Neural Science (2022 - 2024)
Major
The neural science major (a minor is not offered) comprises fifteen courses (63 points). It requires these six courses (24 points) offered by the Center for Neural Science:
- Introduction to Neural Science (NEURL-UA 100)
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (NEURL-UA 210)
- Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience (NEURL-UA 220)
- Three elective courses in neural science (may include NEURL-UA 302, NEURL-UA 305)
The balance of the major requirements (nine courses/39 points) is taken in other departments, as follows:
- General Chemistry and Laboratory I, II (CHEM-UA 125, 126)
- Principles of Biology I, II (BIOL-UA 11, 12)
- Molecular and Cell Biology I (BIOL-UA 21)
- General Physics II (PHYS-UA 12). Please note that General Physics I (PHYS-UA 11), or credit for AP Physics C (Mechanics), is a prerequisite for General Physics II. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis by the Department of Physics. Students are not automatically permitted to take PHYS-UA 12 before/without PHYS-UA 11.
- Calculus I (MATH-UA 121)
- One approved statistics course, such as Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (PSYCH-UA 10)
- One approved upper-level course in either psychology or biology
Prehealth students must take, in addition to the above, Principles of Biology Lab (BIOL-UA 123), General Physics I (PHYS-UA 11), Organic Chemistry and Laboratory I, II (CHEM-UA 225, 226), and Biochemistry I (CHEM-UA 881). These courses are not required for the major in neural science.
AP or other advanced standing credit is only accepted for the calculus and statistics requirements. This is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by a neural science adviser.
A grade of B- or higher in Introduction to Neural Science (NEURL-UA 100) is the prerequisite to declaring the major (a grade of C or better is required for all other courses in the major). Students who take NEURL-UA 100 in the spring of their sophomore year may be allowed to tentatively declare the major before the final grade for this course is recorded (all CAS students are required to declare their major in spring of their sophomore year). However, students in this particular situation must earn a B- or better in NEURL-UA 100 to remain declared in the neural science major.
Note that Introduction to Neural Science is offered only in the spring term. Students may take it as early as their first year if they are well-prepared and their schedules permit it, but taking it in the spring of their sophomore year does not endanger their ability to complete this major and graduate in two more years.
Students should meet with a neural science adviser as early in their NYU career as possible (freshman year is recommended).
Honors Program
To graduate with honors in neural science, students must achieve a GPA of 3.65 in both the major and overall.
In the fall semester of their senior year, students seeking honors must complete the Honors Seminar (NEURL-UA 301). In the spring of their senior year, they must present a paper at the College’s annual Undergraduate Research Conference and the department’s Undergraduate Research Conference and submit an honors thesis that is accepted by the faculty sponsor and the director of undergraduate studies.
Admittance to the laboratory courses associated with Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (NEURL-UA 210) and Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience (NEURL-UA 220) is assured and required only for students in the honors track.