University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

BS in Neuroscience

The Bachelor of Neuroscience is designed to meet the modern demands of neuroscience and caters specifically to students interested in research or clinical careers. This degree is designed to place increased importance on the interdisciplinary nature of the field of neuroscience, and build professional and research skills along with knowledge.At the heart of this degree plan is the flexibility for students to pursue their own interests and customize their education to serve their career goals.

The BS in Neuroscience has two tracks: Biology and Psychology

Marketable Skills

  1. Communication: Reach mutual understanding through the effective exchange of information, ideas, and feelings.
  2. Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate issues in order to solve problems and develop informed opinions.
  3. Organization: Use resources effectively and efficiently in order to stay focused on different tasks.
  4. Problem-solving: Find solutions to difficult or complex issues.
  5. Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question.
  6. Time management: Prioritize goals and organize time to be more productive and efficient.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Factual Knowledge/Critical Thinking
  2. Understanding and Applying Key Principles
  3. Students are able to design experiments (or otherwise test scientific hypotheses)
  4. Students are expected to carry out basic experiments or other hypothesis testing in the laboratory and/or the field.
  5. Students will be able communicate orally, in writing, and develop collaborative skills.

Fast Track

The Fast-Track Program enables outstanding undergraduate UTEP students to receive both undergraduate and graduate credit for up to 15 hours of UTEP course work as determined by participating Master's and Doctoral programs.  Not all undergraduate programs have elected to participate in the Fast Track option, so students should see their departmental graduate advisor for information about requirements and guidelines. A list of courses that have been approved for possible use at the graduate level is found here

Any M.S. degree in the Biological Sciences department/Any Undergraduate degree implemented by the Biological Sciences Department
BIOL 5130Seminar1
BIOL 5131Ethical, Soc/Pol Dimensions1
BIOL 5301Select Adv Topics Biol Science3
BIOL 5305Herpetology3
BIOL 53073
BIOL 5308Rsrch Funding & Prof Developmt3
BIOL 5313Biogeography3
BIOL 5316Biosystematics3
BIOL 53183
BIOL 5322Advances/Evolutionary Theory3
BIOL 53233
BIOL 53243
BIOL 5326Advances Immunological Concept3
BIOL 5327Advances in Ecological Theory3
BIOL 5328Biostatistics3
BIOL 5329Physiology of Bacterial Cell3
BIOL 5340Structure/Funct Macromolecules3
BIOL 53423
BIOL 53433
BIOL 5344Molecular Pathogenesis3
BIOL 53463
BIOL 5351Intro Bio I:Basic Seq. Comp.3
BIOL 5352Intro Bio II: Gene Find/Compar3
BIOL 53543
BIOL 5360Aquatic Ecology3

