Pathways Through the NS&B Major
There are several pathways through the major from which to choose. Here are three examples:
Recommended Course Sequence
Alternative 1 (Late Starter)
Alternative 2 (Very Late Starter)
Recommended Course Sequence
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Year 1 |
BIOL 181/191 |
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BIOL 182/192 |
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CHEM 141 (or 143) |
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CHEM 142 (or 144) |
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Year 2 |
NSB 213 |
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NS&B Advanced |
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CHEM 251 |
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CHEM 252 |
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Year 3 |
PHYS 111 (or 113) or |
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PHYS 112 (or 116) |
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NS&B Advanced |
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NS&B Advanced |
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Year 4 |
NS&B Advanced |
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NS&B Advanced |
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*Psych/Bio/MBB |
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This course sequence is recommended for a number of reasons. You will have taken the core introductory biology series and much of the required chemistry early on, which will provide a strong background for the advanced NS&B courses. This sequence will also limit the number of science courses to two or fewer per semester, provide sufficient time for undergraduate research during your last two years and, if desired, time to complete an honors thesis during your senior year.
*Any upper level (200 or higher) course in one of these departments.
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Fall |
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Spring |
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Year 1 |
PHYS 111 (or 113) or |
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PHYS 112 (or 116) |
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Year 2 |
Bio 181/191 |
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Bio 182/192 |
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NSB 213 |
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NS&B Advanced |
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Year 3 |
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NS&B Advanced |
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| CHEM 141 (or 143) |
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CHEM 142 (or 144) |
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Year 4 |
CHEM 251 |
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CHEM 252 |
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NS&B Advanced |
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NS&B Advanced |
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Alternative 2 is an example of how you might delay taking the core introductory biology series and other foundation courses until your second year and still be prepared to become a major at the usual time. Note that at some point you will have to take three science courses in two semesters but if this is done early enough, you should still have plenty of time for research during your last two years if so desired.
*Any upper level (200 or higher) course in one of these departments.
Alternative 2 (Very Late Starter)
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Year 1 |
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Year 2 |
NSB 213 |
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NS&B Advanced |
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PHYS 111 (or 113) or |
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PHYS 112 (or 116) |
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Year 3 |
BIOL 181/191 |
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BIOL 182/192 |
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CHEM 141 (or 143) |
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CHEM 142 (or 144) |
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NS&B Advanced |
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NS&B Advanced |
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Year 4 |
CHEM 251 |
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CHEM 252 |
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NS&B Advanced |
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NS&B Advanced |
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This hypothetical course sequence shows how it is still possible to major in NS&B even when you take no science courses during your first year. Note that you can still declare the major by the end of your sophomore year. However, the drawbacks are several. First, you will have multiple semesters with more than two science courses--a heavy load. You will also have less time for research during your last two years. Perhaps most important is the fact that having to take foundation courses at the same time or even after some advanced courses will mean you are less well prepared for the most advanced neuroscience courses.
*Any upper level (200 or higher) course in one of these departments.
These are but a few ways of fulfilling the major requirements. In most scenarios, the order in which you take upper level courses from the Psychology and Biology Departments is arbitrary. This is also true for the order in which Chemistry courses are presented. However, we recommend that you take the two years of chemistry consecutively to maximize retention and application of material from year 1 to year 2. Some students are reluctant to take Introductory biology and chemistry during their first semester. We recommend that if you choose to take only one subject, make it biology.