Biology, Neuroscience Concentration, B.S.

Concentration Coordinator: George Vidal
E-mail: vidalgx@jmu.edu

Degree and Major Requirements

Concentration in Neuroscience

The biology department offers a concentration within the biology major for students with interests in cell and molecular, systems, and behavioral aspects of the nervous system and its functionality. Students choosing a concentration in neuroscience must meet all of the requirements for the biology major in addition to the following requirements. Courses for this concentration can also satisfy biology major requirements.

Required Courses

Choose one: 3 Credit Hours

BIO 301. Introductory Neuroscience Credits: 3.00
BIO 385. Biopsychology Credits: 3.00
or
PSYC 385. Biopsychology Credits: 3.00

Choose one: 3-4 Credit Hours

BIO 415. Neuroanatomy and Neurogenic Communication Disorders Credits: 3.00
or
CSD 415. Neuroanatomy and Neurogenic Communication Disorders Credits: 3.00
BIO 445. Neurobiology Credits: 4.00 ¹

Neuroscience Concentration Electives: 9 Credit Hours

One (or more) of these must be principally a neurobiology course (BIO 375/PSYC 375, BIO 415/CSD 415, BIO 443, BIO 445, BIO 446 or BIO 448, BIO 448L, BIO 478).

BIO 316. Animal Development Credits: 3.00 with optional laboratory ¹
BIO 375. Sensation and Perception Credits: 3.00
or
PSYC 375. Sensation and Perception Credits: 3.00
BIO 415. Neuroanatomy and Neurogenic Communication Disorders Credits: 3.00 ²
or
CSD 415. Neuroanatomy and Neurogenic Communication Disorders Credits: 3.00 ²
BIO 443. Understanding Techniques in Neuroscience Credits: 3.00
BIO 445. Neurobiology Credits: 4.00 ^1,2
BIO 446. Experimental Neurobiology Credits: 4.00 ¹
BIO 448. Developmental Neurobiology Credits: 3.00
BIO 448L. Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory Credits: 1.00 1
BIO 478. Aging and Neurodegeneration Credits: 3.00
BIO 480. Advanced Molecular Biology Credits: 3.00
BIO 480L. Advanced Molecular Biology Lab Credits: 1.00 ¹
BIO 481. Genomics Credits: 4.00 ¹
BIO 482. Human Histology Credits: 4.00 ¹

Total: 15-16 Credit Hours

Footnotes

¹ Meets one of the biology major requirements for a laboratory/field course.

² BIO 445 and BIO 415 /CSD 415 : The course not taken as part of required neuroscience concentration core may be used to fulfill elective requirements.

Additional Information

Students should choose additional BIO courses at the 300-400 level, including a course that fulfills the organismal diversity major requirement, and are strongly encouraged to discuss their career interests with an adviser who can help select courses best suited to their needs. With prior approval from the concentration coordinator, BIO 426 and/or BIO 427 may be substituted. It is recommended that students participate in independent research (BIO 497 /BIO 499A /BIO 499B /BIO 499C ) with a faculty mentor.