Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

Wayne State University's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Neuroscience program gives you the core fundamentals of the basic sciences while exposing you to the holistic structure of neuroscience. This format allows you to understand how the nervous system functions from a wide range of perspectives.

As a neuroscience major, you discover how the brain produces thought, emotion and behavior on the levels of systems, cells and molecules. You become multifaceted, learning how to tackle challenges through critical thinking, collaboration and hands-on learning to ensure your academic success.

Why Wayne State's neuroscience major?

• Courses offered every term to perform academic research in neuroscience under the mentorship of a faculty member
• You develop the groundwork for immediate employment or graduate study through an interdisciplinary education
• Offered jointly through the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Psychology, giving you the opportunity to learn and access support across several fields of study

Learning objectives

The Bachelor of Neuroscience equips you to:

• Establish a solid background in the fundamental basic sciences and exposure to the integrative nature of neuroscience
• Analyze the components of the brain along with its neural processes
• Understand nervous system function from an array of perspectives
• Develop a strong foundation in basic science and applied neuroscience to remain competitive for postgraduate study or employment in the fields of education, health, government or industry

Neuroscience bachelor's degree curriculum and courses

An interdisciplinary education is critical to success in the evolving world of neuroscience. Our courses span a wide range of biology, chemistry, physics and psychology courses to meet this need.

As a neuroscience major, you must complete university general education requirements along with your major requirements. The requirements for the major are divided into the following three categories:

• Basic science courses (46-47 credits)
  • Biology, biochemistry, chemistry, math, social/behavioral sciences, physics and statistics
• Neuroscience core courses (6 credits)
  • Human physiology and systems neuroscience
• Electives (18 credits)
  • Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, cellular and molecular neuroscience or directed study

Explore the neuroscience degree program requirements or a sample neuroscience degree completion path.

Minors for neuroscience majors

Adding a minor to your neuroscience major is an important part of your undergraduate education. Selecting a minor allows you to deepen your understanding of a particular area of study closely related to neuroscience. View a list of several relevant minors:

• Biochemistry and Chemical Biology
• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Physics
• Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Nutrition and Food Science
• Psychology
• Public Health

When selecting your minor, remember that it must include at least three courses unique to the minor, meaning they must not double-count with your neuroscience major requirements.

View minors that pair well with the neuroscience major.

Neuroscience research opportunities

Research is an integral component of the neuroscience degree. To ensure that you hone your critical thinking and science communication skills, the program provides the following courses:

• NEU 4050: Science Advocacy and Public Engagement
• NEU 4200: Neurobiology of Addiction
• NEU 4991-4995: Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience
  • This includes laboratory or academic research performed directly under the mentorship of a faculty member.
• NEU 5470 and NEU 6470:Preclinical and Clinical Assessments of Neurologic Disease I & II

Explore research opportunities

B.S. in neuroscience career outlook

Whether you're interested in immediate employment after graduation or graduate school, this field offers highly transferable skills across life sciences, health-related fields and public-facing roles in industry and sales. Explore a list of careers and fields you can enter with a bachelor's degree in neuroscience:

• Clinical research assistant
• Forensic science technician
• Health educator
• Lab animal care technician
• Laboratory technician
• Marketing
• Natural sciences manager
• Nonprofit work
• Public policy
• Science writer

A neuroscience degree also provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in the following fields:

• Academics and research: Ph.D.
• Medicine: M.D. or D.O.
• Nursing: MSN, DNP, Ph.D.
• Veterinary medicine: DVM
• Law: J.D.
• Physical or occupational therapy: MPT, DPT, MOT, OTD

Learn more about what you can do with a neuroscience degree.

Tuition and financial aid

Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is dedicated to equipping students with high-quality education at affordable rates. To support this mission, we offer several scholarships and financial aid to students who have declared a major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Use our net price calculator to estimate your neuroscience degree tuition and financial aid savings.

Learn more about Wayne State University's Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

The Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at WSU provides you with the opportunities to explore your interests at the intersection of human behavior, psychology, biology and medicine. Through this interdisciplinary, hands-on program, you are prepared to enter the workforce after your undergraduate degree or graduate school.