Neuroscience
Executive Director: H. Sontheimer
Professors: M. L. Olsen
Associate Professors: S. M. Clinton
Assistant Professors: J.M. Bowers, M. Buczynski, G. Hodes, S. Robel, K. Sewall, and C. Thompson
Affiliated Faculty: L. Achenie, S. Ball, M. A. Bell, L. Bergamasco, A.S. Bertke, D. Bevan, W. Bickel, R. Blieszner Campbell, S. Cao Guohua, P. Carlier, A. Cate, J. Chappell, P. Chiu, M. Cline, B. Corl, R. Davalos, S. DeLuca, M. Denbow, N. Dervisis, R. Diana, H. Dorn, Z. Elias, X. Feng, M. Fox, C. Frank, M. Friedlander, B. Friedman, E. Gilbert, D. Good, R. Gourdie, D. Harrison, G. Howes, R. Jensen, X. Jia, B. Johnson, J. Jones, B. S. Jortner, D. Kelly, B. King-Casas, B. Klein, S. Kojima, S. Laconte, Y. W. Lee, L. Li, E. Marvin, M. McKay, T. Milam, R. Montague, I. Moore, R. Moran, A. Morozov, K. Mukherjee, N. Nanthakumar, M. Orr, R. Panneton, J. Phillips, S. Ramey, K. Roberta, J. Rossmeisl Jr., W. Santos, A. Scarpa, Z. Sheng, G. Simonds, D. J. Slade, A. Smith, M. Theus, G. Valdez, P. VandeVord, S. Verbridge, C. Wyatt, D. Xie, B. Xu, and D. Zallen
Undergraduate Advisor: N. Sou
Overview
The Neuroscience degree draws on faculty and resources from many departments across the campus including but not limited to Animal & Poultry Science, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology and Statistics. Graduates of this interdisciplinary program will be proficient in integrating neurogenetics, cellular and molecular neuroscience, neurophysiology, cognitive, computational and systems neuroscience.
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.
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.
Neuroscience Majors
- Neuroscience B.S. Clinical Neuroscience
- Neuroscience B.S. Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
- Neuroscience B.S. Computational and Systems Neuroscience
- Neuroscience B.S. Experimental Neuroscience
Transfer students should contact the department early, preferably one full semester prior to entrance. This procedure will allow a thorough evaluation of transfer credits and correct placement.
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 Course Descriptions (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 for 2025; 2025 for 2026.
(3H,3C)
2035-2036: NEUROSCIENCE LABORATORY
Organization and function of the nervous system.
2035: neuroanatomy, microscopy, intracellular stimulation,
extracellular recording, electrophysiology,
neurotransmitters, and neuroplasticity. 2036: receptive
field, sensation and perception, motor system, simple neural
circuitry, neuroendocrine nad higher level cognitive
processes.
Co: 2025 for 2035; 2026 for 2036.
(3L,1C)
2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
2994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
3044: CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
Fundamental principles of cellular and molecular
neuroscience. Methods to study neurochemisty 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, CHEM 1036.
(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)
3144: MECHANISMS OF LEARNING AND MEMORY
Foundation of social interactions in human and non-human:
ability to learn adn memorize locations, situations,
individuals, facts and tasks forms. Cellular and
molecular mechanism underlying learning and
memory and model systems. Approaches to these
processes along with diseases presenting with learning
and memory deficits in humans.
Pre: 2026.
(3H,3C)
3464: NEUROSCIENCE AND SOCIETY
Ethical, legal, and social issues faced by human societies
from the perspective of neuroscience. Broader questions
about ethical and social constructs including consciousness,
personhood, cognitive enhancement, free will, and death.
Research in neuroscience to issues in medicine, research,
law, criminology, public health, and the arts. Junior
Standing.
(3H,3C)
3554: 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 phychological functions, and
the latest applications and technologies for translating
neuroscience into more effective interventions and
treatments. Practical experience includes literature review
research and writing, data analysis and interpretation,
written and oral presentation, and site-specific training.
Pre: 2026.
(3H,3C)
4034: DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Common brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders
ranging from trauma to autism. Genetic, molecules and
cellular changes in disease. Therapeutic implications and
development of novel drugs. Challenges in drug discovery
and implementation of personalized medicine. Ethical issues
regarding genetic findings.
Pre: 2026.
(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)
4084: DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
Concepts in developmental 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 (ECON 4454) (PSYC 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)
4544: SYNAPTIC STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Synapse morphology and function, central versus peripheral
synapses, site of action of many therapeutic drugs and
substances of abuse, synaptic pruning and failure. Changes
in synaptic structure and function during development and in
diseases.
Pre: 2026.
(3H,3C)
4594: CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE IN PRACTICE
Clinical approaches to surgically treat stroke, trauma,
spinal cord injuries and brain tumors. Expected outcomes
and therapeutic limitations. Surgical procedures in
operating rooms. Patient follow-up and outcomes. Medical
emergencies and appropriate professional responses. Ethical
issues regarding health care, disparity, life and death
decisions. Medical profession exploration. Neuroscience
majors, junior standing.
Pre: 2026.
(3H,3C)
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.