Neuroscience, BS
Imagine exploring questions like: What drives human actions? How do our brains adapt to change? What breakthroughs in neuroscience have helped develop cures for neurological disorders? In our Neuroscience BS program, you will not only learn how the brain functions but also develop skills that position you at the forefront of innovation across healthcare, psychology, biotechnology, and more. Discover how your passion for neuroscience can lead to a fulfilling and impactful future.
Program Overview
The BS in neuroscience teaches how the brain and nervous system function through an interdisciplinary foundation ranging from biology to engineering.
Whether you’re interested in learning about the human brain from a biological perspective or a philosophical one, our program’s interdisciplinary coursework allows you to tailor your degree pathway to your interests, letting you create a fingerprint education unique to you. You’ll have opportunities to take courses in biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology; neuroscience; philosophy; computer science; materials science and engineering; and even audio and speech pathology.
Plus, our program also offers two minors and an Honors pathway for students who want to pursue more advanced, rigorous coursework.
Honors
We also currently offer an Honors pathway for the Bachelor of Science in neuroscience. Students take Honors-specific courses and complete an Honors thesis, receiving one-on-one guidance from a faculty mentor. This pathway is a great fit for students who are highly motivated, driven, and want to be challenged through advanced coursework. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.25 before applying for the Honors pathway.
Minors
Our current selection of minors include:
- Neuroscience Minor
- Psychology Minor
Our program currently offers two minors, one in neuroscience for those interested in studying more scientific aspects of the brain—such as the nervous system and neural networks—and another in psychology—for students who want to take a more behavioral and emotional approach to their studies. Regardless of your interests, these minors can supplement any primary field of study, equipping you with knowledge that will help you make a meaningful difference.
Why Study Neuroscience?
Hailing as one of the fastest-growing undergraduate programs at UT, a BS in neuroscience prepares students for careers in medicine, healthcare, education, and research through internships, undergraduate research opportunities, and interdisciplinary knowledge.
Internships for Real-World Impact
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience encourages students to pursue internships to gain hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. Whether you want to pursue graduate study or find a career, UT’s unique partnerships with local organizations mean students can make a real-world impact.
Exceptional Research Opportunities
With opportunities to work in some of our renowned faculty-led labs, you can participate in ground-breaking research on topics such as human and animal behavior, evolutionary behavior, and the relationship between biological systems and behavior development.
Interdisciplinary Coursework
Our unique course options blend engineering, computer science, philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, and so much more, so that students truly have an interdisciplinary foundation for their studies.
What Can You Do with an BS in Neuroscience After Graduation?
Studying neuroscience at UT opens a gateway into many careers that fit your specific interests. With a neuroscience degree, and often an advanced degree in this field, you could go into medicine or healthcare as a neurologist (behavioral, developmental, cognitive), physician assistant, clinical program coordinator, or neurodiagnostic technologist.
Your knowledge in psychology could lead you to be a child and adolescent psychiatrist, addiction psychiatrist, or work in other psychiatry concentrations. In research, you could be a clinical research coordinator, public health researcher, or discovery specialist. You could even land in law or business, as a public policy advisor or market research analyst.
Neuroscience is a diverse and multidimensional program, preparing you for a career that aligns with your skills, interests, and experience.
Featured Courses
NEUR 200 Introductory Neuroanatomy
In this course, students will dissect the sheep brain to introduce the structure and function of the mammalian brain– including that of humans.
NEUR 425 Brain-Image Analysis Laboratory
This course covers experimental approaches in neuroscience – brain anatomy, image quantification, and analysis.
PHIL 366 Philosophy of Cognitive Science
Students will receive an introduction to major issues in the philosophy of cognitive science, such as the nature of mental representation, the computational theory of mind, the relationship between neural processes and cognitive functions, theories of consciousness, the modularity of mind, and the impact of neuroscience on our understanding of these concepts. Other topics may include the role of experiments in theory validation, evolutionary psychology, cognitive biases in human reasoning, and ethical and social implications of cognitive science research.
NEUR 301 Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience
This course covers topics such as how neurons communicate with one another, how drugs alter behavior, the cellular basis for sleep, emotion, and memory, and disorders of the nervous system. This course also serves as a gateway into the major.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
- Philosophy of Science and Medicine Minor
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Minor
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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