Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience
Neuroscience Major
B.S. in Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and how its properties influence behavior and cognitive functions. In today’s market place, Neuroscience not only includes the study of neural basis of behaviors and disease, but also the ways humans interact with society and technology. Neuroscience is at the forefront of many medical and technological revolutions that are reshaping our world. New technologies are making it possible to peer into the human mind as it reacts and makes decisions. Robots and artificial intelligence are part of our everyday lives, and new medicines and engineering marvels are paving the way towards therapies for what was once thought to be incurable mental illnesses, spinal cord injuries, and even aging.
This interdisciplinary field integrates several disciplines, including psychology, biology, medicine, psychiatry, chemistry and physics, computer science and engineering. To provide students with a comprehensive background in Neuroscience, Texas A&M now offers an interdisciplinary Major in Neuroscience that is being supported by multiple departments and colleges across campus. Students completing the BS in Neuroscience will be well prepared for graduate study, professional school, or entry-level healthcare and technical occupations.
The Neuroscience program has four learning objectives:
(1) To provide students with a broad understanding of basic concepts in the field of neuroscience, with specific advanced knowledge in a subfield (molecular & cellular; behavioral & cognitive; translational & preclinical).
(2) To provide students with the ability to explain neuroscience concepts to the lay public.
(3) To enhance student understanding of diversity in all forms, including neuro-diversity, neurodevelopment, and individual differences.
(4) To provide students with strong writing and technical skills necessary to communicate and work in fields associated with neuroscience.
Career Opportunities and employment outlook for Neuroscience graduates.
Among the life sciences, Neuroscience is the fastest growing field of the 21st century. The field of Neuroscience is broad, offering rewarding career opportunities in health care, engineering fields such as robotics and AI, data sciences, the arts and entertainment, military research and development, government and public policy, business management and education. Nationwide, there is increasing need for employees trained in neuroscience. In part this interest is driven by steady changes in the employment market: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, for the period of 2014-2024, an increase of 7.4% in demand for life, physical, and social science occupations, and a 16.4% increase in demand for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations. Together, this represents an increase of about 1.5M jobs. Students completing a BS in Neuroscience will be well prepared to step straight into many high-tech entry-level jobs or continuing onto graduate study or professional school.
Neuroscience Concentrations
The Neuroscience major will offer students the option of choosing from among three different concentrations in Neuroscience. Students entering the program first complete foundational coursework in the life and physical sciences, followed by more specialized coursework in their area of interest. Each concentration is administered by a different department. To enroll or transfer into the Neuroscience program, students must contact the academic advising office of the department administering the concentration of interest. Students are eligible to take courses from all three concentrations to fulfill their degree requirements as long as they also complete the minimum requirements for their chosen focus area.
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience is administered by the Biology Department, and provides students with a solid foundation for pursuing careers in medicine and research. Specialized coursework emphasizes genetics, molecular and cellular underpinnings of nervous system functions, development and regeneration.
Degree plan for Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience is administered by the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and provides students with a strong foundation in human behaviors, with emphases in early development, learning and memory, cognition, aging, social neuroscience and substance abuse.
Pursuing a Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Major
Translational and Preclinical Neuroscience is administered by the Biomedical Sciences Program in the College of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with the Texas Health Science Center. This concentration offers specialized coursework and research opportunities in health and medical treatment of diseases of the nervous system.
Research Experiences in Neuroscience
Experience working in a neuroscience laboratory provides unique opportunities to learn new tools, techniques and develop professional skills valued by employers. All NRSC concentrations provide research experiences for undergraduate students, which may be completed by working in the labs of any participating Neuroscience faculty member at Texas A&M or the Health Science Center. Contact the Institute for Neuroscience Advising Office for help finding research opportunities and enrolling for research credits.