Neuroscience, BA
Neuroscience (formerly Biological Basis of Behavior) is an interdisciplinary program in which students explore the relationship between behavior (both human and animal) and its organic bases. The Program offers courses in virtually all areas of neuroscience ranging from cellular neurobiology to cognitive neuropsychology and integrates these basic interdisciplinary courses with basic science requirements in biology, chemistry and psychology. Students also engage in supervised research in areas as diverse as molecular neurobiology, chemical neuroanatomy, visual sciences and behavioral ecology.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 36. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: https://neuroscience.sas.upenn.edu
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 18 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Requirements | ||
| Introductory Chemistry: | ||
| CHEM 1011 | Introduction to General Chemistry I | 1 |
| or CHEM 1012 | General Chemistry I | |
| or CHEM 1151 | Honors Chemistry I | |
| CHEM 1021 | Introduction to General Chemistry II | 1 |
| or CHEM 1022 | General Chemistry II | |
| or CHEM 1161 | Honors Chemistry II | |
| Introductory Biology: | ||
| Select one of the following Options: | 3 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| Introduction to Biology A | ||
| Introduction to Biology B | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life | ||
| Introductory Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Organismal Biology Lab | ||
Select 1 CU of a 2000-level BIOL course: | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
or BIOL 2010 | Cell Biology | |
or BIOL 2311 | Human Physiology | |
or BIOL 3310 | Principles of Human Physiology | |
or BIOL 2210 | Molecular Biology and Genetics | |
or BIOL 2410 | Evolutionary Biology | |
or BIOL 2610 | Ecology: From individuals to ecosystems | |
| Introduction to Brain & Behavior: | ||
| NRSC 1110 | Introduction to Brain and Behavior | 1 |
| Neural Systems and Behavior: | ||
| Select one of the following 2000-level NRSC courses: | 1 | |
| Evolution of Behavior: Animal Behavior | ||
| Visual Neuroscience | ||
| Neuroethology | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Cellular Neuroscience: | ||
| Select one of the following 2000-level NRSC courses: | 1 | |
| Chronobiology and Sleep | ||
| Neuroendocrinology | ||
| Developmental Neurobiology | ||
| Drugs, Brain and Mind | ||
| Neurobiology: | ||
| NRSC 2110 | Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology | 1 |
| or BIOL 2110 | Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology | |
| Statistics: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Statistics for Biologists | ||
| Introductory Business Statistics | ||
| Introductory Statistics | ||
| Additional NRSC Major Elective Courses | 8 | |
| Select 3 course units from the following: 2 | ||
NRSC 0000-4999 | ||
| Select 5 course units from the following: | ||
NRSC 0000-4999 | ||
| Or any course with: Attribute ABBM | ||
| Total Course Units | 36 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
See the NRSC web site for approved courses in areas of specialized study. Students are encouraged to take a research course (NRSC 3999 Independent Research, NRSC 4999 Advanced Independent Research ) or do sponsored research in their junior or senior year.
Honors Option
Applicants are expected to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| One advanced course (4000 level or above) | 1 | |
| NRSC 3999 | Independent Research | 1 |
| NRSC 4999 | Advanced Independent Research | 1 |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| NRSC 1110 | Introduction to Brain and Behavior | 1 |
| BIOL 1101 | Introduction to Biology A | 1.5 |
| Writing Course | 1 | |
| Foreign Language (if necessary) | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.50 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 1102 | Introduction to Biology B | 1.5 |
| MATH 1400 | Calculus, Part I | 1 |
| Sector Requirement | 1 | |
| Foundational Requirement | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.50 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| 2000-level NRSC Elective | 1 | |
| CHEM 1011 | Introduction to General Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 1101 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | .5 |
| PHYS 0101 | General Physics: Mechanics, Heat and Sound | 1.5 |
| Foundational Requirement | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| 2000-level NRSC Elective | 1 | |
| CHEM 1021 | Introduction to General Chemistry II | 1 |
| CHEM 1102 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | .5 |
| PHYS 0102 | General Physics: Electromagnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics | 1.5 |
| Sector Requirement | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NRSC 2110 | Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology | 1 |
| NRSC 3999 | Independent Research | 1 |
| CHEM 2411 | Principles of Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory | 1.5 |
| Statistics Course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.50 | |
| Spring | ||
| NRSC 4999 | Advanced Independent Research | 1 |
| CHEM 2421 | Principles of Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory | 1.5 |
| Sector Requirement | 1 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.50 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| 4000-level NRSC Elective | 1 | |
| Sector Requirement | 1 | |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| NRSC Elective | 1 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 36.00 | |