Concentration: Neuroscience
background
Neuroscience is one of the most exciting fields within biology
today. The basis of neurological disease, molecular mechanisms
of brain function and behavior are major foci of research in medicine,
biotech companies, and academic environments. These fields are
of great potential for standard research approaches, as well as
in pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications to address
problems of brain disease and brain function.
requirements for the Neuroscience Concentration
(18 CU)
The Concentration in Neuroscience within the Biology Department
will provide you with fundamental training in brain function
and
behavior, coupled with a molecular genetic background essential
to address molecular mechanisms of brain function at the gene
and protein levels.
Concentration in Neuroscience will be noted on the student’s
transcript. Students with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher
who complete an honors thesis will receive Honors in the major.
Note that a Biology major who begins a Neuroscience Concentration
but does
not complete
it,
must fulfill the requirements for the Biology major, including
three or four appropriately distributed 200-level Biology courses.
Here are the core requirements (13 CU) (a):
|
|
Track 1: BIOL 121
and BIOL 230
|
2.5
cu
|
Introduction to Biology- The Molecular Biology
of Life and Evolution
|
|
or |
or |
or |
|
Track 2: BIOL
101 and 102 (or BIOL 121 and 122)
(see Note below) |
3.0 |
Introduction to Biology
- A and B |
|
Biology
|
221
|
1.0
|
Molecular Biology and Genetics
|
|
|
251
|
1.5
|
Cellular Neurobiology
|
|
|
436 or
442 or
451 |
1.0
|
Molecular Physiology or
Neurobiology of Learning
and Memory or
Systems Neuroscience |
|
Chemistry
|
001 or 101 and 102
053 and 054 or
241, 242, and
245
|
3.0
|
Introduction to Chemistry or
Organic Chemistry |
|
Math
|
104
114 or 115
STAT 102 or 111 or
BIOL 446
|
2.0
|
Calculus and/or statistics
|
|
Physics
|
102and 12 or
151 and 51
|
1.5
|
Introductory Physics
|
|
Note: Class of 2009 or earlier may use BIOL
091 (1.0 cu) and either BIOL 121 or 122 (1.5 cu) to satisfy requirement
for one year of introductory biology.
From the elective requirements (3 CU), select two cellular,
molecular and developmental neuroscience courses from the list
below (a) :
|
|
|
|
Cell Biology and Biochemistry
|
|
|
354
|
1.0
|
Developmental Biology
|
|
402 |
1.0 |
Biochemistry |
|
|
421
|
1.0
|
Molecular Genetics
|
|
|
425
|
1.0
|
Molecular Biology and Genetics Superlab
|
|
|
480
|
1.0
|
Advanced Cell Biology
|
|
|
488
|
1.0
|
Advanced Topics in Behavioral Genetics
|
|
BIBB
|
269
|
1.0
|
Chemistry of the Brain
|
| |
350 |
1.0 |
Developmental
Neurobiology |
| |
370 |
1.0 |
Drugs,
Brain, and Mind |
| |
380 |
1.0 |
Biological
Basis of Psychiatric Disorders |
| |
482 |
1.0 |
Clinical
Psychopharmacology |
| |
492 |
1.0 |
Experimental
Methods in Synaptic Physiology |
PHYS |
280 |
1.0 |
Physical Models of Biological Systems |
Graduate Courses
|
|
BIOL
|
526
|
1.0
|
Experimental Principles in Cell and Molecular
Biology
|
|
540 |
1.0 |
Genetic Systems |
INSC |
572 |
1.0 |
Electrical Language
of Cells (Neuroscience Core II) |
|
|
587
|
1.0
|
Neurobiology of Disease
|
|
|
596
|
1.0
|
Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
|
|
|
597
|
1.0
|
Developmental Neurobiology
|
|
...and one systems and integrative neuroscience course
from the list below (a) :
|
|
|
|
Vertebrate Biology
|
|
|
219
|
1.0
|
Introduction to Brain and Behavior
|
|
|
231
|
1.0
|
Animal Behavior
|
|
|
432
|
1.0
|
Animal Cognition
|
|
BIBB
|
260
|
1.0
|
Neuroendocrinology
|
|
|
310
|
1.0
|
Laboratory in the Structure of the Nervous System
|
|
|
340
|
1.0
|
Human Chronobiology and Sleep
|
|
PSYC
|
127
|
1.0
|
Psychology of Motivated Behaviors
|
|
|
451
|
1.0
|
Animal Communication
|
Graduate Courses
|
INSC |
573 |
1.0 |
Systems and Integrative Neuroscience (Neuroscience
Core III) |
|
592 |
1.0 |
Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory |
| |
593 |
1.0 |
Structural Neurobiology |
|
595 |
1.0 |
Behavioral Neuroscience |
|
...and add two credits of research experience (b)
:
|
|
|
|
Independent Research
|
|
|
499
|
1.0
|
Advanced Independent Research
|
|
|
(a)
|
Other appropriate advanced undergraduate
or graduate level courses may be included if the student
obtains prior approval from one of the concentration
advisors. Students interested in graduate courses should
discuss their interest with their advisor.