Degree Plan

Biology Track

University Core C42
Designated Core C
Intro-Computational Thinking
Calculus I
General Physics I
and General Physics II
OR
Introductory Mechanics
and Laboratory for PHYS 2320
and
Introductory Electromagnetism
and Laboratory for PHYS 2321
Introduction to Psychology
Major Courses
Required:
BIOL 1107Topics in Study of Life I1
BIOL 1305General Biology3
PSYC 1303Statistical Methods3
or STAT 2480 Elementary Statistical Methods
PSYC 3101Lab for Gen Exper Psyc1
PSYC 3201Gen Experimental Psychology2
BIOL 2340Introductory Neuroscience3
or PSYC 2324 Introductory Neuroscience
BIOL 4375Neuroscience Capstone3
or PSYC 4375 Neuroscience Capstone
Chemistry Courses
Required:
CHEM 1105Laboratory for CHEM 13051
CHEM 1106Laboratory for CHEM 13061
CHEM 1305General Chemistry3
CHEM 1306General Chemistry3
CHEM 2124Lab for Organic Chemistry 23241
CHEM 2324Organic Chemistry3
CHEM 3330Biochem I:Struc & Function3
Biology Concentration
Required:
BIOL 1108Organismal Biology Laboratory1
BIOL 1306Organismal Biology3
BIOL 3192Professional Development Sem.1
ZOOL 4384Cellular Neuroscience3
Hours in Biological Sciences
Select eleven hours from the following:11
Molecular Cell Biology
and Molecular Cell Biol Laboratory
Genetics
Evolution
Special Problems
Special Problems
Genetic, Env & Evol - Anim Beh
Mammalian Physiology
Topics in Biology
Special Problems
Membrane Biology
Cellular Biochemistry
Pathogenic Microbiology
and Pathogenic Microbiology Lab
General Virology
Vertebrate Physiology Methods
Interdisciplinary Major Electives
Select twelve hours from the following, nine of which must be upper division:12
Artificial Intelligence
Biomedical Instrumentation
Substance Use & Society
Independent Study in Health
Philosophy of Mind
Intro to Abnormal Psychology
Learning & Memory
Sensation and Perception
Drugs of Abuse and Behavior
Behavior Modification
Cognitive Psychology
Health Psychology
Advanced Abnormal Psychology
Language and Cognition
Advanced Statistics
Psychobiology
Motivation & Emotion
Seminar in Psychology
Independent Research
Neural Bases of Spch and Lang
Probability and Statistics
Women's Studies:Special Topics
Additional Coursework
Select 12 hours in consultation with advisor, 4 hours must be upper division12
Total Hours120

C Course requires a grade of C or better

Psychology Track 

University Core C42
Designated Core C
CS 1310Intro-Computational Thinking3
MATH 1411Calculus I4
PHYS 1403
PHYS 1404
General Physics I
and General Physics II
8
OR
PHYS 2320
PHYS 2120
Introductory Mechanics
and Laboratory for PHYS 2320
4
and
PHYS 2321
PHYS 2121
Introductory Electromagnetism
and Laboratory for PHYS 2321
4
PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology3
Major Courses
Required:
BIOL 1107Topics in Study of Life I1
BIOL 1305General Biology3
PSYC 1303Statistical Methods3
or STAT 2480 Elementary Statistical Methods
PSYC 3101Lab for Gen Exper Psyc1
PSYC 3201Gen Experimental Psychology2
BIOL 2340Introductory Neuroscience3
or PSYC 2324 Introductory Neuroscience
BIOL 4375Neuroscience Capstone3
or PSYC 4375 Neuroscience Capstone
Chemistry Courses
CHEM 1105Laboratory for CHEM 13051
CHEM 1106Laboratory for CHEM 13061
CHEM 1305General Chemistry3
CHEM 1306General Chemistry3
CHEM 2124Lab for Organic Chemistry 23241
CHEM 2324Organic Chemistry3
CHEM 3330Biochem I:Struc & Function3
Psychology Concentration
Required:
PSYC 3102Professional Development1
Hours in Psychology
Select eighteen hours from the following, of which fifteen must be upper-division:18
Intro to Abnormal Psychology
Learning & Memory
Sensation and Perception
Drugs of Abuse and Behavior
Behavior Modification
Cognitive Psychology
Health Psychology
Advanced Abnormal Psychology
Language and Cognition
Advanced Statistics
Psychobiology
Motivation & Emotion
Seminar in Psychology
Independent Research
Interdisciplinary Major Electives
Select twelve hours from the following, of which nine must be upper-division:12
Human Anat/Physiology I
and Human Anat/Physio Lab I
Molecular Cell Biology
and Molecular Cell Biol Laboratory
Evolution
Special Problems
Special Problems
Endocrinology
Genetic, Env & Evol - Anim Beh
Mammalian Physiology
Topics in Biology
Special Problems
Membrane Biology
Cellular Biochemistry
Artificial Intelligence
Biomedical Instrumentation
Substance Use & Society
Independent Study in Health
General Microbiology
and Gen Microbiology Laboratory
Pathogenic Microbiology
and Pathogenic Microbiology Lab
General Virology
Philosophy of Mind
Neural Bases of Spch and Lang
Probability and Statistics
Women's Studies:Special Topics
Vertebrate Physiology Methods
Cellular Neuroscience
Additional Coursework
Select 12 hours in consultation with advisor, 3 hours must be upper division12
Total Hours120

