitive neuroscience. Methods available to study development of brain and nervous system function. Relating developmental change in mental functions to development of biological brain functions. Advancements in research and practice regarding developmental basis of neurological and mental functions (e.g., memory, attention, emotion). Pre: 3084. (3H,3C)

4454: NEUROECONOMICS
Neural processes related to reward, learning, reflection, delay of gratification, and social interaction. Clinical uses of neuroeconomics research techniques. Implications of neuroeconomics in economics, policy, law and business. Pre: 2026 or ECON 3104. (3H,3C)

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

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