https://neuroscience.as.miami.edu/

Overview

  • Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in any course that is to count toward the neuroscience major.
  • Students may repeat no more than two courses for the neuroscience major in which they received a D or an F. 
  • New freshmen and current students must have a minimum 1360 SAT, 30 ACT, or 3.5 combined, UM, and neuroscience GPA after 24 completed credit hours at UM to declare the neuroscience major.  Note: At least 7 of these 24 credit hours must be in the BIL, CHM, or MTH courses required of the major and/or the degree.
  • New internal transfer students will be added to the NEU waitlist if they have a minimum 3.5 GPA and have completed at least five credit hours in the required BIL or CHM courses for the major. 
  • Students are strongly advised not to continue with the neuroscience major if they have less than a 2.8 neuroscience GPA after 15 completed credit hours in the neuroscience major.
  • Students must earn a minimum 2.6 neuroscience GPA and a minimum of 130 credits to graduate with the neuroscience major.

Notes

  • There are limited seats in the neuroscience major so students may be required to join a waitlist before they are able to declare.
  • Neuroscience majors are required to complete 130 total credit hours to complete their B.S. degree.
  • The neuroscience major can only be declared as a first major for students who are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • AP Credit for Statistics (i.e., PSY 292) cannot count toward the neuroscience major.
  • Students who declare the neuroscience major after they transfer credit for PSY 292 or complete PSY 292 at UM can use PSY 292 as a substitute for PSY 291.
  • Students must complete at least half of their credits required for the neuroscience major in residence, including all 300, 400, and 500 level courses.

  • Only 6 NEU credit hours at the 300, 400, and 500 level may be taken through a UM Study Abroad Program with prior written approval.

Curriculum Requirements

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Core Courses
BIL 150General Biology4
BIL 160Evolution and Biodiversity4
BIL 151General Biology Laboratory1
BIL 161Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory1
BIL 250Genetics3
BIL 255Cellular and Molecular Biology3
BIL 268Neurobiology3
NEU 190Faculty Overview of Research and Undergraduate Mentoring (FORUM)1
NEU 342Neural Mechanisms of Disease3
NEU 403Neuroscience laboratory4
NEU 465Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience3
Select one of the following:3
Neurogenetics
Neural Mechanisms of Psychiatric Disorders
Developmental Neuroscience.
PSY 110Introduction to Psychology3
PSY 290Introduction to Research Methods3
PSY 291Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics3
or PSY 292 Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B
PSY 390Intermediate Research Methods and Biobehavioral Statistics3
PSY 425Psychobiology3
Select one additional BIL, NEU, BMB or MIC elective of the following: 13
Ecology
Comparative Physiology
Endocrinology
Animal Behavior
Developmental Biology
Advanced Biostatistics
Evolution
Evolution and development of Nervous Systems
Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences
Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System
and Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab)
Neurogenetics
Neural Mechanisms of Psychiatric Disorders
Developmental Neuroscience.
Select one additional BIL, PSY, NEU, BMB or MIC elective of the following: 13
Ecology
Comparative Physiology
Endocrinology
Animal Behavior
Developmental Biology
Advanced Biostatistics
Evolution
Evolution and development of Nervous Systems
Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences
Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System
and Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab)
Neurogenetics
Neural Mechanisms of Psychiatric Disorders
Developmental Neuroscience.
Psychopathology
Psychology of Drugs and Behavior
Child Psychopathology
Tests and Measurements
Health Psychology
Advanced Biobehavioral Statistics
Auxiliary Courses
CHM sequences:16
Chemistry for the Biosciences:
Principles of Chemistry
and Chemistry Laboratory I
Introduction to Structure and Dynamics
and Chemical Dynamics Laboratory
Organic Reactions and Synthesis
and Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory
Select one of the following PHY sequences:10-11
College Physics:
College Physics I
and College Physics Laboratory I
College Physics II
and College Physics Laboratory II
University Physics:
University Physics I
University Physics II
and University Physics II Lab
University Physics III
and University Physics III Lab
PRISM Physics:
University Physics I for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory I
University Physics II for PRISM
and College Physics Laboratory II
University Physics for the Sciences:
University Physics I for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory I
University Physics II for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory II
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 106First-Year Writing II3
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
or WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 161Calculus I4
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts & Humanities Cognate9
People & Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
ADDITIONAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Mathematics:
MTH 162Calculus II4
Minor 29-15
Foreign Language in 200 level or above3
Electives6
Total Credit Hours130
1

Note: NEU courses cannot double count for a BIL elective and another required course within the neuroscience major.

2

All neuroscience majors must complete a minor in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geological Sciences, Marine Science, Mathematics, Microbiology and Immunology, or Physics.

Neuroscience majors may not earn majors or minors in Biology or Psychology. 

Suggested Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 (Lab) 1
Foreign Language 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
NEU 190 Faculty Overview of Research and Undergraduate Mentoring (FORUM) 1
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity 4
BIL 161 (Lab) 1
Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 (Lab) 1
PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology 3
NEU 280 Research Projects I 3
A&H Cognate 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
CHM 221 Introduction to Structure and Dynamics 4
CHM 205 Chemical Dynamics Laboratory 1
PSY 290 Introduction to Research Methods 3
PSY 291 Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics 3
NEU 380 Research Projects II 3
A&H Cognate 3
 Credit Hours17
Third Year
Fall
CHM 222 Organic Reactions and Synthesis 4
CHM 206 Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory 2
PHY 101 College Physics I 4
PHY 106 (Lab) 1
PSY 390 (W) 3
A&H Cognate 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
BIL Elective 3
PHY 102 College Physics II 4
PHY 108 (Lab) 1
BIL 268 Neurobiology 3
P&S Cognate 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours17
Fourth Year
Fall
BIL 255 Cellular and Molecular Biology 3
NEU 342 Neural Mechanisms of Disease 3
NEU 580 Senior Honors in Neuroscience I 3
PSY 425 Psychobiology 3
PSY Elective 3
P&S Cognate 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring
NEU Elective 3
NEU 403 (W) 3
BIL 250 Genetics 3
NEU 581 Senior Honors in Neuroscience II 3
P&S Cognate 3
NEU 465 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience 3
 Credit Hours18
 Total Credit Hours132

Mission

In accordance with the goals of the University of Miami, the mission of the interdisciplinary undergraduate neuroscience major is to foster the acquisition of knowledge and skills utilized by the neural and bio-behavioral sciences. In order to achieve these goals, the Neuroscience Program seeks a balance among several academic endeavors, including basic scientific research, applied research, undergraduate teaching, graduate teaching, professional training and development, and service to the community. 

In pursuing these activities, the major seeks to attract and retain the highest quality faculty and students, foster respect for differences among people, nurture curiosity, and insist upon high standards of thought, study, and communication that should characterize the ethical, educated person.

Goals

The major seeks to provide undergraduate students with exposure to and a fundamental understanding of the neural and bio-behavioral sciences. It seeks to deliver an integrative educational experience by promoting interactions among faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students in basic scientific inquiry, advising, mentoring, and community outreach.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will develop a fundamental knowledge base in neuroscience as a scientific discipline.
  • Students will develop research and quantitative skills through core coursework and/or supervised laboratory experiences.
  • Students will develop oral and written communication skills related to the science of neuroscience.