The department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, in collaboration with the department of Biology, offers a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience major. This interdisciplinary major provides students with the fundamental scientific concepts, theoretical frameworks, and quantitative and laboratory skills to study the nervous system and to embark on a wide spectrum of academic and professional careers.
Students in the Neuroscience major complete a rigorous set of science courses and conduct research in in laboratory classes and through independent studies with members of the Neuroscience and Behavior (NSB) program at UMass. The NSB graduate program is an interdepartmental academic unit that brings together faculty members from various departments to provide cutting-edge research training for students in this major.
Neuroscience Major Requirements downloadable Neuroscience Major Checklist
Science Core Courses (37 credits)
- Biology 151, 152, & 153: Introductory Biology (9)
- Biology 285, Biochem 285 or AnimlSci 285: Cellular & Molecular Biology (3)
- Chem 111/112 or 121/122: General Chemistry (8)
- Chem 261, 262, & 269: Organic Chemistry (9)
- Physics 131/132 or 151/152: Introductory Physics (8)
Computational Courses (10-12 credits)
- Introductory Statistics (Psych 240 or Stat 240) (4)
- Two additional computational courses from the following:
- Math 127: Calculus for the Life & Social Sci I (3) or Math 131: Calculus I (4)
- Math 128: Calculus for the Life & Social Sci II (3) or Math 132: Calculus II (4)
- CICS 110: Foundations of Programming (4)
- Psych 340: Intermediate Statistics in Psychology (3)
Neuroscience Core Courses (14 credits)
- Psych 330: Introduction to Neuroscience OR Bio 372: Introductory Neurobiology (3)
- Psych 314: Cognitive Neuroscience (3)
- Biology 572: Advanced Neurobiology (3, partial IE)
- Psych 337: Writing in Psychological and Brain Sciences (primary majors only, 4)
- Psych 494NI: Professional Development in Neuroscience (1, partial IE, primary majors only)
Neuroscience Laboratory Course: one of the following (2-3 credits)
- Psych 430: Laboratory in Neuroscience (3)
- Psych 411: Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience (3)
- Biology 388: Neurobiology and Physiology Lab (2)
- Psych 496A, Bio 396 or 496: Graded independent study in a Neuroscience lab (3)
- Psych 499T or Biology 499T: Honors Thesis in a Neuroscience lab (3)
Neuroscience Elective Courses: three of the following (at least 9 credits)
- Psych 241: Methods of Inquiry in Psychology (4)
- Psych 310: Sensation & Perception (3)
- Psych 316: Memory & Learning (3)
- Psych 317: Thinking, Judgment, & Decision Making (3)
- Psych 318: Psychology of Language (3)
- Psych 319: Attention & Cognitive Control (3)
- Psych 335: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (3)
- Psych 391/591: Neuroscience-related seminar (3)
- Psych 433: Computational Neuroscience (3)
- Psych 535: Drugs and Behavior (3)
- Psych 587: Clinical Neuropsychology (formerly Psych 530, 3)
- Biology 550: Animal Behavior (4)
- Biology 552: Neural Basis of Animal Behavior (3)
- Biology 579: Developmental Neurobiology (3)
- Three elective credits can be obtained through independent study or thesis (300+ level, graded PSYCH 496A or BIO 296, 396, 496) in a Neuroscience Lab or through an approved Internship. An independent study/thesis can be used for either the elective requirement or the lab requirement, but not both.
Recommended SB GenEd: Psych 100 (required for some Neuroscience electives in Psychology)
BS-Psychology Neuroscience Track
Prior to Fall 2025, PBS offered a Neuroscience Track within the BS-Psychology degree. Students already enrolled in the Neuroscience Track have the option to either remain in that degree program or change to the BS-Neuroscience major. With the introduction of the Neuroscience major, students can no longer declare the BS-Psychology Neuroscience track.