Neuroscience - A.B., through the Princeton Neuroscience Institute

The Princeton Neuroscience Institute offers the neuroscience concentration for undergraduates with a strong interest in pursuing an in-depth study of the brain. Neuroscience is a broad interdisciplinary field requiring rigorous preparation in basic science. Students in this discipline are expected to understand the basic principles and approaches of modern neuroscience. The concentration provides an opportunity for the serious study of molecular, cellular, developmental, and systems neuroscience as it interfaces with cognitive and behavioral research. Since modern neuroscience is relying increasingly on quantitatively sophisticated methods and theory, students are also expected to gain competency in physics, mathematics, and computation. By offering a combination of courses and interdisciplinary research, students who complete the neuroscience concentration will be highly qualified to pursue graduate work at the best neuroscience, psychology, or biology graduate programs and will also have completed, in large part, the background requirements to enter medical or veterinary school. Other possible career paths for those with a neuroscience degree can be found here. 

Information and Departmental Plan of Study

Prerequisites

To enter the neuroscience concentration, students must have completed NEU 201 Fundamentals of Neuroscience, NEU 202 Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience, and MAT 103 Calculus I.

Note:

• Placement into or out of MAT 103 is decided by the Department of Mathematics.
• Students must receive a passing grade in each prerequisite course in order to enter the neuroscience concentration.
• Students do not need to take NEU 201 before NEU 202.

Program of Study

In addition to the prerequisites for entry into the program, concentrators must complete the following:

1. NEU 350 Laboratory in Principles of Neuroscience
2. NEU 314 Mathematical Tools for Neuroscience
3. PHY 101 Introductory Physics I or the equivalent (Note: Placement into or out of the physics course is decided by the Department of Physics.)
4. Five NEU courses from three of the following four subject areas: Molecular/Cellular/Disease, Circuits & Systems, Neural Computation, and Cognitive & Social Neuroscience. The list of current NEU electives is found here, plus three cognate courses.
5. One 200-level or higher course in cell biology from the following list:
   • MOL/EEB 214 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
   • MOL/EEB/CBE 215 Quantitative Principles in Cell and Molecular Biology
   • MOL 342 Genetics
   • EEB/MOL 211 Life on Earth: Chaos and Clockwork of Biological Design
6. One 200-level or higher course in behavior from the following list:
   • PSY 207 Psychopathology
   • PSY 255 Cognitive Psychology
   • PSY 252 Social Psychology
   • PSY/CGS 254 Developmental Psychology
   • PSY/NEU 338 Animal Learning and Decision Making: Psychological*
   • PSY/NEU 345 Sensation and Perception*
   • EEB 311 Animal Behavior
   • EEB 313 Behavioral Ecology
   • EEB 323 Integrative Dynamics of Animal Behavior
7. One course in statistics. SML 201 is recommended.

* Cross-listed NEU courses will not count twice in the elective total. Courses can only be used one time and in one elective category.

Independent Work

Junior Independent Work. In the fall semester of junior year, students are required to participate in tutorials, read papers from the original literature, and prepare papers on assigned topics. In the spring term, students write a research proposal with the guidance of a faculty adviser with whom they will eventually do their senior thesis.

Senior Independent Work. During the senior year each student, with the guidance of a faculty adviser, undertakes a major research effort. This research project can be a laboratory or independent study that will be written and presented as a senior thesis.

Senior Departmental Examination

Students are required to present their work to two thesis readers during an oral exam. The exam usually takes about 30 minutes and students should be prepared to describe the background of the thesis, defend its contents, and propose future directions. The grade for the oral defense will be the average of the two from the faculty members. 

Study Abroad

Students interested in study abroad should consult with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) as early as possible, to discuss how best to pursue this possibility and to obtain the necessary course approval.

Entry through the Integrated Science Sequence (ISC)

The first-year ISC sequence (ISC 231, 232, 233, 234) offers an alternative to the combination of MOL 214 or 215 (biology elective), COS 126 (quantitative thinking elective), and PHY 101-102 (required courses). ISC 236 Biochemistry and Neuroscience offers an alternative to NEU 201 (a prerequisite). ISC 235 Genetics and Genomics, offers and alternative to MOL 342, Genetics (and will thus count as a "biology" elective).

NEU Courses

A list of NEU courses can be found here.