This page is to be used as a planning tool. Your degree audit is the official record of degree requirements. Updated August 2023.

Starting with General Chemistry and Pre-Calculus

Pre-Med Sample Plan 1a

Pre-Med Sample Plan 1b

Starting with Principles of Chemistry I and Calculus

Pre-Med Sample Plan 2

Neuroscience BS Requirements

Interdisciplinary major offered by the Department of Biology and the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, in cooperation with the Iowa Neuroscience Institute.

Biology – all of these
BIOL:1411 Foundations of Biology
BIOL:3253 Neurobiology I (fall only)
BIOL:3254 Neurobiology II (spring only)
Chemistry – both of these
CHEM:1110  Principles of Chemistry I
CHEM:1120  Principles of Chemistry II
Biochemistry – Choose one-course or two-course sequence
BMB:3110 Biochemistry or
BMB:3120 Biochem & Molecular Biology I and BMB:3130 Biochem & Molecular Biology II
Math – Choose one course
MATH:1460 Calculus for Biological Sciences (preferred)
MATH:1550 Engineering Math I
MATH:1850 Calculus I
Physics – Choose one sequence
PHYS:1511 College Physics I and PHYS 1512 College Physics II (preferred)
PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I and PHYS 1612 Introductory Physics II
Psychology – all of these
PSY:2701 Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
PSY:2811 Research Methods and Data Analysis I
PSY:2812 Research Methods and Data Analysis II
PSY:2975 Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience (fall only)
Note:  PSY 1001 Elementary Psychology is not required for the major but is strongly recommended in the first semester to fill the Gen Ed Social Science requirement.  Elementary Psychology may be taken before or with PSY 2701 Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience.
Laboratory – Choose one course
BIOL:3245 Animal Behavior Laboratory
BIOL:3655 Neurogenetics Laboratory
PSY:4025 Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY:4035 Laboratory in Computational Neuroscience
 
Neuroscience Electives – Choose four courses, 12 s.h.
see General Catalog for options

 

The Neuroscience BS provides students with a rigorous and broad background in neuroscience, from the cellular and molecular levels to the behavioral and cognitive levels.  Students earning a degree in neuroscience will be well-prepared to pursue graduate work in neuroscience or related life sciences, to attend medical school, or to enter other health-related programs such as physician's assistant, public health, or nursing.  Graduates also will be prepared to directly enter the workforce in biotechnology industries, academic life science laboratories, science education, and science writing.

This major requires at least 64 sh of coursework for the major.

Students must complete the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences General Education Program.

Students who major in Neuroscience may not earn a major in Biology or Psychology, but may earn a minor in Biology and/or Psychology as long as no more than 3 sh are double-counted.

There is no minor in Neuroscience.

Advising
Up to 29 sh, students advised at Academic Advising Center

At 30 sh, students advised by the departmental Neuroscience major advisor

Director of the Neuroscience major, and Honors advisor

Dr. Jan Wessel
Associate Professor, Psychological & Brain Sciences
376 PBSB
319-335-2482
jan-wessel@uiowa.edu

For more information, please contact:
Anna Gaw
Senior Academic Advisor
anna-gaw@uiowa.edu


Neuroscience BS/Pre-Med Sample Graduation Plans

* Recommended Neuroscience Elective for med school

Plan 1A:  Starting with General Chemistry and Pre-Calculus

Year 1: Fall
PSY 1001 Elementary Psychology
CHEM 1070 General Chemistry
MATH 1440 Math for Biological Sciences
Year 1: Spring
PSY 2701 Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience
CHEM 1110 Principles of Chemistry I
MATH 1460 Calculus for Biological Sciences
Year 2: Fall
CHEM 1120 Principles of Chemistry II
BIOL 1411 Foundations of Biology
PSY 2811 Research Methods I
Year 2: Spring
CHEM 2210 Organic Chemistry I
PSY 2812 Research Methods II
PHYS 1511 College Physics I
Year 2: Summer
PHYS 1512 College Physics II
Year 3: Fall
BMB 3110 Biochemistry
PSY 2975 Intro to Cognitive Neuroscience
CHEM 2220 Organic Chemistry II
Year 3: Spring
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry Lab
BIOL 1412 Diversity of Form & Function*
Neuroscience Elective
Year 4: Fall
BIOL 3253 Neurobiology I
Neuroscience Elective
Neuroscience Elective
Year 4: Spring
BIOL 3254 Neurobiology II
Neuroscience Lab
 

Plan 1B:  Starting with General Chemistry and Pre-Calculus

Year 1: Fall
PSY 1001 Elementary Psychology
CHEM 1070 General Chemistry
MATH 1440 Math for Biological
Year 1: Spring
PSY 2701 Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience
CHEM 1110 Principles of Chemistry I
MATH 1460 Calculus for Biological Sciences
Year 2: Fall
CHEM 1120 Principles of Chemistry II
BIOL 1411 Foundations of Biology    
PSY 2811 Research Methods I
Year 2: Spring
CHEM 2210 Organic Chemistry I
PSY 2812 Research Methods II
PHYS 1511 College Physics I
Year 3: Fall
BMB 3110 Biochemistry
PHYS 1512 College Physics II
CHEM 2220 Organic Chemistry II
Year 3: Spring
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry Lab
BIOL 1412 Diversity of Form & Function*
Neuroscience Elective
Year 4: Fall
BIOL 3253 Neurobiology I      
PSY 2975 Intro to Cognitive Neuroscience
Neuroscience Elective
Year 4: Spring
BIOL 3254 Neurobiology II
Neuroscience Lab
Neuroscience Elective

Plan 2:  Starting with Principles of Chemistry I and Calculus

Year 1: Fall
PSY 2701 Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience  
CHEM 1110 Principles of Chemistry I
MATH 1460 Calculus for Biological Sciences
Year 1: Spring
BIOL 1411 Foundations of Biology
CHEM 1120 Principles of Chemistry II
 
Year 2: Fall
CHEM 2210 Organic Chemistry I
BIOL 1412 Diversity of Form & Function*
PSY 2811 Research Methods I
Year 2: Spring
CHEM 2220 Organic Chemistry II
PSY 2812 Research Methods II
PHYS 1511 College Physics I
Year 3: Fall
BMB 3110 Biochemistry
PHYS 1512 College Physics II
PSY 2975 Intro to Cognitive Neuroscience
Year 3: Spring
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry Lab
Neuroscience Elective
 
Year 4: Fall
BIOL 3253 Neurobiology I
Neuroscience Elective
Neuroscience Elective
Year 4: Spring
BIOL 3254 Neurobiology II
Neuroscience Lab