BS in Physiology and Neurobiology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Connecticut

Program Overview

The B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of Connecticut provides a strong foundation in how the body and brain function at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, integrating current research and medical science. It is well suited to students interested in human health, neuroscience, biomedical research, medicine, or related scientific careers, with coursework spanning human physiology, neurobiology, endocrinology, cardiorespiratory physiology, nervous-system development, and disease.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIOL 1107: Principles of Biology I, MATH 1131Q: Calculus I, and general chemistry such as CHEM 1127Q: General Chemistry I. These courses develop the biology, mathematics, and chemistry knowledge needed for more specialized physiology and neurobiology study.

Second Year: Students begin the major's core physiological training with PNB 2774: Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy I, PNB 2775: Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy II, and PNB 2776: Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy Laboratory. Together, these courses examine cell and membrane physiology, the nervous and endocrine systems, and major organ systems while adding inquiry-based laboratory experience.

Third Year: Students move into specialized study through courses such as PNB 3251: Biology of the Brain, PNB 3255: Human Neuroanatomy, and PNB 3257: Development of the Brain. They can also explore subjects such as stem cells, molecular and developmental neurobiology, and physiological model systems, connecting molecular and cellular mechanisms with nervous-system and human-health applications.

Fourth Year: The final year provides opportunities for advanced study and research through courses such as PNB 3263WQ: Investigations in Neurobiology, PNB 3264W: Molecular Principles of Physiology, and PNB 4297W: Senior Research Thesis in Physiology and Neurobiology. Students can also specialize through subjects including PNB 3500: Cardiorespiratory Physiology, PNB 3700: Sensory Physiology, and PNB 4400: Biology of Nervous System Diseases.

Focus areas: Human physiology, neurobiology, human anatomy, molecular and developmental neurobiology, endocrinology, cardiorespiratory physiology, sensory physiology, stem cell biology, physiological model systems, nervous-system diseases, and biomedical research.

Learning outcomes: Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of fundamental physiological processes in humans and animals, develop and apply skills used by physiologists and neurobiologists, and gain awareness and preparation for postgraduate careers. The curriculum also develops experimental investigation, quantitative analysis, scientific communication, and research skills through courses such as Investigations in Neurobiology and the Senior Research Thesis.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The official UConn B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology catalog does not state a separate professional or disciplinary accreditation for this bachelor's program. The program instead specifies its academic requirements, experiential coursework, research opportunities, and learning objectives.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): UConn's official 2026–27 materials report that the university is ranked No. 32 among U.S. public universities by U.S. News & World Report and No. 40 among public universities by the Wall Street Journal. UConn's latest undergraduate outcomes report also records a 91% positive outcome rate for the 2025 graduating class, including employment and continued education; these are university-level figures rather than program-specific results for Physiology and Neurobiology.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of Connecticut gives students substantial opportunities to apply physiological and neurobiological concepts through inquiry-based laboratories, experimental research, independent investigation, and field study. Students can work with model organisms, perform molecular and cellular techniques, design independent neurobiology research projects, and communicate scientific findings using data visualization and videography. The major specifically includes an Experiential Group, allowing students to choose from research- and practice-oriented courses:

Inquiry-Based Laboratories: PNB 2776: Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy Laboratory provides hands-on laboratory learning connected to human physiology and anatomy.
Drosophila Research: PNB 3178: Introduction to Drosophila Models in Physiology and Neurobiology Research provides practical experience with fly husbandry, phenotypic analysis, microdissection, microscopy, and behavioral assays involving mating, circadian rhythms, aggression, and learning.
Molecular Techniques: PNB 3179: Molecular Physiology in Drosophila Models gives students hands-on experience with techniques and assays including Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry, spectroscopy, PCR, and mass spectrometry.
Independent Research Projects: PNB 3263WQ: Investigations in Neurobiology emphasizes designing and conducting independent experimental research projects and communicating the results.
Undergraduate Research: Students can undertake faculty-supervised research through PNB 3296: Undergraduate Research in Physiology and Neurobiology or PNB 4296: Honors Undergraduate Research in Physiology and Neurobiology.
Senior Research Thesis: PNB 4297W: Senior Research Thesis in Physiology and Neurobiology is one of the experiential options available within the major.
Field Experience: PNB 3180: Field Study in Physiology and Neurobiology allows students to undertake supervised field work at an off-campus research organization or business, with activities planned with the site supervisor, faculty coordinator, and student.
Science Communication Tools: PNB 3120W: Public Communication of Physiology and Neurobiology can involve storytelling, blogging, data visualization, and videography, helping students translate physiological science for broader audiences.
Project-Based Learning: PNB 1000: Introduction to Academic and Scientific Methods in Physiology and Neurobiology is a project-based first-year course that introduces scientific methods and may include educational and laboratory-based research.
Research Environment: The department's undergraduate curriculum connects students with research opportunities and independent study, while UConn's Homer Babbidge Library provides access to the university's main research-library resources at Storrs.
Specialized Study: Students can select experiential work alongside courses covering areas such as Biology of the Brain, Stem Cell Biology, Biology of Synaptic Transmission, Sensory Physiology, and Biology of Nervous System Diseases, allowing practical experiences to complement advanced subject knowledge.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology prepares students to understand how the body and brain function at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, with coursework spanning physiology, neurobiology, endocrinology, cardiorespiratory physiology, and disease. The program also provides undergraduate research and independent-study opportunities, supporting pathways into scientific, healthcare, research, and postgraduate careers.

Career roles: Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Clinical Research Coordinator, Biological Science Technician.
Career services: UConn’s Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills supports students with career preparation and connects undergraduate experiences with employment and further education. In UConn’s 2024–25 undergraduate outcomes, 86% of students used Career Services, and students who used Career Services had a higher reported rate of finding jobs related to their field or career goals.
Employment & salary: UConn reports a 91% positive outcomes rate for its 2024–25 undergraduate cohort and an average starting salary of $67,500 across undergraduate graduates; these are university-wide figures rather than outcomes specific to Physiology and Neurobiology.
Experiential preparation: Students can complete program-specific experiential coursework such as PNB 3263W Investigations in Neurobiology, PNB 3180 Field Study in Physiology and Neurobiology, and PNB 4297W Senior Research Thesis in Physiology and Neurobiology, while the curriculum also allows undergraduate research in Physiology and Neurobiology.
University–industry partnerships: A specific industry partnership dedicated to the B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology is not stated on the official program catalog page. The program instead highlights its integration of current research and medical science and its undergraduate research opportunities.
Accreditation value: A separate professional accreditation for the B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology is not stated in UConn’s official program information, so no discipline-specific accreditation should be assumed.
Graduation outcomes: The program explicitly prepares students for post-graduate careers, while the university reports that approximately 25% of UConn graduates enroll in continuing education within six months of graduation. UConn's published continuing-education data are university-wide rather than specific to this major.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into UConn’s M.S. or Ph.D. in Physiology and Neurobiology, both of which are listed as graduate programs in the university catalog. The bachelor's curriculum can also support further study in related biological, biomedical, healthcare, and research disciplines depending on the student's chosen prerequisites and career pathway.