Neuroscience Major
Goals for the Neuroscience Major
- Develop a "STEM identity"--that is, identify as a scientist.
- Recognize and describe the interdisciplinarity of neuroscience.
- Describe and apply major neuroscientific experimental methods and approaches.
- Demonstrate the ability to interpret and critically evaluate the neuroscience literature.
- Apply analytical and statistical methods to interpret, evaluate, and critique experimental data.
- Use the scientific method to design original experiments that advance current knowledge, while adhering to ethical standards.
- Develop confidence and demonstrate fluency with oral and written communication for scientific and general audiences.
- Collaborate effectively with peers.
- Explain the societal relevance of discoveries in neuroscience and their translational potential for improving human health and well-being.
We anticipate that fulfillment of these goals will provide the intellectual and technical skills necessary for the successful pursuit of graduate school, medical school, and careers in neuroscience-related fields.
Requirements for the Neuroscience Major
For students entering in Fall 2025 and beyond, the major consists of the following courses:
Five Core Courses: 1) NEUR 101; 2) NEUR 201; 3) NEUR 202; 4) BISC 110, BISC 110P, BISC 112, BISC 112Y, or BISC 116; 5) And one of the following PSYC 105, PSYC 205, STAT 160, STAT 218, ECON 103/SOC 190, or BISC 198.
Two 200-Level Courses* from the following:
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BIOC 219/BISC 219, BIOC 220/BISC 220, CHEM 211, BIOC 223/CHEM 223, BIOC 227/CHEM 227, PSYC 214, PSYC 215, PSYC 216, PSYC 217, PSYC 218, PHIL 215, CS 232, MATH 215, MATH 220, PHYS 210, QR 260/STAT 260
*Note that many of these courses have specific prerequisites.
Four 300-Level Courses, at least 3 of which must be NEUR courses, and at least one of which must be a laboratory course taken at Wellesley:
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NEUR 301, NEUR 305+L, NEUR 310X or NEUR 310+L, NEUR 315/BISC 315, NEUR 332, NEUR 320 or NEUR 320+L, NEUR 325 or NEUR 325+L, NEUR 330, NEUR 335+L
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BISC 302+L, BIOC 325/CHEM 325, PSYC 314R+L, PSYC 315R+L, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 328
NEUR 240, NEUR 250, NEUR 250H, NEUR 340, NEUR 350, NEUR 350H, NEUR 360, and NEUR 370 do not count toward the minimum major. A minimum of nine courses toward the major requirements (including one 300-level laboratory course) must be taken at Wellesley. Normally no more than two units in neuroscience taken at other institutions may be counted toward the major. Additional information is also available at wellesley.edu/neuroscience/major.
For students entering before Fall 2025, the major consists of the following courses:
Five Core Courses: 1) NEUR 100; 2) NEUR 200; 3) NEUR 300; 4) BISC 110, BISC 110P, BISC 112, BISC 112Y, or BISC 116; 5) And one of the following PSYC 105, PSYC 205, STAT 160, STAT 218, ECON 103/SOC 190, or BISC 198.
Three 200-Level Courses* from at least two of the three areas of concentration:
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Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience: BIOC 219/BISC 219, BIOC 220/BISC 220, CHEM 211, BIOC 223/CHEM 223, BIOC 227/CHEM 227
*Note that many of these courses have specific prerequisites.
Three 300-Level Courses from at least two of the three areas of concentration, at least one of which must be a laboratory course taken at Wellesley:
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Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience: BISC 302+L, BIOC 325/CHEM 325, NEUR 305+L, BISC 315/NEUR 315, NEUR 332
NEUR 240, NEUR 250, NEUR 250H, NEUR 340, NEUR 350, NEUR 350H, NEUR 360, and NEUR 370 do not count toward the minimum major. A minimum of eight courses toward the major requirements (including one 300-level laboratory course) must be taken at Wellesley. Normally no more than three units in neuroscience taken at other institutions may be counted toward the major. Additional information is also available at wellesley.edu/neuroscience/major.
Transfer Credit in Neuroscience
To obtain Wellesley credit for any neuroscience course taken at another institution, approval must be obtained from the chair of the department prior to enrolling in the course. Instructions and additional information are available at wellesley.edu/neuroscience/major/transfer-credits. In general, courses taken at two-year colleges will not be accepted. These restrictions apply to courses taken after enrollment at Wellesley. Transfer students wishing to obtain credit for courses taken prior to enrollment at Wellesley should consult the chair of the department.
Honors in Neuroscience
The only route to honors in the major is writing a thesis based on laboratory research (NEUR 360/NEUR 370) and passing an oral examination. To be admitted to the thesis program, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all work in the major field above the 100 level. The department may petition on a student's behalf if the student's grade point average in the major is between 3.3 and 3.5. Projects may be supervised by members of the various departments associated with the major. Students considering the senior thesis option are advised to consult with the chair of the department during the fall of their junior year. See Academic Distinctions.
Graduate Study in Neuroscience
Students wishing to attend graduate school in neuroscience are strongly encouraged to talk to their major advisors about additional courses that are recommended, as these vary depending upon the focus of specific graduate programs. For programs focused on 1) cell and molecular neuroscience, biochemistry (BIOC 223) is likely among the recommended courses, 2) cognitive neuroscience, research methods in cognitive psychology (PSYC 314R) may be recommended and 3) systems and computational neuroscience, computational and computer science courses (including CS 112, MATH 115, MATH 116) and physics (through PHYS 106 or PHYS 108) may be recommended. Your major advisor can help you define courses that are tailored to your specific graduate school interests.