The concentrations in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience (BCN) and Cell and Molecular Neuroscience (CMN) have identical first year requirements, that are also shared by many other majors (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, and Biomedical Sciences) making it easier for students to switch degree programs after obtaining more knowledge about each area. The second year curriculum is almost identical between the concentrations except students interested in the BCN concentration should take PSY 250, Research Methods in Psychology, whereas students wanting to select the CMN concentration should take the second semester of calculus. Typical curricula for the two concentrations are shown below, with courses only required for BCN shown in green and courses only required for CMN shown in red.
Students who have excelled in their coursework are encouraged to apply to the Colorado State University Honors Program which provides them priority enrollment, special leadership opportunities and access to special discussion-based seminars taught by some of the University’s best scholars. An undergraduate thesis is a requirement of the Honors Program, but this requirement is met by the thesis required for the Neuroscience major.
Students in the Cell and Molecular Neuroscience concentration who have a strong interest in research and are planning to attend graduate school may qualify for the Integrated BS/MS Degree Program (IDP) in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience and Biochemistry. Students who are accepted will earn a BS degree in Neuroscience with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience along with an MS degree in Biochemistry.
FIRST YEAR
CREDITS
NB 192 Introductory Seminar in Neuroscience
1
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I
4
CHEM 112 General Chemistry Laboratory I
1
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II
3
CHEM 114 General Chemistry Laboratory II
1
LIFE 102 Attributes of Living Systems
4
LIFE 201B Introductory Genetics- Molecular/Immunological/Developmental
3
LIFE 203 Introductory Genetics Laboratory
2
MATH 155 Calculus for Biological Scientists I
4
CO 150 College Composition
3
PSY 100 General Psychology
3
Arts and Humanities Elective
3
Total Credits
32
SECOND YEAR
CREDITS
CO300 Writing Arguments OR CO301B Writing in the Disciplines-Sciences
3
CHEM 341 Modern Organic Chemistry I
3
CHEM 343 Modern Organic Chemistry II
3
CHEM 344 Modern Organic Chemistry Laboratory
2
LIFE 210 Introductory Eukaryotic Cell Biology
3
LIFE 212 Introductory Cell Biology Laboratory
2
MATH 255 Calculus for Biological Scientists II
4
PH 121 General Physics I OR PH 141 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
5
PSY 252 Mind, Brain and Behavior
3
PSY 250 Research Methods in Psychology
4
Arts and Humanities Elective
3
Total Credits
31
THIRD YEAR
CREDITS
STAT 301 Introduction to Statistics OR STAT 307 Intro. To Biostatistics
3
BMS 300 Principles of Human Physiology
4
BMS 345 Functional Neuroanatomy
4
Historical Perspectives (AUCC elective)
3
Global and Culture Awareness (AUCC elective)
3
PH 122 Gen. Physics II OR PH 142 Physics -Scientists and Engineers II
5
BC 401 General Biochemistry I
3
BC 403 General Biochemistry II
3
BC 404 General Biochemistry Laboratory
2
BC 351 Principles of Biochemistry
4
PSY 352 Learning and Memory OR PSY 452 Cognitive Psychology
