Neuroscience
What this major studies in college, the health tracks it can lead to, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
Neuroscience draws on techniques and findings from several academic disciplines, and its neuroscience major is open to all undergraduate students. [1]
Typical college courses
The University of Pennsylvania's Introduction to Brain and Behavior (NRSC 1110) also starts with the structure and function of the vertebrate nervous system, from the cellular basis of how neurons work to motor control, the senses, motivated behaviors and higher mental processes. [2]
The neuroscience B.S. also requires, each with a grade of C or better, Principles of Biology, How Cells Function, Molecular Genetics, general, analytical and organic chemistry, programming, calculus I and II, physics I and II, and General Psychology. [1]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.S. in neuroscience, 2026–2027 catalog. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: UNC-Chapel Hill catalog) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Neuroscience | Required in this example programThe neuroscience B.S. core starts with Introduction to Neuroscience. [1] | Introduction to Neuroscience (NSCI 175) covers how the nervous system is built and works: its anatomy, its molecules and cells, the sensory and motor systems, current research methods, and how it produces behavior and thinking. [3] | No requisites are listed for it. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Neurons and neurotransmitters · The brain and nervous system · Sensation: vision and hearing · Nervous tissue and the nerve impulse · The brain and spinal cord | |||
| Two of: Neuropsychopharmacology, Learning, Sensation and Perception | One of the choices in this example programThe core also asks for two of three courses: Neuropsychopharmacology, Learning, and Sensation and Perception. [1] | Neuropsychopharmacology (NSCI 221) introduces the science of how drugs affect the brain and behavior, focusing on drugs of abuse and drugs used in treatment, Learning (NSCI 222) covers Pavlovian and operant conditioning and learning theory, and Sensation and Perception (NSCI 225) covers vision, hearing and the other senses. [3] | Each comes after Introduction to Neuroscience (NSCI 175), or, as an alternative, after General Psychology (PSYC 101) for Learning and for Sensation and Perception, and after PSYC 101 with PSYC 220 for Neuropsychopharmacology. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Classical conditioning · Operant conditioning · Sensation: vision and hearing · Perception and illusions · Attention, consciousness and substances | |||
| Statistics (one course) | One of the choices in this example programThe core requires one statistics course (PSYC 210, STOR 120 or STOR 155) and one research methods course. [1] | Introduction to Data Models and Inference (STOR 155) covers data analysis, correlation and regression, sampling and experimental design, basic probability, and hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. [4] | It comes after MATH 110. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Measures of center · Measures of spread · The normal model · Conditional probability and independence · Confidence intervals for a proportion · Significance and p-values | |||
| Principles of Biology, How Cells Function and Molecular Genetics | Required in this example program[1] | Principles of Biology (BIOL 101) introduces cells, genetics, evolution and ecology, How Cells Function (BIOL 103) builds a base in genetics, molecular biology and cell biology, and Molecular Genetics (BIOL 220) covers DNA, how genes are controlled, and how genetics affects development and disease. [5] | How Cells Function comes after BIOL 101, and Molecular Genetics comes after BIOL 103. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: The molecules of life · Cell structure: prokaryotes and eukaryotes · The cell membrane and transport · Cellular respiration · From DNA to protein · Meiosis, mutations and genetic variation | |||
| General Descriptive Chemistry I and II, with labs | Required in this example program[1] | The first course (CHEM 101) covers atoms and molecules, the forces between molecules, stoichiometry and gases, and the second (CHEM 102) covers solutions, energy changes and thermodynamics, reaction rates, equilibrium including acids and bases, and electrochemistry. [6] | CHEM 101 comes after MATH 110, and CHEM 102 comes after CHEM 101 and its lab, with a C- or better in CHEM 101. [6] |
Get ready with these topics: Atoms and electron arrangement · Periodic table patterns · Ionic and covalent bonding · The mole and molar mass · Stoichiometry and conservation of mass · Acids and bases · Quantities, units and rates · Literal equations and formulas | |||
| Introduction to Organic Chemistry I and II, with lab | Required in this example program[1] | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 261) studies how the structure of a molecule is found and how structure relates to reactivity, using molecules that matter in biology as examples, and Introduction to Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 262) continues it, with emphasis on the chemical properties of those molecules. [6] | CHEM 261 comes after CHEM 102 with a C- or better, and CHEM 262 comes after CHEM 261 with a C- or better. [6] |
Get ready with these topics: Ionic and covalent bonding · Lewis structures and molecular shape · Forces between particles and bulk properties · Organic chemistry basics · Acids and bases · Reaction rates and collision theory | |||
