BS in Neuroscience

Why Choose Mason Neuroscience?

You may want to understand how people think, perceive, decide, and behave. You may want to find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer’s or depression. Perhaps you want a career as a physician, dentist, veterinarian, or research scientist. Our Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (IPN) brings together scientists and physicians with the same goals as you.

Mason is the largest research-intensive university in Virginia, yet our Neuroscience Program maintains small classes and a warm, supportive environment. Our students benefit from the close-knit connections of a small college environment, with the resources and opportunities of a large research university.

Research

Our program has research faculty and courses that cover the gamut of your potential interests. You may choose to contribute as an independent team member in a research lab, apply to summer or semester-long research program, or take one of our research-intensive lab courses that are unique to Mason.

Core courses in Biology (7-8 Credits)

• BIOL 213 Cell Structure and Function (4 credits)
• Choose one of the following
  • BIOL 311 General Genetics (4 credits)
  • BIOL 322 Developmental Biology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 326 Animal Physiology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 425 Human Physiology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 430 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology (4 credits)

Courses in Chemistry with Lab (8 Credits)

• CHEM 211/213 General Chemistry I and Lab (4 credits)
• CHEM 212/214 General Chemistry II and Lab (4 credits)

Course in Mathematics (4-6 Credits)

• MATH 113 Analytical Geometry and Calculus I (4 credits) or MATH 123 Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part A (3 credits) and MATH 124 Calculus with Algebra/ Trigonometry, Part B (3 credits)

Course in Statistics (3-4 Credits)

Choose one of the following

• BIOL 214 Biostatistics (4 credits)
• STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (3 credits)
• PSYC 300 Statistics in Psychology (4 credits)
• MATH 352 Statistics (3 credits)

Course in Computer Science (3 Credits)

• CDS 130 Computing for Scientists

Courses in Physics with Lab (8 Credits)

• PHYS 243/244 College Physics I with Lab (4 credits) and PHYS 244/245 College Physics II with Lab (4 credits) or
• PHYS 160/161 University Physics I with Lab (4 credits) and PHYS 260/261 University Physics II with Lab (4 credits)

Courses in Psychology (11 Credits)

• PSYC 100 Basic Concepts in Psychology (3 credits)
• PSYC 375 Brain and Sensory Processes (3 credits)
• PSYC 376 Brain and Behavior (3 credits)
• PSYC 373 Biopsychology Lab (2 credits)

Core Courses in Neuroscience (6 Credits)

• NEUR 327 Cellular, Neurophysiological, and Pharmacological Neuroscience (3 credits)
• NEUR 335 Molecular, Developmental, and Systems Neuroscience (3 credits)

Course in Technical Writing (3 Credits)

• NEUR 411 Seminar in Neuroscience

Neuroscience electives (24 Credits)

See the full list of approved courses at catalog.gmu.edu.

Examples include

• NEUR 406 Zebrafsh Neurodevelopment Lab
• NEUR 407 Electrophysiology Lab
• NEUR 461 Special Topics in Neuroscience
  • Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory
  • Molecular Neuropharmacology
  • Behavioral Chemistry
  • Neuroethics
  • Neuronal Bases of Alzheimer's
• BENG 101 Introduction to Bioengineering
• BIOL 305/306 Microbiology with Lab
• CHEM 313/315 Organic Chemistry I with Lab
• PSYC 317 Cognitive Psychology
• And many others!

Research Opportunities

You have multiple ways to gain research experience at Mason and the Neuroscience program has faculty and courses that cover the gamut of your potential interests. We offer research-intensive courses directly through our curriculum. You can also contribute as an independent team member in a research lab, or develop your own research project and receive up to $5000 for the project through Mason’s Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR). Paid summer research opportunities are available through Mason’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). Many students go on to publish papers with mentors and present their findings at national conferences.

Opportunities to learn about your topic of interest range from looking closely at individual molecules (Biophysics and Molecular Neuroscience) to how neural circuits produce memory or behavior (Systems Neuroscience), to how humans make decisions (Neuroeconomics) to how the brain reacts in social situations (Social Neuroscience). Visit the Neuroscience Research and Centers page or the faculty bios for more information.

A degree in neuroscience can lead to careers in research, health disciplines (medical, dental, etc.), lab management, science policy, education, and more. Your neuroscience degree can be tailored to meet the needs of any career path, graduate school, or professional/health school.