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Undergraduate Program

Undergraduate Degrees in Physiology & Neuroscience

The Department of Physiology offers two Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degrees: Physiology and Neuroscience. In addition, we also offer a B.S./M.S. Degree in Physiology.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physiology
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Neuroscience
Bachelor and Master of Science (B.S./M.S.) Degree in Physiology


Physiology is a good major for students who like thinking about the human body and how it works. You would enjoy this major if you want to learn more about the function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ systems levels. 

Built on a foundation of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, the physioogy major is intended for students who are primarily interested in careers in research, industry, medicine, or other health-related fields, for which a thorough knowledge of physiology is necessary. This major is particularly suitable for students in the life sciences who plan further studies at the graduate or professional level. 

Note: If you are primarily interested in the skeletal and muscular systems and if you like thinking about the movement of the human body, you may want to look into the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in the College of Education instead. 

Neuroscience is a good major for students who like the biological study of the nervous system from a bottom-up view. That is, you would enjoy this major if you want to learn more about how individual cells (neurons) function, what their properties are, and how they communicate with each other.

From this bottom-up understanding, students then learn how the nervous system controls other organs, muscles and vessels, as well as the biological processes underpinning behavior and cognition. 

Note: If you are primarily interested in a broader study of human behavior and cognition from a top-down view, initially only focusing on observable behaviors and mental states in one's environment before considering the human body's smaller biological components, then you may want to look into the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Psychology in the College of Social Science instead.


Two Types of Double Majoring: Additional Major and 2nd Bachelor's/Dual Degree Options

Both the undergraduate Neuroscience and Physiology programs have an additional major and 2nd Bachelor's/dual degree option. 

  • Students need to complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  • No diploma is awarded for additional majors. 
  • An additional major is NOT noted on the diploma for the primary degree.
  • The additional major IS noted on the transcript upon graduation: "[NAME] has completed the departmental requirements for an additional major in [NAME OF ADDITIONAL MAJOR]." 
  • A minimum of 150 credits is required for two degrees. 
  • Students are held accountable to completing all the academic college and major requirements, including any minors and/or experiential learning requirements
  • Requirements for the second degree may be completed alongside those for the primary degree, or one degree may be completed before the second degree.
  • Upon graduation, the student will receive two diplomas.

In addition to course work, students can participate in student activities, such as joining a registered student organization like the MSU Physiology Society and the MSU Neuroscience Club, engaging in undergraduate research, and other department activities. 

Contact the Undergraduate Program
Department of Physiology Undergraduate Advising Team
Email: neupslugrad@msu.edu 

Contact for Prospective Students
Gabby Wahla, M.A.
Undergraduate Recruitment Coordinator
Email: natsci.explore@msu.edu  
Phone: 517-355-4470

B.S./M.S. Physiology Dual Degree Program
Email: PSLGradProgram@psl.msu.edu
Phone: 517-884-5075