Neuroscience, BS
Explore how the human brain and nervous system shape thought, emotion and behavior. As part of a close-knit community, you'll collaborate with award-winning faculty across four foundational areas of neuroscience and prepare for careers or graduate study in a broad range of health and psychological sciences.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
or MAT 265 Calculus for Engineers I or MAT 270 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Bachelor of Science program in neuroscience explores how the brain and nervous system operate to control bodily function, behavior and mental states. You receive interdisciplinary training at the intersection of biology, chemistry and psychology, gaining hands-on research experience in a collaborative, close-knit community within ASU's Department of Psychology.
This program offers direct access to award-winning faculty and research labs. Coursework spans four key domains of neuroscience:
- Behavioral neuroscience: How does the brain work to control behavior?
- Cellular and molecular neuroscience: How do the cells of the nervous system work?
- Cognitive neuroscience: How does brain activity underlie our thoughts and emotions?
- Systems and computational neuroscience: How do the billions of neurons work together?
In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you are interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you can visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship Program
This degree qualifies for participation in the McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship Program, which prepares academically outstanding students to solve health care challenges as leaders in medicine and biotechnology. With industry-informed, customized support and tight-knit 30-student cohorts, the MLSBE Program gives you the tools to become a successful entrepreneur at the intersection of science and business.
The program transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, allowing you to graduate with two degrees --- one in finance and another in a natural science discipline of choice. You also complete a certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation, all in the same amount of time as a typical four-year degree program.
A new cohort is accepted each fall. Incoming first-year students are eligible to apply to the MLSBE Program after they've submitted their application to ASU.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| NEU 101 Introduction to Neuroscience |
| BIO 181 General Biology I |
| BIO 182 General Biology II |
| CHM 113 General Chemistry I |
| CHM 116 General Chemistry II |
| NEU 290 Data Science for Neuroscience Majors |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Describe the structure and function of the nervous system at cellular, systems, and behavioral levels.
- Evaluate scientific articles and research-related evidence pertaining to neuroscience phenomena.
- Communicate scientific information in an organized and coherent manner.
Describe the structure and function of the nervous system at cellular, systems, and behavioral levels.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Students can gain valuable experience when studying abroad, experience that enhances their resumes. Students majoring in neuroscience are able to expand their communication and research skills and challenge themselves to adapt and persevere in a new and exciting culture.
With more than 300 programs available in a variety of cultures, study abroad enables students to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends specific study abroad programs for students majoring in neuroscience.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences Professor | 7.3% | $84,620 | Learn more |
| Biological Technician | 7.4% | $57,510 | Learn more |
| Biomedical Engineer | 7.6% | $109,370 | Learn more |
| Clinical Trial Manager | 8.2% | $167,220 | Learn more |
| Data Scientist | 34.6% | $120,230 | Learn more |
| Health Sciences Manager | 8.2% | $167,220 | Learn more |
| Medical Doctor (MD) | 4.0% | $256,560 | Learn more |
| Medical Scientist | 12.6% | $103,410 | Learn more |
| Physician Assistant (PA) | 21.1% | $135,880 | Learn more |
| Speech Pathologist | 16.6% | $97,870 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
The BS in neuroscience opens pathways to careers focused on the human brain, spanning numerous areas of the health sciences and related fields. Graduates pursue opportunities in academic research, bioengineering, biotechnology, data science, law, medicine, psychology, pharmaceutical development, and physical or speech rehabilitation.
The program's interdisciplinary curriculum builds analytical, experimental and communication skills applicable across health and human sciences. Graduates are well prepared for advanced study or professional programs in biomedical fields such as medicine, nursing, clinical practice, technology and veterinary medicine.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Department of Psychology
|
PSY 202
psych.advisor@asu.edu
480-965-7258
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
