Cell Biology & Neuroscience Major

The Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience offers a course of study that provides fundamental and comprehensive training in the areas of cell biology and neuroscience. The major objective of this program is to prepare students for graduate studies in cell biology and neuroscience, entry into professional schools in medicine, dentistry or other health related fields, or employment in industrial and pharmaceutical companies.

Entry Requirements

The major in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience is open to students beyond their first year who have received grades of C or better in courses taken toward the major, except by special permission of the departmental chair. A grade of C or better in courses credited toward the major is required for graduation. Each student must file a Declaration of Major Form with the department.

Major Requirements

The program of study offers two tracks from which students can select one of two options, depending on particular interests and career goals: General Track (Option A) and Honors Research Track (Option B) Normally, each student would select a Track in consultation with a departmental advisor in the semester that the major is declared. A number of core courses are required of all students in the Cell Biology and Neuroscience major, regardless of the chosen option.

 
     
  Major Requirements  
  * 01:119:101-102
General Biology
(4,4 credits)
 
  01:146:245
Fundamentals of Neurobiology
(3 credits)
 
  01:146:270
Fundamentals of Cell & Developmental Biology
(3 credits)
 
  * 01:160:161-162
(4,4 credits) or
01:160:163-164
General Chemistry
(4,4 credits)
 
  * 01:160:171
Introduction to Experimentation
(1 credits)
 
  * 01:160:307-308 or
160:315-316
Organic Chemistry
(4,4 credits)
 
  * 01:160:311
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
(2 credits)
 
  * 01:447:380
Genetics
(4 credits)
 
  * 01:640:135,138** or
01:640:151-152
Calculus
(4,4 credits)
 
  01:694:407-408
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
(3,3 credits) or
115:301 or 694:301 in biochemistry
(3 credits)
and 146:478 in molecular biology
(3 credits)***
 
  * 01:750:203-204
General Physics
(3,3 credits)
 
  * 01:750:205-206
General Physics Laboratory
(1,1 credit)
 
   
  * Indicates Life Sciences Core courses

** 01:640:138
may be substituted by
01:960:379
Basic Probability and Statistic
s
(3 credits) or
01:960:401
Basis Statistics for Research
(3 credits)

 
     
 
     
     
 

General Track (Option A)
(12-13 credits)

 

 
     
     
 
     
     
  This area of concentration is for students who, upon graduation, seek immediate employment or to attend professional schools in health-related fields. In addition to the required core courses,
students must take:
 
  1.  Two of the following three courses:

01:146:445
Advanced Neurobiology I
(4 credits)

or

 
  01:146:470
Advanced Cell Biology
(3 credits)

or
01:146:472
Advanced Developmental Biology
(3 credits)

 
     2.       Two elective courses in the Life Sciences area, at the 300-400 level,
one of which must have
an associated laboratory
(7 or more credits).
These electives must be selected
in consultation with a faculty advisor.