Curriculum & Requirements
Interested first-year students should take Biology 107 and Biology 108 (required) and Neuroscience 105 (required; to be taken after Biology 107 or with AP (5) /IB HL (6 or 7) equivalent credit); other recommended courses include, but are not limited to Psychological Science 105, Cognitive Science 100, Chemistry 125.
For more information about the courses, the faculty, and what to do with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior after graduation, or if you have questions that are not answered on this website, please email neuroscienceandbehavior@vassar.edu.
Many of our majors pursue independent research during the academic year or during the summer under the auspices of Vassar’s Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI). They often present their work at the annual URSI Symposium, as well as international and national meetings such as the Society for Neurosciences meeting and others.
The student-run Majors Committee is very active and provides opportunities for majors to get together, discuss research opportunities, and other aspects of the major. You can contact the majors committee at nsbmajors@vassar.edu.
Courses
View the Neuroscience and Behavior Program in the Vassar College Catalogue:
Requirements
Major Pathway
Flowchart showing the pathway through the Neuroscience and Behavior major. Biology 107 is an entry course that leads to both Biology 108 and to the core course Neuroscience and Behavior 105. Biology 108 leads to a required Biology 2xx course and then a Biology 3xx course. Neuroscience and Behavior 105 leads directly to the core course Neuroscience and Behavior 301 and also to the psychology sequence. From Neuroscience and Behavior 105, students proceed to Psychology 200 and the core course Psychology/Neuroscience 241. Both are required before taking the core course Psychology/Neuroscience 229 or 249, followed by a required Psychology 3xx course. Psychology 105 is not required, but may be used as a prerequisite to accelerate the psychology pathway.
Step-by-Step Checklist
1. Start with the foundation
- Take Biology 107
2. Choose your Biology path
- Take Biology 108
- Take one approved Biology 2xx course
- Take one approved Biology 3xx course
3. Complete core Neuroscience courses
- Take Neuroscience and Behavior 105 (core course)
- Take Neuroscience and Behavior 301 (core course)
4. Complete the Psychology sequence
- Take Psychology 200 and Psychology/Neuroscience and Behavior 241 (241 is a core course)
- Take Psychology/Neuroscience and Behavior 229 or 249 (core course)
- Take one approved Psychology 3xx course
5. Optional acceleration
- Psychology 105 (optional; not required, but may be used as a prerequisite to move more quickly through the psychology pathway)
Honors Criteria
To be eligible for academic honors in Neuroscience and Behavior, majors must have:
- A GPA of at least 3.7 in the major.
- Evidence of superior integrative ability in the senior seminar.
- Evidence of independence and initiative in research, usually but not necessarily through NEUR 395, as demonstrated in our annual research symposium.
Study Away
Neuroscience and Behavior majors are often interested in study abroad opportunities. There are many programs that offer coursework that enhances the Neuroscience and Behavior major. If you are interested in studying abroad, you will need to do careful planning with your advisor, and we encourage you to begin your planning in your first year. For more information see the Office of International Programs.