Neuroscience
Executive Director: H. Sontheimer
Associate Professors: M. A. Cline, S. M. Clinton, E. R. Gilbert, and M. L. Olsen
Assistant Professors: J.M. Bowers, M. Buczynski, S. Campbell, D. English, G. Hodes, T. Jarome, I. Kimbrough, L. Ni, K. Phillips, A. Pickrell, S. Robel, K. Sewall, C. Thompson, and S. Vijayan
Affiliated Faculty: L. Apfel, S. Ball, M. A. Bell, L. Bergamasco, A.S. Bertke, D. Bevan, W. Bickel, R. Blieszner, G. Cao, P. Carlier, A. Cate, J. Chappell, P. Chiu, B. Corl, B. Costa, R. Davalos, S. DeLuca, M. Denbow, N. Dervisis, R. Diana, H. Dorn, Z. Elias, X. Feng, C. Finkielstein, M. Fox, C. Frank, J. Fraser, M. Friedlander, B. Friedman, 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, C. Logan, E. Marvin, T. Milam, R. Montague, I. Moore, A. Morozov, K. Mukherjee, N. Nanthakumar, M. Orr, R. Panneton, B. Patel, J. Phillips, J. Prickett, S. Ramey, K. Roberto, C. Rogers, J. Rossmeisl Jr., W. Santos, A. Scarpa, Z. Sheng, G. Simonds, D. J. Slade, A. Smith, M. Theus, G. Valdez, P. VandeVord, S. Verbridge, E. Weaver, M. Witcher, C. Wyatt, D. Xie, B. Xu, and D. Zallen
Instructors: C. McCoy
Undergraduate Advisor: S. Carl and A. Laib
Overview
The Neuroscience degree draws on faculty and resources from many departments across the campus including but not limited to Animal & Poultry Science, Biological Sciences, 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://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for degree requirements.
Neuroscience Majors
- Neuroscience B.S. Clinical Neuroscience (CNEU)
- Neuroscience B.S. Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBNU)
- Neuroscience B.S. Computational and Systems Neuroscience (CSNU)
- Neuroscience B.S. Experimental Neuroscience (CNEU)
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://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.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 (APSC 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 or BIOL 1005 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 and higher level cognitive processes. Co: 2025 for 2035; 2026 for 2036. (3L,1C)
2464: NEUROSCIENCE AND SOCIETY
Social, ethical, and legal issues faced by human societies from the perspective of neuroscience. Broader questions about how neuroscience informs education, medicine, law, and public health. Research in neuroscience as it relates to issues of mental health, poverty, stress, and politics. (3H,3C)
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 and 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)
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 psychological 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)
3844: COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE AND NEURAL ENGINEERING
Introduction to computational and systems neuroscience. Data analysis and signal processing techniques for neural data. Neural modeling to include mean field models, Hodgkin-Huxley models, integrate and fire models. Neural engineering and brain machine interface (BMI) applications. Pre: 2026, MATH 1226. (3H,3C)
3914: NEUROSCIENCE OF DRUG ADDICTION
History of addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease. Neurocircuitry and molecular basis of the brain affected by common drugs of abuse. Overview of the use, abuse, liability, and psychotherapeutic effects of drugs on humans. Common classes of drug abuse: alcohol, sedatives, tobacco/ nicotine, opiods, cannabinoids, psychostimulants, psychedelics, steroids, anti-anxiety, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Animal models in drug addiction studies. Current and future pharmacotherapeutics for drug addiction treatment and ethical considerations of treatments. Pre: 2025, 2026. (3H,3C)
3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
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, 3044. (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. May be repeated twice with different content for a maximum of 9 credits. Pre: 3044 or 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)
4314: GENETICS IN NEUROSCIENCE
Concepts of classical, modern genetics and epigenetics as it relates to neuroscience. Practical applications including genome-wide association (GWAS), next-generation sequencing, epigenetics, genome editing and screening methods. Use of model organisms in neurogenetic disorders research. Relationship of genetics and its influences on theoretical and practical issues in neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. Personalized medicine in neurodevelopmental and neurogenetic disorders. Pre: 3044. (3H,3C)
4364: NEUROSCIENCE OF LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
Concepts of language as distinctive human behavior and central to social life. Neural underpinnings of humans’ ability to speak and understand language. Neurologic processing of language comprehension and production in healthy and language-impaired individuals. Auditory and visual word recognition, reading, understanding speech, representation of word meaning, language production, and bilingualism. Neuroethology of communication and neurological disorders of communication: dyslexia, stuttering, and aphasia. Theoretical issues in language processing and converging evidence from different techniques and animal models addressing these issues. Pre: 2026. (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)
4514: NEUROIMMUNOLOGY
Immune system and assorted roles in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Details of cell type, functions and signaling of the peripheral and central immune system, and sympathetic nervous system. Cross-talk between the brain and immune system across the blood brain barrier and circumventricular organs. Treatment options for autoimmune diseases and psychopathy. Pre: 3044. (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 diagnose and treat neurological disorders. Diseases include stroke, trauma, brain tumors, psychiatric illnesses, and epilepsy. Clinical experience includes diagnostic procedures, radiological techniques, and surgical procedures in operating room. Patient rounding, follow-up, and outcomes. Medical emergencies and appropriate professional responses. Ethical issues regarding health care, disparity, life and death decisions. Medical profession exploration. Pre: 4034. (3H,3C)
4814: NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
Concepts in nutritional aspects of neuroscience. Energy metabolism in central nervous system and brain regulating ingestive behavior. Communication with peripheral organs, regulation of whole body energy homeostasis, brain physiology and pathology on molecular and cellular level. Role of appetite neurocircuitry in formulation of practical solutions to societal problems such as nutrition, eating disorders, and obesity. Pre: 3044. (3H,3C)
4964: FIELD WORK
Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
4994H: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.