Neuroscience
Interdisciplinary Concentration in Neuroscience for Biology, Psychology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Majors
Majors in biology, psychology, or biochemistry and molecular biology with a special interest in neurobiology or behavioral neuroscience may apply to pursue an interdisciplinary concentration in neuroscience. The interdisciplinary concentration in neuroscience may only be completed with a Bachelor of Science degree. Because of the scheduling demands of the concentration, students are strongly encouraged to declare as early as possible (fall of sophomore year is suggested).
To qualify for a Bachelor of Science degree, students must complete the degree requirements stated under Graduation, including general education requirements, wellness, curriculum, achievement, and residency requirements, along with completion of the requirements for at least one major. The B.S. degree at the University of Richmond requires a concentration in science and quantitative reasoning. The B.S. degree will require depth of coursework and/or research as determined by the department or program along with Math 211 (or equivalent) and a second course that focuses on advanced quantitative methods appropriate to scientific inquiry.
Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the major. Prerequisites do not count toward the major unless otherwise noted.
Designated Courses for Biology Majors
17.5 units, including:
BIOL 199 Introduction to Biological Thinking or BIOL 192 Science, Math and Research Training I
BIOL 200 Integrated Biological Principles I
BIOL 202 Integrated Biological Principles II
Five additional units of biology approved for the major, four of which are at the 300 level, three of which are chosen from the list below, and three of which must have a lab. Students with one unit of research may take two of the five with a lab. The one unit of research may be satisfied by BIOL 394 (taken twice for 0.5 unit each), BIOL 395 (1 unit) or completion of BIOL 406 (summer undergraduate research) or by the dept chair's approval of an external summer research program.
BIOL 308 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab
BIOL 310 The Biology of Poisoning
BIOL 312 Developmental Biology with Lab
BIOL 317 Mechanochemical Cell Biology with Lab
BIOL 338 Comparative Animal Physiology with Lab
BIOL 342 Neurodevelopment
BIOL 343 Neurobiology with Lab
BIOL 354 Biological Basis of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Lab
BIOL 390 Advances in Biology (Biological Toxins; Ion Channels)
CHEM 141 Chemistry: Structure, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics or CHEM 192 Science, Math and Research Training II with Lab
CHEM 205 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 206 Organic Chemistry II
Quantitative-Physical Science Requirement
MATH 211 Calculus I and PSYC 200 Methods and Analyses (from Biology major Quantitative-Physical Science Requirement Category 2), plus one additional unit chosen from either of the following two categories:
Category 1:
MATH 212 Calculus II
Category 3:
CMSC 150 Introduction to Computing
PHYS 127 General Physics 1 or PHYS 131 General Physics with Calculus I
GEOG 260 Introduction to Geographic Information
Two units of neuroscience-related psychology, chosen from:
PSYC 331 Behavioral Neuroscience
PSYC 333 Cognitive Science
PSYC 341 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 353 Clinical Neuroscience
PSYC 444 Clinical Case Studies
Approved 400-level seminar (requires Neuroscience program approval)
.5 unit of neuroscience-related research in biology or chemistry or an approved experience** that culminates in a written report or poster presentation
**Approvals for these classes must be requested in writing to the NRSC Advisory Committee.
Designated Courses for Psychology Majors
17 units, including:
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychological Science
PSYC 200 Methods and Analyses
PSYC 300 Methods and Analyses Core Project
PSYC 331 Behavioral Neuroscience
PSYC 341 Cognitive Neuroscience
One unit in neuroscience research, selected from:
PSYC 361 Independent Research
PSYC 461/PSYC 462 Senior Research
PSYC 491/PSYC 492 Senior Honors
or a second PSYC 300
One unit approved neuroscience-related senior seminar
PSYC 359 Data Visualization and Analysis
One additional PSYC elective chosen from:
PSYC 319 Psychopathology
PSYC 321 Principles of Behavior
PSYC 333 Cognitive Science
PSYC 353 Clinical Neuroscience
PSYC 444 Clinical Case Studies
PSYC 449 Advanced Seminar: ADHD
PSYC 449 Advanced Seminar: Neuroplasticity
PSYC 449 Advanced Seminar: Trauma and Recovery
MATH 212 Calculus II
BIOL 200 Integrated Biological Principles I*
BIOL 202 Integrated Biological Principles II
CHEM 141 Chemistry: Structure, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics
CHEM 205 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 206 Organic Chemistry II
One unit of biology, chosen from:
BIOL 308 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 312 Developmental Biology
BIOL 317 Mechanochemical Cell Biology with Lab
BIOL 338 Comparative Animal Physiology
BIOL 342 Neurodevelopment
BIOL 343 Neurobiology
BIOL 344 Behavioral Ecology
BIOL 354 Biological Basis of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Lab
*Students who are pursuing the neuroscience concentration in the Psychology major may request to use PSYC 200 in lieu of BIOL 199 as a pre-requisite for BIOL 200. Requests must be made to the Chair of the Biology Department. Designated Courses for Biochemistry Majors
Note: A grade of C- (1.7) or better is required in each chemistry and biology course applied toward the major.
For the Bachelor of Science degree:
17-17.75 units, including:
BIOL 199 Introduction to Biological Thinking or BIOL 192 Science, Math and Research Training I
BIOL 200 Integrated Biological Principles I
BIOL 202 Integrated Biological Principles II
BMB 300 Junior Seminar
CHEM 141 Chemistry: Structure, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics
CHEM 205-CHEM 206 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 309 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 324 Experimental Biochemistry
CHEM 325 Experimental Biophysical Chemistry
CHEM 326 Biochemistry
Two units of neuroscience-related biology courses, chosen from:
BIOL 312 Developmental Biology with Lab
BIOL 317 Mechanochemical Cell Biology
BIOL 342 Neurodevelopment
BIOL 343 Neurobiology
BIOL 354 Biological Basis of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Lab
Two senior seminars, to include the presentation of a research topic, chosen from
BMB 310 Senior Seminar I
BMB 311 Senior Seminar II
MATH 212 Calculus II
PHYS 127 Algebra-Based General Physics 1 with Lab or PHYS 131 Calculus-Based General Physics 1 with Lab
PHYS 132 Calculus-Based General Physics 2 with Lab
PSYC 200 Methods and Analyses
One unit of neuroscience-related psychology, chosen from
PSYC 331 Behavioral Neuroscience
PSYC 333 Cognitive Science
PSYC 341 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 353 Clinical Neuroscience
PSYC 440 Advanced Neuroscience
Approved 400-level seminar**
One unit of neuroscience-related research in biology or chemistry or an approved experience** that culminates in a written report or poster presentation
**Approvals for these classes must be requested in writing to the BMB Program Coordinator.