Neuroscience - Cellular & Molecular

Dr. Allen Nicholson, Chair

www.temple.edu/biology/undergraduate/

Dr. Ed Gruberg, Faculty Advisor
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 319
215-204-9120
e.gruberg@temple.edu

Dr. Joel Sheffield, Faculty Advisor

Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 311
215-204-8839

jbs@temple.edu

The major in Neuroscience - Cellular & Molecular leading to a Bachelor of Science from the College of Science and Technology is designed to provide rigorous preparation in scientific knowledge at the molecular and cellular level to those students interested in pursuing advanced studies and professional development in neuroscience, medicine or a related field in life sciences.  In addition to neuroscience, graduates in the major will be well prepared for graduate or professional studies in cell or molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, biomedical sciences, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and many allied health fields.  Neuroscience graduates who do not pursue graduate studies will be prepared to accept technical positions in industry (pharmaceutical, biotech) or government and university laboratories.  Graduates will be ready to conduct research on a range of neuroscience and related topics at the level of cells or molecules, including nervous system function, development, disease or injury.

Bachelor of Science

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)

• Math 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.

• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement:  Biology 2296 and 3096.

• Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.

• The General Education Curriculum consists of approximately 25-26 s.h.  See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.

2. College Requirements

• 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
• 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (75-81 s.h.)

• Six (6) Biology courses are required (22 s.h.): Biology 1111 or 1911, 2112 or 2912, 2296, 3096, 3352 and 3358.

• Four (4) Chemistry courses with labs are required (16 s.h.): Chemistry 1031/1033, 1032/1034, 2201/2203 and 2202/2204. 

• Two (2) Mathematics courses are required (8 s.h.): Mathematics 1041 and 1042.

• Five (5) Neuroscience courses are required (15-19 s.h.): Neuroscience 1051 and four (4) neuroscience electives (two of the four electives must be within the College of Science & Technology).  Electives must be selected from the following list: Biology 3232, Biology 3312, Biology 3325, Biology 3333, Biology 3334, Biology 3354, Biology 3356, Biology 4375, CIS 1166, Neuroscience 3087, Psychology 2501, Psychology 2502.

• Two (2) Neuroscience Research/Independent Study courses are required (6-8 s.h.): Please select in consultation with the Neuroscience faculty advisor.  Students are required to have a B- or above average in all major courses in order to be allowed to enroll in the Neuroscience Research/Independent Study.

• Two (2) Physics courses are required (8 s.h.): Physics 2021 and 2022.

Note: A grade of C or higher in Chemistry 1031 and Chemistry 1032 is required to take Biology 1111 and Biology 2112. A grade of C or higher in Biology 1111 and Biology 2112 is required to take upper-level Biology courses, and a C- or higher is required unless otherwise specified in all other courses for the major, including course prerequisites.

Suggested Semester By Semester Plan

(F) - Fall only course.

(S) - Spring only course.

*Neuroscience Research/Independent Study courses should be determined in consultation with the neuroscience faculty advisor.  Students are required to have BOTH a B- or above in Biology 3352 AND a Science GPA of 2.7. The Science GPA is to consist of all Biology courses, Chemistry through Organic Chemistry, Calculus, and Physics.

^Neuroscience Electives

Calculation of Major GPA

The list of courses that are used to calculate major GPA is determined by the department. Students should consult with their academic advising unit for the applicable courses. In general, courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or a required course are not counted for the major GPA. This would include Biology 1011, for example.

A total of up to 3 s.h. of Biology research courses numbered lower than 4000 (to include: Biology 3082, 3181, 3183, 3281, 3481, 3681, and 3781) may be taken for a letter grade. Any additional credits in research courses in this category can be taken only on a CR/NC basis. No research courses numbered lower than 4000 may be used for Biology elective credit.

Distinction in the Major

Distinction in Neuroscience is awarded based upon the completion of two semesters of Biology 4591, submission of a paper, a poster presentation, AND maintaining a GPA of 3.2. Admission to the program for Distinction is by application to the Neuroscience Program during the junior year.