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 YEARCREDITS
NB 192 Introductory Seminar in Neuroscience1
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I4
CHEM 112 General Chemistry Laboratory I1
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II3
CHEM 114 General Chemistry Laboratory II1
LIFE 102 Attributes of Living Systems4
LIFE 201B Introductory Genetics- Molecular/Immunological/Developmental3
LIFE 203 Introductory Genetics Laboratory2
MATH 155 Calculus for Biological Scientists I4
CO 150 College Composition3
PSY 100 General Psychology3
Arts and Humanities Elective3
Total Credits32
SECOND YEARCREDITS
CO300 Writing Arguments OR CO301B Writing in the Disciplines-Sciences3
CHEM 341 Modern Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 343 Modern Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 344 Modern Organic Chemistry Laboratory2
LIFE 210 Introductory Eukaryotic Cell Biology3
LIFE 212 Introductory Cell Biology Laboratory2
MATH 255 Calculus for Biological Scientists II4
PH 121 General Physics I OR PH 141 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I5
PSY 252 Mind, Brain and Behavior3
PSY 250 Research Methods in Psychology4
Arts and Humanities Elective3
Total Credits31
THIRD YEARCREDITS
STAT 301 Introduction to Statistics OR STAT 307 Intro. To Biostatistics3
BMS 300 Principles of Human Physiology4
BMS 345 Functional Neuroanatomy4
Historical Perspectives (AUCC elective)3
Global and Culture Awareness (AUCC elective)3
PH 122 Gen. Physics II OR PH 142 Physics -Scientists and Engineers II5
BC 401 General Biochemistry I3
BC 403 General Biochemistry II3
BC 404 General Biochemistry Laboratory2
BC 351 Principles of Biochemistry4
PSY 352 Learning and Memory OR PSY 452 Cognitive Psychology3
PSY 458 Cognitive Neuroscience3
PSY 459 Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory2
Total Credits2930
FOURTH YEARCREDITS
BMS 325 Cellular Neurobiology3
NB 399 Thesis Preparation1
NB 493 Senior Seminar1
NB 499 Thesis3
BC 465 Molecular Regulation of Cell Function3
MIP 300 General Microbiology3
MIP 342 Immunology4
Electives9
PSY 454 Biological Psychology3
PSY 455 Biological Psychology Laboratory2
PSY 456 Sensation and Perception3
PSY 457 Sensation and Perception Laboratory2
Electives10
Total Credits2728