Course requires a grade of C or better 

4-Year Sample Degree Plan

BS Neuroscience - Psychology Concentration (Starting with Pre-Calculus)

BS NEUROSCIENCE- PSYCHOLOGY CONCENTRATION (STARTING WITH PRE-CALCULUS)
FRESHMAN
Fall
BIOL 1305
BIOL 1107
General Biology
and Topics in Study of Life I
4
MATH 1508Precalculus5
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
UNIV 1301Seminar/Critical Inquiry3
Spring
CHEM 1305
CHEM 1105
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1305
4
MATH 1411Calculus I4
PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology3
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
SOPHOMORE
Fall
ART 1300Art Appreciation3
BIOL 2340Introductory Neuroscience3
or PSYC 2324 Introductory Neuroscience
CHEM 1306
CHEM 1106
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1306
4
PHIL 2306Ethics3
STAT 2480Elementary Statistical Methods3-4
or PSYC 1303 Statistical Methods
Spring
CHEM 2324
CHEM 2124
Organic Chemistry
and Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324
4
COMM 1301Public Speaking3
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
PHYS 1403General Physics I4
PSYC 3201
PSYC 3101
Gen Experimental Psychology
and Lab for Gen Exper Psyc
3
JUNIOR
Fall
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
PHYS 1404General Physics II4
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
Biology Elective3
Psychology Elective3
Spring
CHEM 3330Biochem I:Struc & Function3
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Biology Elective3
Psychology Elective3
Other Electives 4
SENIOR
Fall
BIOL 3192Professional Development Sem.1
or PSYC 3102 Professional Development
Biology Elective3
Psychology Elective3
Psychology Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Spring
BIOL 4375Neuroscience Capstone3
or PSYC 4375 Neuroscience Capstone
Psychology Elective3
Psychology Elective3
Biology Electives3
Elective3
Total Hours125-126

 BS Neuroscience - Psychology Concentration (Starting with Calculus)

BS NEUROSCIENCE- PSYCHOLOGY CONCENTRATION (STARTING WITH CALCULUS)
FRESHMAN
Fall
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
UNIV 1301Seminar/Critical Inquiry3
CHEM 1305
CHEM 1105
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1305
4
BIOL 1305
BIOL 1107
General Biology
and Topics in Study of Life I
4
Spring
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology3
MATH 1411Calculus I4
CHEM 1306
CHEM 1106
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1306
4
CS 1310Intro-Computational Thinking3
SOPHOMORE
Fall
ART 1300Art Appreciation3
PHIL 2306Ethics3
BIOL 2340Introductory Neuroscience3
or PSYC 2324 Introductory Neuroscience
CHEM 2324
CHEM 2124
Organic Chemistry
and Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324
4
STAT 2480Elementary Statistical Methods3-4
or PSYC 1303 Statistical Methods
Spring
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
COMM 1301Public Speaking3
PHYS 1403General Physics I4
Interdis. Elective3
PSYC 3201
PSYC 3101
Gen Experimental Psychology
and Lab for Gen Exper Psyc
3
JUNIOR
Fall
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
PHYS 1404General Physics II4
CHEM 3330Biochem I:Struc & Function3
Psychology Elective3
Interdis. Elective (Upper Division)3
Spring
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
Interdis. Elective (Upper Division)3
Elective3
Psychology Elective3
Psychology Elective3
SENIOR
Fall
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Interdis. Elective (Upper Division)3
PSYC 3102Professional Development1
Elective3
Psychology Elective3
Spring
Elective3
BIOL 4375Neuroscience Capstone3
or PSYC 4375 Neuroscience Capstone
Elective 3
Psychology Elective3
Psychology Elective3
Total Hours122-123

