Neural Science (BS)

Department Website

Program Description

Neural science spans multiple disciplines for studying the function of the brain. Experimental approaches in neural science vary from analyses of molecular and cellular mechanisms in nerve cells and groups of nerve cells to behavioral and psychological studies of whole organisms. Theoretical tools include mathematical and computational modeling approaches that have proved useful in other areas of science. Experimental questions include issues related to biophysical and neurochemical mechanisms within single nerve cells, functional neural circuits consisting of small numbers of neurons, the behavior of large systems of neurons, and the relationship between the activity of elements of the nervous system and the behavior of organisms.

The Center for Neural Science confers the BS degree in Neural Science (there is no BA degree for this major, nor is there a minor).

Honors Program

Students are eligible to apply for honors once they have declared the major in Neural Science. They must maintain both a major and an overall GPA of 3.65.

The honors program requires 6 credits over and above the requirements of the standard Neural Science major. In the fall semester of senior year, students seeking honors must complete NEURL-UA 301 Honors Seminar (2 credits). They must also take one laboratory course: either NEURL-UA 211 Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology Lab (offered only in the fall; 4 credits) or NEURL-UA 221 Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience Lab (offered only in the spring; 4 credits). Admittance to the seminar and laboratory courses is assured and required only for students in the honors track. These courses do not double-count toward the neural science electives required for the major.

In the spring of senior year, students must present a paper at the College’s annual Undergraduate Research Conference and the department’s Undergraduate Research Conference. They also submit an honors thesis for review by their faculty sponsor and the director of undergraduate studies.

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply