Neuroscience is the scientific study of the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral (nerves in body) nervous system. The neurobiology major at UW–Madison will provide a rigorous education in neuroscience principles that will prepare students for health-related careers (physician, physician assistant, veterinarian, dentist, neuroimaging technician, speech-language pathologist, neuropsychologist, drug rehabilitation counselor, physical therapists), academic careers (college and university faculty, research scientists, lab technician, K-12 teachers), and careers in pharmaceutical and biotech industries, venture capital and scientific consulting firms, medical and scientific journals, intellectual property law, neuroscience-related nonprofit organizations and foundations, and government agencies. UW–Madison is one of the leading universities in the world with more than 90 faculty engaged in neuroscience research and undergraduates will have access to this research faculty in formal classroom environments and through undergraduate research opportunities. Please see the Neurobiology Major website for more information.
About the Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to give students a solid foundation in basic biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics before going on to study neuroscience at the molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive levels. It is strongly encouraged that students engage in independent research in a neuroscience laboratory on campus. The Neurobiology Major Program Committee is committed to increasing opportunities for all students with interests in neuroscience and helping students accomplish their academic goals at UW–Madison. This major is tailored to attract students from a diverse array of backgrounds. Please see the Neurobiology Major website for more information.
How to Get in
The advisors for the Neurobiology Major are committed to providing students with first-rate guidance through the major to graduation and beyond. Most students are ready to declare a major by the end of the 3rd or 4th semester.
If you are interested in declaring the Neurobiology Major, you must first make an appointment to meet with an advisor.
See our website to schedule an appointment.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| Language | Complete the third unit of a language other than English. |
| LS Breadth | Complete: • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and • 12 credits of Social Science; and • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science. |
| Liberal Arts and Science Coursework | Complete at least 108 credits. |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level. |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | Complete at least 120 credits. |
| UW-Madison Experience | Complete both: • 30 credits in residence, overall, and • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit. |
| Quality of Work | • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison |
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Math, Statistics, Chemistry & Physics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (complete one): | 5 | |
| Survey of Calculus 1 | ||
| Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 | ||
| Statistics (complete one): | 3 | |
| Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
| General Chemistry (complete one): | 5-9 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | ||
| Advanced General Chemistry | ||
| Chemical Principles I and Chemical Principles II | ||
| Organic Chemistry (complete one): | 3-6 | |
| Elementary Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Physics (complete one) | 8-10 | |
| General Physics and General Physics | ||
| General Physics and General Physics | ||
| General Physics and General Physics | ||
| A Modern Introduction to Physics and A Modern Introduction to Physics | ||
| Total Credits | 24-33 | |
Biology and Neurobiology
Complete 30 credits from General Biology, Neurobiology, Lab/Research Experience and Additional Elective (if required) sections.
General Biology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of these three sequences: | ||
| Introductory Biology | 10 | |
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Biology Core Curriculum | 16-18 | |
| Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics | ||
| Cellular Biology | ||
| Principles of Physiology | ||
| Biological Interactions | ||
Plus two from: | ||
| Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Cellular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Animal Biology | 10 | |
| Animal Biology | ||
| Animal Biology Laboratory | ||
| General Botany | ||
Neurobiology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Neurobiology Courses | ||
| ZOOLOGY/PSYCH 523 | Neurobiology | 3 |
| PSYCH 454 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
| ZOOLOGY 500 | Undergraduate Neurobiology Seminar | 1 |
| Distributed Neuroscience Coursework—choose three courses | 9 | |
| Physiology 1 | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Physiology 1 | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry 1 | ||
| General Biochemistry II 1 | ||
| Molecular Control of Metabolism and Metabolic Disease 1 | ||
| Stem Cell Bioengineering 1 | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (Introduction to Neuroengineering) | ||
| Neural Basis of Communication | ||
| Neural Mechanisms of Speech, Hearing and Language | ||
| Mind, Brain and Education | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Educational Psychology (Brain Behavioral Development) | ||
| Neurogenetics | ||
| Neural Control of Movement | ||
| Lab Course in Neurobiology and Behavior | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Memory | ||
| Computational Neuroscience: From Single Cells to Whole Brain Models | ||
| Methods for Neuroimaging Research | ||
| Neuroscience of Consciousness and its Disorders | ||
NTP 670 | ||
| Special Topics (Functional Brain Imaging of Cognitive Disorders) | ||
| Special Topics (Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Damage) | ||
| Special Topics (Trauma and Physiology Therapy) | ||
| Special Topics (Neuroendocrinology) | ||
| Special Topics (Reproductive Neuroendocrinology) | ||
| Special Topics (Brain Mapping in Health and Disease: Applications) | ||
| Basic Sleep Mechanisms and Sleep Disorders: from Neurobiology to Sleep Medicine | ||
| Neuroscience of Psychedelics | ||
| Drugs and Their Actions | ||
| Pharmacology I | ||
| Psychology of Perception | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Depth Topic in Biological Science (Cognitive Neuroscience: Bridging Mind and Brain) | ||
| Hormones, Brain, and Behavior | ||
| Current Topics in Psychology (Neural Basis of Cognitive Control) | ||
| Current Topics in Psychology (Neuropsychology and Development) | ||
| Epigenetics and the Brain | ||
| Hormones and Behavior | ||
| Neuropharmacology | ||
| Topics in Biology (Brain Communication Evolution) | ||
| Topics in Biology (Music and the Brain) | ||
| Topics in Biology (Neuronal Cell Biology in Health Disease) | ||
| Topics in Biology (Neuroscience and Society) | ||
| Topics in Biology (Neural Movement Health Disease) | ||
| Topics in Biology (Neuroanatomy and Systems) | ||
| Topics in Biology (Cell Biology: Neurons and Neural Circuits) | ||
| Introduction to Animal Development 1 | ||
| Laboratory in Developmental Biology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Computer-based Gene and Disease/Disorder Research Lab | ||
| Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology | ||
| Biology of Mind | ||
| Neuroethology Seminar | ||
| Development of the Nervous System | ||
| Modeling Neurodevelopmental Disease | ||
| Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Seminar | ||
Lab/Research Experience
Choose one option from the 3 listed: Neuroscience Laboratory Course, or Directed Study, or Honors/Senior Thesis.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Neuroscience Laboratory Course—one course: 2 | ||
| Principles of Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Physiology | ||
| Computational Neuroscience: From Single Cells to Whole Brain Models | ||
| Laboratory in Developmental Biology | ||
| Computer-based Gene and Disease/Disorder Research Lab | ||
| Comparative Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Lab Course in Neurobiology and Behavior | ||
| 2. Directed Study—3 credits from: 3 | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Directed Studies | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Special Research Problems | ||
| Advanced Independent Studies | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Research Experience in Educational Psychology | ||
| Independent Reading Undergrad | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Independent Study in Human Cancer Biology | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Reading or Research | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Small Animal Cardiology Rotation | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Directed Studies in Molecular Biology | ||
| Neurosurgery: Directed in Study in Research | ||
| Directed Research in Neurology | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Special Research Problems | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Advanced Independent Study | ||
| Independent Work | ||
| Independent Reading | ||
| Mentored Research and Seminar | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Directed Studies in Zoology | ||
| 3. Honors/Senior Thesis (two semesters): | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis and Senior Thesis | ||
| Honors in Research and Honors in Research | ||
Additional Electives (if needed)
Students may take additional credits from the list of Distributed Neuroscience Coursework, Independent/Directed study, or the following list, to attain 30 credits in the major:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | ||
| Human Anatomy Laboratory | ||
| Veterinary Genetics | ||
| Reproductive Physiology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Quantitative Genetics | ||
| Human Anatomy-Kinesiology | ||
| General Biochemistry I | ||
| Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism | ||
| Protein and Enzyme Structure and Function | ||
| Prokaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Eukaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Mechanisms of Action of Vitamins and Minerals | ||
| Physiological Animal Ecology | ||
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| Eukaryotic Molecular Biology | ||
| Introductory Neuroscience | ||
| Introduction to Clinical Anatomy of Human Movement | ||
| Physiology of Exercise | ||
| Pathogenic Bacteriology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Parasitology | ||
| Biology of Viruses | ||
| Biology of Microorganisms | ||
| Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory | ||
| Host-Parasite Interactions | ||
| Diversity, Ecology and Evolution of Microorganisms | ||
| Microbial Genetics & Molecular Machines | ||
| Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry | ||
| Physiology of Microorganisms | ||
| Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Microbiology | ||
| Capstone Research Project in Microbiology | ||
| Advanced Microbial Genetics | ||
| Immunology | ||
| General Virology-Multiplication of Viruses | ||
| Microbiology at Atomic Resolution | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Neuroscience & Public Policy Seminar | ||
| Nutrition in the Life Span | ||
| Clinical Nutrition I | ||
| Introduction to Experimental Oncology | ||
| General Virology-Multiplication of Viruses | ||
| Laboratory Techniques in Pharmacology and Toxicology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Primate Psychology: Insights into Human Behavior | ||
| Depth Topic in Biological Science (Comparative Psychology: What Animals Think) | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates | ||
| Introduction to Animal Development | ||
| Paleobiology | ||
| Invertebrate Paleontology | ||
| Cell Biology |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all major courses
- 2.000 GPA on 15 upper-level major credits, taken in residence 4
- 15 credits in in the major, taken on the UW–Madison campus
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Neurobiology Major in consultation with the Neurobiology undergraduate advisor(s).
Honors in the Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major in Neurobiology, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.300 GPA for all major courses
- Complete 14 credits, taken for Honors, with individual grades of B or better, while in residence, to include:
- Two courses from PSYCH 454, ZOOLOGY/PSYCH 523, and ZOOLOGY 500
- One course from the Required Neuroscience or Distributed Neuroscience course lists (above), taken for honors credit
- A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis5, for a total of 6 credits, from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Honors in Research and Honors in Research | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis in Human Oncology 1 and Senior Honors Thesis in Human Oncology 2 | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis |
Footnotes
- 1
Students may apply only one DNS course toward the elective requirement
- 2
Lab courses may also count in the Distributed Neuroscience Coursework above.
- 3
Only Directed Study courses taken after—and not concurrent with—the completion of an Introductory Biology sequence are accepted in the major.
- 4
Major courses numbered 300–699 are considered upper-level.
- 5
The Senior Honors Thesis project must be approved by the Neurobiology Major Program Committee at least one month before beginning the first course (681). The project must focus on its relevance to a neuroscience-related topic. Please see the Neurobiology major website for more information.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and physics.
- Demonstrate understanding of the ionic basis for the neuronal membrane potential and action potential, and as well as the factors that determine neuronal excitability.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic mechanisms for synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter release, postsynaptic effects, and modulation of pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms. Predict how specific physiological and pathological conditions alter neuronal function at the cellular and synaptic levels.
- Differentiate between examples of neuroplasticity at cellular, systems, and organismal levels.
- Demonstrate understanding of central and peripheral neuroanatomy, basic functions of brain regions, and well-known neural pathways. Predict how localized disruptions of neuronal function alter behavior, motor function, or perception.
- Demonstrate understanding of basic principles underlying motor function, sensory function (auditory, visual, touch, taste), emotion, autonomic regulation, and higher order cognitive functions (language, memory, attention, decision-making).
- Demonstrate how experimental tools in neuroscience are used to address experimental questions, such as intra/extracellular recording, molecular biology techniques, immunohistochemical staining, fluorescent and electron microscopy, genetic manipulation, brain imaging, behavioral testing.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
The grid below is a suggested plan for finishing your Neurobiology major in 4 years. Please see an advisor for more information, as you may have completed some of the requirements listed.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A | 3 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | MATH 221 | 5 |
| Foreign Language (if required) | 4 | L&S Breadth | 3 |
| CHEM 103 or 109 | 4 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 1511 | 5 | BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | 5 |
| CHEM 343 | 3 | CHEM 345 | 3 |
| INTER-LS 210 (optional) | 1 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | PHYSICS 2072 | 5 |
| 12 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Declare the Major3 | PSYCH 454 | 3-4 | |
| ZOOLOGY/PSYCH 523 | 3 | Distributed Neuroscience Course | 2-4 |
| STAT 371 | 3 | L&S Breadth | 3 |
| L&S Breadth | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| PHYSICS 208 | 5 | Lab Research | 3 |
| Lab Research4 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Distributed Neuroscience Course | 3-4 | ZOOLOGY 500 | 1 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Distributed Neuroscience Course | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | L&S Breadth | 3 |
| Lab Research | 3 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| Lab Research | 3 | ||
| 16 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
There are several options for fulfilling the introductory biology requirement. See listed Requirements.
- 2
There are several options for fulfilling the Physics requirement. See listed Requirements.
- 3
Students must declare a major by the time they reach 86 credits.
- 4
It is recommended that students in the Neurobiology major participate in multiple semesters of research.
Advising and Careers
Neurobiology Major Advising
The advisors for the neurobiology major are committed to providing students with first-rate guidance through the major and to graduation. The neurobiology major advisors are also dedicated to helping a student focus their future plans after undergraduate study. If you are interested in declaring the neurobiology major, make an appointment to discuss this.
Contact Information
Catherine Auger
Birge Hall, Room B156
430 Lincoln Drive
cauger@wisc.edu
Starfish
India Viola
Birge Hall, Room 244
430 Lincoln Drive
irviola@wisc.edu
Starfish
Bob Wiedenhoeft
Birge Hall, Room 338
430 Lincoln Drive
robert.wiedenhoeft@wisc.edu
Starfish
L&S Career Resources
Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.
In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.
Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- Enroll in a Career Course - a great idea for first- and second-year students:
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Comm B General Education Requirement)
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- INTER-LS 260 Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Activate your Handshake account to apply for jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers recruiting UW-Madison students
- Learn about the impact SuccessWorks has on students' lives
People
The Neurobiology major is housed in the Department of Integrative Biology. The current leadership in the Neurobiology major consists of:
Neurobiology Major Staff
Catherine Auger, Director and Advisor
India Viola, Advisor
Bob Wiedenhoeft, Advisor
Neurobiology Major Steering Committee
Katie Drerup, Integrative Biology, Chair of Neurobiology Major
Raunak Sinha, Neuroscience
Tony Auger, Psychology
Xinyu Zhao, Neuroscience
David Ehrlich, Integrative Biology, iBio representative