BS Neuroscience

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Program Overview

The Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan is an interdisciplinary major combining molecular and cellular neuroscience with behavioral neuroscience to help students understand how the nervous system develops, functions, and influences behavior, cognition, mental disorders, and disease. It suits students interested in neuroscience research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, health professions, or other careers that require strong analytical skills.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:
Students build the scientific foundation needed for neuroscience through introductory biology, chemistry, statistics, and quantitative coursework. Preparation can include courses such as BIOLOGY 171, CHEM 210/211 and 215/216, and STATS 250, alongside quantitative options such as Calculus or Physics.

Second Year:
Students move into core neuroscience concepts connecting cellular processes with behavior and physiology. Key courses include PSYCH 230: Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience, BIOLOGY 225: Human/Animal Physiology, and MCDB 322: Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience, giving students a broader understanding of the nervous system from molecular to behavioral levels.

Third Year:
Students deepen their knowledge through upper-level molecular, cellular, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience electives while developing laboratory and research skills. Coursework can include BIOLOGY 305: Genetics, a biochemistry course such as MCDB 310, BIOLCHEM 415, or CHEM 351, and advanced electives from the molecular/cellular and behavioral neuroscience groups.

Fourth Year:
The final stage emphasizes advanced study, laboratory experience, and independent research. Students complete the required laboratory component and can undertake independent research through courses such as NEURO 360/460 or complete an honors/non-honors thesis, giving them an opportunity to design, conduct, interpret, and present original neuroscience research.

Focus Areas:

Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Physiology, Quantitative Neuroscience, Neuroscience Research.

Learning Outcomes:

Integrate cellular, molecular, and behavioral approaches to neuroscience; understand nervous-system development and function; apply quantitative and analytical methods; conduct and interpret scientific research; develop laboratory and independent research skills; prepare for graduate, professional, health, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and other analytical careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Neuroscience Major is an interdisciplinary academic program within U-M LSA, jointly supported by the Department of Psychology and the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. It is not presented by U-M as a separately professionally accredited clinical or engineering degree; instead, it provides preparation for graduate education, health professions, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, and other analytical careers.

Reputation (Employability):

The University of Michigan's official Neuroscience program identifies pathways into medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, graduate study, industry, education, sales, and government. The program also highlights abundant opportunities for undergraduate research, including access to hundreds of research labs across U-M, providing students with opportunities to gain experience in active research environments.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Michigan Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience gives students substantial hands-on experience through laboratory coursework and independent research. The major requires two upper-level laboratory courses, and one can be completed as an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty sponsor. Students can also join one of the hundreds of research laboratories at U-M, gaining experience in designing, conducting, and interpreting experiments across neuroscience and related fields.

Students can build practical research and laboratory skills through:

Independent Research: Students can participate in a laboratory, field, or modeling project where they contribute to the design, implementation, and interpretation of experiments. U-M has hundreds of research labs available to undergraduate students.
Upper-Level Laboratory Courses: The major includes two upper-level lab courses, with one option being an independent research project supervised by a faculty member.
Honors & Thesis Research: Students pursuing an honors or non-honors thesis can conduct extended research using courses such as NEURO 360 and NEURO 460, working with an approved faculty sponsor.
Summer Research Fellowship: The MCDB/Neuroscience Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship provides $1,000 fellowships for students conducting research for 20 hours per week in an MCDB or Neuroscience faculty laboratory during spring/summer.
Research Internship: The MCDB Horizons Summer Research Internship allows eligible students to join an MCDB research laboratory, work directly on a research project as part of a scientific team, and develop practical biological-science skills.
Research Presentation: Undergraduate researchers can receive travel awards to attend scientific meetings and present their research, with standard awards of $250 and some awards up to $500, plus potential poster-printing reimbursement.
Specialised Research Environment: Students benefit from U-M's broader neuroscience research community, including the Michigan Neuroscience Institute, and can engage with faculty working in behavioral, cognitive, developmental, molecular, sensory and computational neuroscience.
Student Collaboration: Neuroscience students can participate in neuroscience-related student organisations and activities, including opportunities to connect with other students and faculty through talks and events.

Facilities & Resources:

Students in the University of Michigan Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience have access to extensive research and learning resources, including hundreds of research laboratories across U-M, the Michigan Neuroscience Institute, and laboratory facilities used for upper-level neuroscience and independent research. These resources support hands-on experimentation, faculty-guided research, thesis projects, and opportunities to present research at scientific meetings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The University of Michigan Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience prepares graduates for pathways in neuroscience research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and health professions such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy. The program also develops analytical skills that can support careers in areas such as law, business, government, and other research-oriented fields.

Typical Job Roles: Neuroscience Research Assistant, Biotechnology Specialist, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Health Services Professional

Career development and future opportunities include:

University Career & Advising Support: Neuroscience advisors help students with career-path planning, research opportunities, course planning, and post-graduation options, while pre-health advisors support preparation for medical, dental, pharmacy, and other health-professional programs. LSA career advisors also provide internship support, workshops, résumé and cover-letter guidance.
Employment & Graduation Outcomes: U-M LSA reports that 96% of LSA graduates are employed or attending graduate/professional school, and 77% had an internship experience that helped them gain additional experience and skills. These figures are for LSA overall rather than the Neuroscience major specifically.
Research & Professional Connections: Neuroscience students can access hundreds of research laboratories at U-M, with research opportunities involving faculty from Psychology, MCDB, and more than 20 additional departments. Students can also participate in research internships and present their work at scientific meetings.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Neuroscience major is an interdisciplinary academic program, not a separately professionally accredited clinical or engineering degree. Its value is in providing preparation for graduate education, health-professional programs, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other analytical careers.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can continue into graduate programs in neuroscience, psychology, or biology, pursue medical, dental, veterinary or pharmacy education, or move into health services, industry, government, teaching, and sales.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Neuroscience degree, students can pursue graduate study in neuroscience, psychology, biology, or related fields, or apply to professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy. Students interested in research can strengthen their preparation through the program's Honors and thesis pathway, which involves significant independent research, a written thesis, and a public research presentation.