Neuroscience Major

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Neuroscience Major at the University of San Francisco trains students to apply a foundational knowledge of neuroscience to promote social justice, advocate for societal attitudes that embrace neurodiversity and ensure neurological and mental health equity. Students will be equipped to utilize their skills in a wide variety of career trajectories, from healthcare, technology, and public policy to graduate programs in neuroscience.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Discuss the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical approaches in Neuroscience
Investigate basic problems in neuroscience by applying empirical methods, including designing and implementing research protocols and critically evaluating and interpreting data
Examine neuroscientific content in the broader context of the whole person as an individual and member of society
Evaluate the complexity of sociocultural, neurodevelopmental, and neurological diversity, especially as it pertains to mental health and the conditions under which all humans can thrive.
Synthesize and communicate neuroscientific information effectively in a variety of formats

Major Requirements (61 units)

Required Foundational Courses (25 units)

NEUR 100 - Preparing for NeuroSuccess
NEUR 101 - Intro to Neuroscience I
and
NEUR 101L - Intro to Neuroscience I Lab
NEUR 102 - Intro to Neuroscience II
and
NEUR 102L - Intro to Neuroscience II Lab
NEUR 103 - Neurodiversity, Equity& Ethics
NEUR 2XX - Data Analysis and Research Design for the Neurosciences I: From Bench to Brain Imaging
NEUR 2XX - Data Analysis and Research Design for the Neurosciences II: In the Field and Beyond

Additional Foundational Course (4 units)

Students choose one additional foundation course from the following.

Breadth Courses (8 units)

NEUR 3XX - Cognitive Neuroscience
NEUR 3XX - Social and Affective Neuroscience
NEUR 3XX - Behavioral Neuroscience
NEUR 3XX - Computational Neuroscience
NEUR 3XX - Neuroscience-informed User Design
NEUR 3XX - Biological Neuroscience: Molecular, Pharmacological and Motor Systems

Community Engaged Learning Requirement (4 units, 100 hours)

NEUR 4XX - Neuroscience Practicum: Industry
NEUR 4XX - Neuroscience Practicum: Research
NEUR 4XX - Neuroscience Practicum: Public Policy, Legal or Ethical Issues

Electives (16 units)

Students choose from the following elective courses.

BSDS 100 - Intro to Data Science
CS 107 - Creative Coding and AI
CS 110 - Intro to Computer Science
CS 283 - UX-Design for Non-Majors
ENGR 102 - Exploring Engineering Practice
MATH 110 - Calculus & Analytic Geom II
PHIL 204 - Philosophy of Science
PHIL 230 - Philosophy of Human Person
PSYC 319 - Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 326 - Learning and Memory
PSYC 351 - Human Neuropsychology
Additional Neuroscience Breadth courses may count as electives once the breadth requirement has been
met.

Capstone Requirement (4 units)

NEUR 4XX - Advanced Topics in Neuroscience
NEUR 4XX - Advanced Project in Neuroscience

Degree Planner

Research

First-Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 101 - Intro to Neuroscience I	4
Core - B1: MATH 109 - Calculus & Analytic Geom I (prerequisite: MATH 108 - Precalculus or placement test)	4
Written Communication I (prerequisite for Written Communication II)	4
Core - B2: BIOL 105 - Gen Biology - Molec of Life	4
NEUR 100 - Preparing for NeuroSuccess	1
Total Semester Units	17
Spring	Units
NEUR 102 - Intro to Neuroscience II	4
Cultural Diversity (CD): NEUR 103 - Neurodiversity, Equity& Ethics	4
Core - A2: Written Communication II	4
Core - D2: Theology and Religious Studies	4
Total Semester Units	16

Sophomore Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 201- Data Analysis and Research Design for the Neurosciences I	4
CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 112 - Laboratory	1
Language - Course 1	4
Core - A1: RHET 103 - Public Speaking	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
NEUR 202 - Data Analysis and Research Design for the Neurosciences II	4
Core - E: PSYC 101 - General Psychology	4
Language - Course 2	4
Core - C2: History	4
Total Semester Units	16

Junior Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 302 - Cognitive Neuroscience	4
BSDS 100 - Intro to Data Science	4
Core - D1: PHIL 204 - Philosophy of Science	4
Core - C1: Literature	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
NEUR 3XX - Biological Neuroscience: Molecular, Pharmacological and Motor Systems	4
NEUR 3XX - Social and Affective Neuroscience	4
Core - D3: Ethics	4
Electives	4
Total Semester Units	16

Senior Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 4XX - Advanced Topics in Neuroscience (Capstone)	4
PSYC 351 - Human Neuropsychology	4
NEUR 5XX - Honors in Neuroscience I: Proposal Development	4
Total Semester Units	12
Spring	Units
NEUR 5XX - Honors in Neuroscience II: Data Analysis and Scientific Report	4
Core - F: Visual & Performing Arts	4
Community - Engaged Learning (CEL): NEUR 4XX - Neuroscience Practicum	4
Total Semester Units	12

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information.

Technology

First-Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 101 - Intro to Neuroscience I	4
Core - B1: BSDS 100 - Intro to Data Science	4
Written Communication I (prerequisite for Written Communication II)	4
CS 107 - Creative Coding and AI (prerequisite for CS 110 - Intro to Computer Science )	4
NEUR 100 - Preparing for NeuroSuccess	1
Total Semester Units	17
Spring	Units
NEUR 102 - Intro to Neuroscience II	4
Cultural Diversity (CD): NEUR 103 - Neurodiversity, Equity& Ethics	4
Core - A2: Written Communication II	4
Core - A1: RHET 103 - Public Speaking	4
Total Semester Units	16

Sophomore Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 201- Data Analysis and Research Design for the Neurosciences I	4
CS 110 - Intro to Computer Science	4
Language - Course 1	4
Core - C2: History	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
NEUR 202 - Data Analysis and Research Design for the Neurosciences II	4
Core B2: BIOL 115 - Human Physiology and BIOL 116 - Human Physiology Lab or BIOL 105 - Gen Biology - Molec of Life	4
Language - Course 2	4
Core - D3: PHIL 248 - Ethics of Technology	4
Total Semester Units	16

Junior Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 3XX - Computational Neuroscience	4
Core - D1: PHIL 204 - Philosophy of Science	4
Core - F: Visual & Performing Arts	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
NEUR 3XX - Neuroscience-informed User Design	4
Core - E: Social Sciences	4
Core - C1: Literature	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	16

Senior Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 4XX - Advanced Topics in Neuroscience (Capstone)	4
Core - D2: Theology and Religious Studies	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	12
Spring	Units
Community - Engaged Learning (CEL): NEUR 4XX - Neuroscience Practicum	4
Elective	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	12

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information.

Ethics and Policy

First-Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 101 - Intro to Neuroscience I	4
Core - B1: CS 107 - Creative Coding and AI	4
Written Communication I (prerequisite for Written Communication II)	4
Core - E: PSYC 101 - General Psychology	4
NEUR 100 - Preparing for NeuroSuccess	1
Total Semester Units	17
Spring	Units
NEUR 102 - Intro to Neuroscience II	4
Cultural Diversity (CD): NEUR 103 - Neurodiversity, Equity& Ethics	4
Core - A2: Written Communication II	4
Core - A1: RHET 103 - Public Speaking	4
Total Semester Units	16

Sophomore Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 201- Data Analysis and Research Design for the Neurosciences I	4
PHIL 251 - Mind, Freedom & Knowledge	4
Language - Course 1	4
Core - C1: Literature	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
NEUR 202 - Data Analysis and Research Design for the Neurosciences II	4
Core - B2: BIOL 115 - Human Physiology & BIOL 116 - Human Physiology Lab or BIOL 105 - Gen Biology - Molec of Life	4
Language - Course 2	4
Core - D2: Theology and Religious Studies	4
Total Semester Units	16

Junior Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 3XX - Social and Affective Neuroscience	4
PSYC 326 - Learning and Memory	4
Core - C2: History	4
Core - D3: Ethics	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
NEUR 3XX - Cognitive Neuroscience	4
Core - D1: PHIL 204 - Philosophy of Science	4
Elective	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	16

Senior Year

Fall	Units
NEUR 4XX - Advanced Topics in Neuroscience (Capstone)	4
PSYC 319 - Cognitive Psychology	4
Core - F: Visual & Performing Arts	4
Total Semester Units	12
Spring	Units
Community - Engaged Learning (CEL): NEUR 4XX - Neuroscience Practicum	4
Elective	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	12

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information.