| General Psychology | Required in this example program[1] | General Psychology (PSYC 101) gives an overview of the scientific views used to understand behavior, including the biological, cognitive, developmental, social and psychopathological ones. [7] | No requisites are listed for it, and it is a prerequisite for all psychology courses. [7] |
Get ready with these topics: Research methods: experiments, correlation and ethics · Neurons and neurotransmitters · The brain and nervous system · How memory works · Development: infancy and childhood | |||
| Calculus of Functions of One Variable I and II | Required in this example program[1] | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I (MATH 231) covers limits, derivatives and integrals, and Calculus of Functions of One Variable II (MATH 232) covers integration techniques and uses, sequences and series, Taylor’s formula and simple differential equations. [8] | MATH 231 comes after MATH 110 and MATH 130 or placement by the department, and MATH 232 comes after MATH 231 with a C- or better. [8] |
Get ready with these topics: Functions: domain, range and composition · Exponential and logarithmic models · Identities and trig equations · Limits from graphs and tables · Limits algebraically and continuity · The tangent line problem | |||
Typical high school preparation
We did not find an official source that gives high school course advice for this major, so none is listed. For the high school courses colleges ask for in general, see the College Preparation page.
Pre-Health Foundations: coming soon
Health tracks this can lead to
Each card opens that track’s page. A reason is shown only where a cited source gives one. Every program sets its own prerequisites, so confirm them with each school.
Pre-Med (MD / DO)
Pre-PA (Physician Assistant)
Pre-Occupational Therapy (OT)
Master’s degree programs in occupational therapy typically include courses such as kinesiology, neuroscience and anatomy. [9]
Pre-PT (Physical Therapy)
Pre-Pharmacy (PharmD)
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Biological technicians
Biological technicians assist biological and medical scientists with tasks such as laboratory setup, data collection and observation. [10]
The median annual wage for biological technicians was $57,510 in May 2025. [10]
Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [10]
Biological technicians typically need a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field, such as physical science or natural resources. [10]
Clinical laboratory technologists
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. [11]
Some states require clinical laboratory technologists and technicians to be licensed. [11]
The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $62,930 in May 2025. [11]
Employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. [11]
Clinical laboratory technologists typically earn a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related life sciences field, such as biology or chemistry. [11]
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
What can you do with a neuroscience degree?
Biological technicians typically need a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field, such as physical science or natural resources. [10]
Clinical laboratory technologists typically earn a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related life sciences field, such as biology or chemistry. [11]
Master’s degree programs in occupational therapy typically include courses such as kinesiology, neuroscience and anatomy. [9]
Is neuroscience a good major for pre-med?
There are no required or even preferred majors that medical schools are looking for; students should make sure they fulfill the prerequisite coursework for the schools they want to apply to. [12]
Health professional schools do not prefer any specific major, and students are encouraged to choose fields of study that genuinely interest them while completing pre-health requirements. [13]
Your next step
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Sources
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Neuroscience Major, B.S.. https://catalog.unc.edu/undergraduate/programs-study/neuroscience-major-bs/. 2026–2027 Academic Catalog. Checked .
- University of Pennsylvania. Neuroscience (NRSC) course descriptions. https://catalog.upenn.edu/courses/nrsc/. current catalog; no edition label shown on this page. Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Neuroscience (NSCI) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/nsci/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Statistics and Operations Research (STOR) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/stor/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Biology (BIOL) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/biol/. 2026–2027 Academic Catalog. Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chemistry (CHEM) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/chem/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Psychology (PSYC) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/psyc/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mathematics (MATH) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/math/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Occupational Therapists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Biological Technicians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). How to Choose the Best Premed Major. https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/how-choose-best-premed-major. no edition stated (page footer © 2026). Checked .
- Cornell University, Health Professions Advising Center. Academic Preparation. https://prehealthadvising.cornell.edu/academic-preparation. no edition stated (footer © 2026; refers to course changes effective Fall 2026). Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.