|
|
(b)
|
Also required: a written thesis
based on research performed in BIOL 399 and 499 plus
a presentation
of this work as a poster in the annual Symposium
on Undergraduate Research in Biology (SURB).
|
how to apply
Contact any of the following advisors for more information on
the concentration:
sample curriculum
Listed below is a sample curriculum that incorporates
the requirements for the Neuroscience Concentration as well as
courses needed to for the General Requirement, foreign language
proficiency, and the pre-medical program.
|
BIOL 101 or 121
(1.5 CU)
|
|
BIOL 102 (1.5 cu)
or 230 (1 cu)
|
| MATH 104 (1.0 CU) |
|
MATH 115 (1.0 CU) |
| GE
requirement (a)
(1.0 CU) |
|
PHYS
101 with 011(b) (1.5 CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
|
GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
| Total 4.5 CU |
|
Total 5 or 4.5 CU |
|
|
PHYS 102 with 012
(1.5 CU)
|
|
BIOL 221 (1.0 CU)
|
| CHEM 101 (1.0 CU) |
|
CHEM 102 (1.0 CU) |
| CHEM
053 (0.5 CU) |
|
CHEM
054 (0.5 CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
|
GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
| GE
requirement
(1.0 CU) |
|
GE
requirement
(1.0 CU) |
| Total 5.0 CU |
|
Total 4.5 CU |
|
|
BIOL 251 (1.5 CU)
|
|
SI (c) or major
elective* (1.0 CU)
|
| CHEM 241(b) (1.0 CU) |
|
CHEM 242(b) (1.0 CU) |
| GE
requirement
(1.0 CU) |
|
GE
requirement (1.0 CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
|
GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
| Total 4.5 CU |
|
Total 4.0 CU |
|
|
BIOL 399 (1.0 CU)
|
|
BIOL 499 (1.0 CU)
|
| SI (c) or major elective*
(1.0 CU) |
|
Major elective* (1.0
CU) |
| CHEM
245(b) (1.0 CU) |
|
Major
elective* (1.0 CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
|
GE requirement (1.0
CU) |
| GE requirement (1.0 CU) |
|
|
| Total 5.0 CU |
|
Total 4.0 CU |
|
|
(a)
|
The College requires all students to complete the General
Education curriculum. Usually, a total of 20.0 credit
units appropriately distributed for the General Education
requirements and free electives are needed. These requirements
include competency in a foreign language. See specific
details at http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/index.html
|
|
(b)
|
These courses are not required for the Neuroscience
Concentration but are required for the pre-medical curriculum
and are strongly recommended for students planning to
pursue graduate studies in Neuroscience.
|
(c) |
SI = Systems and Integrative Neuroscience course: Biol
442 and 451 are offered in the Spring, Biol 436 is offered
in the Fall. |
|
*
|
Choose from the Neuroscience concentration
course list: two CU in Cellular,
Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience and one additional cu
in Systems and Integrative Neuroscience are required.
|
alternatives to this concentration
Students interested in neuroscience but unable to complete all
the required courses for this concentration are encouraged to
major in Biology and choose as many of the courses in this concentration
as possible. If a student leaves the Neuroscience Concentration,
he or she should be aware that three or four appropriately distributed
200-level courses are required for the Biology major - see your
advisor of the Undergraduate Coordinator for details. Other related
majors included Psychology and the Biological Basis of Behavior.
|
Undergraduate Program