Neuroscience Major (CMNS)

Program Director:  Hilary Bierman, Ph.D.

The Neuroscience major is jointly offered by the Departments of Biology in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences and Psychology in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

The Neuroscience major offers rigorous training in the interdisciplinary study of brain and behavior. Students complete a required set of NEUR courses as well as a supporting sequence of coursework in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. Students then choose an upper-level specialization and coursework in (1) cellular, molecular, and physiological neuroscience or (2) behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. The Neuroscience major prepares students for a broad range of career paths including: scientific research, medicine, clinical psychology, allied health professions, or science-related government, nonprofit, or private sector employment.

Admission to the Major

The Neuroscience major is a Limited Enrollment Program. Information on limited enrollment programs can be found at: http://lep.umd.edu.

Transfer Admission Requirements
Students beyond their first semester and those off campus wishing to transfer are required to meet the following gateway criteria:

• Completion of MATH130, MATH135 or MATH140 with a minimum grade of C-
• Completion of BSCI170 AND BSCI171 (formerly BSCI105) and BSCI160 AND BSCI161 (formerly BSCI106) with a minimum grade of C-
• Completion of CHEM131 AND CHEM132 and CHEM231 AND CHEM232 with a minimum grade of C-

A minimum grade point average of 2.7 in all courses taken at the University of Maryland and all other institutions is required for internal and external transfer students.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge base in the field of neuroscience and supporting disciplines.
2. Describe the current techniques and strategies in neuroscience research.
3. Demonstrate competence in scientific reasoning and critical thinking.
4. Demonstrate effective effective professional scientific communication skills.
5. Describe the role of neuroscience in social and cultural contexts as well as the influences of social and cultural context on neuroscience: understand the influences, current and potential, of neuroscience on other fields such as medicine, education, the arts, and the social sciences, recognize the relationships between scientific research and the culture(s) in which it is embedded, and understand and follow ethical practices in academic study, scientific research, and professional life. Students will be able to demonstrate how neuroscience research has been used to oppress and marginalize groups through history and how it might be used to mitigate disparities.
6. Demonstrate an appreciation of possible career paths available to students proficient in neuroscience.

¹

PHYS260 must be taken with PHYS261 to earn 4 credits

²

Three pre-approved Neuroscience Research credits can be applied to the major as one course equivalent. One a single Research course equivalent can be applied to the major.

³

Four pre-approved NEUR479 credits in the same faculty research laboratory can satisfy the lab requirement.

⁴

Courses may be occasionally added or removed from this list. Not all courses may be available each semester.

Click here for roadmaps for four-year plans in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.

Additional information on developing a four-year academic plan can be found on the following pages:

• http://4yearplans.umd.edu
• the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog