Requirements
Admissions
To apply to the major, you need to have the following credentials:
- A minimum 3.0 GPA overall and 3.0 GPA for neuroscience major courses.
- Sophomore/Junior standing, or advance permission of Neuroscience Director (Note: A minimum of two full semesters in the major is required for graduation).
- At least one semester in residence at Queens College that includes completion of at least 7 credits of the major.
- A strong interest in conducting laboratory research as part of your curriculum.
Applications are accepted and reviewed each semester, with application due dates of October 1 and March 1 (or first business day after those dates if they fall on a weekend). Applications may be downloaded by clicking HERE .
Minimum Requirements to Remain within the Major
- A minimum 3.0 GPA overall and 3.0 GPA for neuroscience major courses.
- Placement in an approved research laboratory no later than the beginning of the senior year, although earlier research placements are strongly recommended.
Students in the Neuroscience Program will be placed on probation for one semester if their GPA falls below 3.0. Students will have one semester to bring their GPA back above 3.0 or they will be removed from the Program.
Graduation Requirements
- Two full semesters in the major and successful completion of all course requirements (see curriculum).
- Completion of all Queens College graduation requirements.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA overall and 3.0 GPA for neuroscience major courses.
- Completion of a minimum of one year of research with an approved Queens College mentor (see faculty) with whom you did your thesis.
- Submission of a honors thesis, approved by your research mentor, and a current CV.
- Oral presentation of your thesis research.
Accelerated BA/MA Degree Program
For students whose goal it is to obtain a Masters degree in Neuroscience, Queens College offers an Accelerated Masters program in Neuroscience. This program allows undergraduate Neuroscience majors to take graduate courses as electives in their senior year, which then are applied toward completing both their BA and Masters degrees. Upon completion of their undergraduate Neuroscience BA degree, students in this program continue to complete their Masters degree in Behavioral Neuroscience.
For more information on the BA/MA program and to download an application, click here.
Curriculum
Students must take at least 55 credit hours including: (You may view all course descriptions here.)
Required Courses:
Courses | Credits |
Psy 101: Introductory Psychology | 4 |
Psy 107.1 & 107.3/Bio 230: Statistics | 4 |
Psy 213W: Experimental Methods | 4 |
Psy 243: Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
Psy 391/Bio 390-395/Chem 391-395/HMNS 291,391* | 3 |
Bio 105 & 106: Introductory Biology I and II** | 8 |
Bio 286: Cell Biology | 3 |
Choose from one of the following: | 4 |
Bio 373: Neurobiology | |
Psy 316/Bio 385.4: Advanced Experimental: Neurobiology Laboratory | |
Chem 113.1 & 113.4 & 114.1 & 114.4: Introductory Chemistry I and II** | 10 |
Total credits from required courses: | 43 |
*This reflects research thesis credit and is taken in the student’s last semester. Students must consult with their research mentor/HMNS Director to arrange to take these credits.
**These courses are also required pre-med courses.
Additional Elective (Students must take 12 credits from the following courses):
Psy 281/282: Special Topics (when relevant***) | 3 |
Already approved: Clinical Neuropsychology | |
Psy 260: Sensation and Perception | 3 |
If you choose Bio 373 in the required category, then you may select ONE course from the list of Advanced Experimental offerings: | |
Psy 311: Advanced Experimental: Learning | 4 |
Psy 312: Advanced Experimental: Sensation and Perception | 4 |
Psy 313: Advanced Experimental: Cognition | 4 |
Psy 316/Bio 385.4: Advanced Experimental: Neurobiology Laboratory | 4 |
Psy 319: Advanced Experimental: Memory | 4 |
Psy 342: Comparative Psychology | 3 |
Psy 345: Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
Psy 346: Neuroscience of Memory | 3 |
Psy 352: Psychopharmacology | 3 |
Bio 285: Genetics | 4 |
Bio 325: Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
Bio 326: Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
Bio 345: Animal Behavior | 4 |
Bio 354: Evolution | 4 |
Bio 365: Developmental Biology | 4 |
Bio 372: Physiology | 4 |
Chem 371: Biochemistry**** | 4 |
Total | 55 |
***to be determined by the Neuroscience Committee.
**** Students who take Chem 371 are advised that, if they also take Chem 376 (Biochemistry laboratory), then they will complete a minor in Chemistry.
NOTE: Elective and required courses applied to the Neuroscience major can not be credited towards the electives of a Biology major or minor.
Contact Us
- Giuseppe Cataldo
Director
Office: Razran 267 - Carolyn Pytte
Deputy Director
Office: Razran 368