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 (contact Neuroscience Cane Navigator) 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 (contact Neuroscience Cane Navigator) 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 primary major for students who are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences. Student in other Colleges/Schools are not eligible; if accepted to the program, transfer would be needed.
- 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.
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Students must complete at least half of their credits required for the neuroscience major in residence, including all 300, 400, and 500 level courses.
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Students may take NEU 580/581 as the BIL, NEU, BMB or MIC elective and the BIL, PSY, NEU, BMB or MIC elective, respectively, in the neuroscience major (see curriculum). However, both courses must be taken in sequential semesters and the senior honors thesis approved in order to graduate with honors.
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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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| BIL 150 | General Biology | 4 |
| BIL 160 | Evolution and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIL 151 | General Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIL 161 | Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory | 1 |
| PRISM Biology: | ||
| Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| BIL 250 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIL 255 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIL 268 | Neurobiology | 3 |
| NEU 190 | Faculty Overview of Research and Undergraduate Mentoring (FORUM) | 1 |
| NEU 342 | Neural Mechanisms of Disease | 3 |
| NEU 403 | Neuroscience laboratory | 4 |
| NEU 465 | Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 290 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| PSY 291 | Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics | 3 |
| or PSY 292 | Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B | |
| PSY 390 | Intermediate Research Methods and Biobehavioral Statistics | 3 |
| PSY 425 | Psychobiology | 3 |
| Neuroscience Electives (select one): | 3 | |
| Neurogenetics (Neuroscience Electives (select one):) | ||
| Neural Mechanisms of Psychiatric Disorders | ||
| Developmental Neuroscience. | ||
| Senior Honors in Neuroscience I | ||
| Select one additional BIL, NEU, BMB or MIC elective (2 courses) of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| 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) | ||
| Select one additional BIL, PSY, NEU, BMB or MIC elective (2 courses)of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Ecology | ||
| Techniques in Scanning Electron Microscopy | ||
| 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. | ||
| Senior Honors in Neuroscience II | ||
| 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 and PRISM: | ||
| Principles of Chemistry and Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Introduction to Structure and Dynamics and Chemical Dynamics Laboratory | ||
| Organic Reactions and Synthesis and Chemical Dynamics and Organic Synthesis Laboratory | ||
| Select one of the following PHY sequences: | 10-11 | |
| College Physics: | ||
| College Physics I and Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| College Physics II and Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| 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 Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| University Physics II for PRISM and Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| University Physics for the Sciences: | ||
| University Physics I for the Sciences and Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| University Physics II for the Sciences and Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| or WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| MTH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts & Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People & Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| Minor 2 | 9-15 | |
| Foreign Language in 200 level or above | 3 | |
| Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Requirement (12 credit hours) W | ||
| Neuroscience laboratory (Fufilled through the major) | ||
| Intermediate Research Methods and Biobehavioral Statistics (Fufilled through the major) | ||
| ELECTIVES | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 131 | |
- 1
Note: No courses may double count between the Neuroscience major requirements.
- 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.
- W
Students must complete a total of 12 credits in W designated courses including the required courses, NEU 403 and PSY 390. Students may also count W designated courses taken to fulfill the A&H and/or P&S cognates and/or the minor. Other writing courses that may also count toward the writing requirement are noted with a W in the table above.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit 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 Hours | 15 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHM 121 | Principles of Chemistry | 4 |
| CHM 113 (Lab) | 1 | |
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| NEU 280 | Research Projects I optional-need to join a lab prior to enrolling) | 1-3 |
| A&H Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12-14 | |
| 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 optional-need to join a lab prior to enrolling) | 1-3 |
| A&H Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-17 | |
| 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 Hours | 17 | |
| 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 Hours | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIL 255 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| NEU 342 | Neural Mechanisms of Disease | 3 |
| NEU 580 | Senior Honors in Neuroscience I optional-may substitute the BIL, NEU, BMB or MIC elective) | 3 |
| PSY 425 | Psychobiology | 3 |
| PSY Elective | 3 | |
| P&S Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| NEU Elective | 3 | |
| NEU 403 (W) | 3 | |
| BIL 250 | Genetics | 4 |
| NEU 581 | Senior Honors in Neuroscience II optional-may substitute the BIL, NEU, BMB or MIC elective) | 3 |
| P&S Cognate | 3 | |
| NEU 465 | Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 129-133 | |
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 of the nervous system and general neuroscience concepts.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to design experimental research and conduct statistical analysis in the field of neuroscience.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate experimental design and statistical analysis, orally and in writing.
