BS Biology in Neurobiology Track

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Iowa State University

Program Overview

The Neurobiology Track at Iowa State University is a four-year, 120-credit degree that builds a broad foundation in life sciences while allowing students to develop an individualized advanced-course focus; students interested in neurobiology can pursue the Cellular and Molecular specialization and select BIOL 4360 Neurobiology among the recommended advanced courses. The program suits students interested in understanding biological systems from the molecular and cellular level through organisms and who may want to progress into biotechnology, research, medicine, veterinary medicine or graduate study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their biological science foundation through BIOL 1100 Biology Major Orientation, BIOL 2110 Principles of Biology I and Laboratory, and BIOL 2120 Principles of Biology II and Laboratory. These courses introduce core biological principles while laboratory components begin developing practical scientific skills.

Year 2: Students progress into the major's upper-level foundation with courses such as BIOL 3120 Ecology, BIOL 3130 Principles of Genetics and Laboratory, and BIOL 3140 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology. This stage strengthens understanding of genetics, cellular processes and interactions between organisms and their environments.

Year 3: Students begin tailoring their advanced Biology coursework toward their interests, with the Cellular and Molecular specialization recommending courses such as BIOL 3280 Molecular and Cellular Biology of Human Disease, BIOL 3490 The Genome Perspective in Biology, and BIOL 4340 Endocrinology. Students pursuing a neurobiology-focused pathway can also select BIOL 4360 Neurobiology, which covers brain function and development, neuronal signaling, synaptic transmission, neural circuits, sensation and sensory processing.

Year 4: Advanced study can become increasingly research-oriented through options such as BIOL 4360 Neurobiology, BIOL 4440 Bioinformatic Analysis, and BIOL 4230 Developmental Biology and Laboratory, depending on the student's individualized plan and available offerings. Iowa State also encourages Biology students to gain experience through independent study, internships and undergraduate research as they prepare for employment or further education.

Focus Areas: Cellular and molecular biology, neurobiology, genetics, developmental biology, physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, human disease and neuroscience-related research.

Learning Outcomes: Students develop core biological literacy across evolution, genetics, cellular and molecular biology, ecology and other biological disciplines, while advanced coursework enables them to integrate specialized knowledge and apply biological concepts as practicing scientists.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Not stated: The official Iowa State Biology program pages reviewed do not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the B.S. in Biology or its neurobiology-focused coursework.

Reputation (Employability/Rankings): Research strength: Iowa State describes itself as a major center for biological-sciences research, with more than 200 faculty across the life sciences and opportunities for undergraduates to participate in meaningful research projects. QS recognition: Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ranked No. 7 globally among 475 institutions for Agriculture & Forestry in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, although this ranking is for the broader subject area rather than the Biology B.S. specifically.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS Biology in Neurobiology track at Iowa State University gives students opportunities to connect neuroscience coursework with hands-on research and laboratory experience. Students can study topics such as Neurobiology, Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Neuroscience, and Advanced Neuroscience Techniques, while the Biology Program encourages students to work directly with faculty in research laboratories. Biology-related research can also count toward degree requirements through BIOL 2990 for introductory research or BIOL 4990 for more independent research.

Program-specific opportunities include:

Neurobiology coursework: BIOL 4360 Neurobiology covers brain function and development, nerve-cell signaling, synaptic transmission, ion channels and receptors, memory, sensory processing, neural circuits, and neurological health and disease.
Advanced neuroscience training: Students interested in deeper neuroscience experience can access coursework including GDCB 5560 Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Neuroscience and GDCB 5570 Advanced Neuroscience Techniques.
Undergraduate research: Biology students can join faculty research laboratories across the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) and Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB); the Biology Program has more than 50 faculty members across these departments, most with research labs.
Research for academic credit: BIOL 2990 provides introductory, closely supervised research experience, while BIOL 4990 supports more independent undergraduate research and can provide advanced biology credit.
Neuroscience research facilities: Iowa State's neuroscience research community works across areas including neuroanatomy, neurodegenerative diseases, developmental neurobiology, neurogenetics, computational neuroscience, neural networks, behavioral neuroscience, tissue engineering, neuroregeneration and brain repair.
Advanced microscopy: The Roy J. Carver High Resolution Microscopy Facility provides access to advanced instrumentation for visualizing biological specimens and other materials, supporting research involving cellular and molecular biology.
Metabolomics and molecular analysis: The W.M. Keck Metabolomics Research Laboratory performs biological-sample analysis using mass-spectrometry-based techniques, while the Protein Facility provides protein, peptide and proteomics services.
Research presentation: Students are encouraged to present undergraduate research at local, regional and national conferences, developing scientific communication, presentation and professional networking skills.
Internships and field experiences: The Biology Program identifies internships, study-abroad field trips and undergraduate research as high-impact experiential-learning opportunities; the official program information does not identify a specific internship exclusively for the Neurobiology track.
Software/digital tools: The official undergraduate Neurobiology/ Biology pages do not identify a specific software package as a required program tool; computational neuroscience is, however, an established research area within Iowa State's neuroscience program.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology with a Neurobiology focus gives students a strong foundation in biological sciences while allowing them to develop interests in neuroscience, cellular biology, genetics and human health. Graduates can enter laboratory and research positions or use the degree as preparation for graduate and professional schools, including medicine, physical therapy and physician assistant programs.

Career roles: Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Biological Technician, Biology Researcher.
Career services: Iowa State's LAS Career Services provides support with resumes, cover letters, interviews, job and internship searches, networking and salary information, while CyHire provides access to full-time and internship opportunities.
Career fairs: Biology students can participate in the People to People Career Fair, Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Day, and Business, Industry and Technology Career Fair, providing opportunities to connect with employers.
Employment & salary: Iowa State's 2023–24 CALS salary data reports $53,875 average, $42,000 low and $70,000 high for the four Biology B.S. graduates who reported salaries; these figures are specific to reported Iowa State Biology graduates and should not be treated as a guaranteed starting salary.
Biological-sciences employment: In Iowa State's broader 2023–24 Biological Sciences regional salary survey, reported roles included Biologist, Lab/Research Technician, Microbiologist and Public Health Specialist, with a $44,126 average across 145 reported salaries.
Research opportunities: The Biology Program has 50+ faculty members across Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology and Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, with many faculty operating research laboratories. Biology-related research can count toward degree requirements through BIOL 2990 and BIOL 4990.
Industry connections: CALS Career Services maintains relationships with employers and facilitates employer visits, campus interviews and postings for full-time, internship and summer positions through CyHire and other university channels.
Professional development: Undergraduate researchers can present their work at local, regional and national conferences, building scientific communication and professional networking experience.
Accreditation value: The Biology program does not identify a specialized professional accreditation on its official program pages. Iowa State University itself is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with accreditation reaffirmed through the 2035–36 academic year.
Graduation outcomes: The Biology degree prepares students for employment in biological-science settings and for further education; Iowa State specifically identifies graduate study and professional programs such as human medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy and veterinary medicine as progression routes.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue graduate study in areas such as Neuroscience, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Genetics and Genomics, or related biological sciences. Iowa State's Neuroscience graduate program offers M.S. and Ph.D.-level study, while the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology program offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with opportunities for independent research in advanced laboratories.