BS Neuroscience - Biology Concentration (Starting with Pre-Calculus)

BS NEUROSCIENCE- BIOLOGY CONCENTRATION (STARTING WITH PRE-CALCULUS)
FRESHMAN
Fall
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
UNIV 1301Seminar/Critical Inquiry3
MATH 1508Precalculus5
BIOL 1305
BIOL 1107
General Biology
and Topics in Study of Life I
4
Spring
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology3
MATH 1411Calculus I4
CHEM 1305
CHEM 1105
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1305
4
BIOL 1306
BIOL 1108
Organismal Biology
and Organismal Biology Laboratory
4
SOPHOMORE
Fall
ART 1300Art Appreciation3
PHIL 2306Ethics3
BIOL 2340Introductory Neuroscience3
or PSYC 2324 Introductory Neuroscience
CHEM 1306
CHEM 1106
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1306
4
STAT 2480Elementary Statistical Methods3-4
or PSYC 1303 Statistical Methods
Spring
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
CS 1310Intro-Computational Thinking3
PHYS 1403General Physics I4
PSYC 3201
PSYC 3101
Gen Experimental Psychology
and Lab for Gen Exper Psyc
3
Interdis. Elective (upper division)3
JUNIOR
Fall
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
PHYS 1404General Physics II4
CHEM 2324
CHEM 2124
Organic Chemistry
and Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324
4
BIOL 3192Professional Development Sem.1
or PSYC 3102 Professional Development
Spring
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
CHEM 3330Biochem I:Struc & Function3
Interdis. Elective (upper division)3
Interdis. Elective (upper division)3
Biology Elective3
SENIOR
Fall
ZOOL 4384Cellular Neuroscience3
Elective3
Biology Elective3
Biology Elective3
Interdisciplinary Elective3
Spring
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Biology Elective3
BIOL 4375Neuroscience Capstone3
or PSYC 4375 Neuroscience Capstone
Total Hours125-126

BS Neuroscience - Biology Concentration (Starting with Calculus) 

BS NEUROSCIENCE- BIOLOGY CONCENTRATION (STARTING WITH CALCULUS)
FRESHMAN
Fall
BIOL 1305
BIOL 1107
General Biology
and Topics in Study of Life I
4
CHEM 1305
CHEM 1105
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1305
4
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
UNIV 1301Seminar/Critical Inquiry3
Spring
BIOL 1306
BIOL 1108
Organismal Biology
and Organismal Biology Laboratory
4
CHEM 1306
CHEM 1106
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1306
4
CS 1310Intro-Computational Thinking3
MATH 1411Calculus I4
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
SOPHOMORE
Fall
ART 1300Art Appreciation3
BIOL 2340Introductory Neuroscience3
or PSYC 2324 Introductory Neuroscience
CHEM 2324
CHEM 2124
Organic Chemistry
and Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324
4
PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology3
STAT 2480Elementary Statistical Methods3-4
or PSYC 1303 Statistical Methods
Spring
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
PHIL 2306Ethics3
PHYS 1403General Physics I4
PSYC 3201
PSYC 3101
Gen Experimental Psychology
and Lab for Gen Exper Psyc
3
Interdis. Elective (upper division)3
JUNIOR
Fall
BIOL 3192Professional Development Sem.1
or PSYC 3102 Professional Development
COMM 1301Public Speaking3
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
PHYS 1404General Physics II4
Interdis. Elective (upper division)3
Spring
CHEM 3330Biochem I:Struc & Function3
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
Upper-Division Biology Elective3
Upper-Division Biology Elective3
Interdis. Elective (upper division)3
SENIOR
Fall
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
ZOOL 4384Cellular Neuroscience3
Upper-Division Elective3
Interdisciplinary Elective3
Biology Elective3
Spring
BIOL 4375Neuroscience Capstone3
or PSYC 4375 Neuroscience Capstone
Upper-Division Elective3
Biology Elective3
Upper-Division Biology Elective3
Total Hours120-121