• 1 semester of college-level writing
• 2 semesters of Integrative Studies in the Arts & Humanities
• 2 semesters of Integrative Studies in the Social Sciences 

• _{NOTE: ISB & ISP requirements are fulfilled by the required Biology and Chemistry courses as part of the Alternative Track to complete the Integrated Science University Requirements.}  
• _{Honors College: Honors College students must take Honors Writing (WRA 195H), 2 Arts & Humanities (AH) substitutions, and 2 Social Science (SS) Substitutions. IAH and ISS courses must be Honors sections to count towards substitutions.} 
• _{University Diversity Distribution: For IAH and ISS courses, students must take at least one course focused on a National (N) topic and one course focused on an International (I) or Multicultural (D) topic.} 

• 1 semester of survey of calculus or calculus I
• 1 semester of statistics (cannot be STT 200)
• 2 semesters of biology with 1 semester of lab
  • Molecular and cellular biology
  • Molecular and cellular biology lab
  • Organismal and population biology
• 2 semesters of general chemistry with 1 semester of lab
• 2 semesters of organic chemistry
• 2 semesters of physics
• 1 semester of introductory psychology

• 2 semesters of introduction to neuroscience I and II
• 1 semester of neuroscience laboratory
• 1 semester of cellular & molecular neuroscience
• 1 semester of behavioral & cognitive neuroscience
• 1 semester of communication in neuroscience
• 1 or 2 semesters of physiology covering all the major organ systems
• 1 semester of biochemistry
• 1 semester of either fundamental genetics or eukaryotic cell biology
• 1 semester of 300 or 400-level neuroscience elective

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits
• Earn a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
• Earn a minimum Major GPA of 2.0 or better
  • NatSci NEU: The major GPA is calculated using all MSU numerical grades earned in BS 162, CEM 251, CEM 252, PSY 101, and all upper-level science courses
  • Briggs NEU: The major GPA is calculated using all grades earned in the upper-level science requirements, CEM 251, CEM 252, PSY 101, and all upper-level science courses
• Complete a minimum of 30 credits at MSU with a minimum of 27 credits on the East Lansing campus after reaching junior standing (56+ credits)
• No more than 10 of the last 30 credits may be transferred from another 4-year or 2-year institution, PRIOR APPROVAL IS REQUIRED
• No more than 60 credits from a community college will be allowed
• With the exception of courses taken during the Spring 2023 Semester, courses used to satisfy specific degree requirements cannot be taken as Credit/No Credit (CR/NC)

• 1 semester of college-level writing
• 2 semesters of Integrative Studies in the Arts & Humanities
• 2 semesters of Integrative Studies in the Social Sciences 

• _{NOTE: ISB & ISP requirements are fulfilled by the required Biology and Chemistry courses as part of the Alternative Track to complete the Integrated Science University Requirements.}  
• _{Honors College: Honors College students must take Honors Writing (WRA 195H), 2 Arts & Humanities (AH) substitutions, and 2 Social Science (SS) Substitutions. IAH and ISS courses must be Honors sections to count towards substitutions.} 
• _{University Diversity Distribution: For IAH and ISS courses, students must take at least one course focused on a National (N) topic and one course focused on an International (I) or Multicultural (D) topic.} 

• 1 semester of survey of calculus or calculus I
• 1 semester of statistics (cannot be STT 200)
• 2 semesters of biology with 1 semester of lab
  • Molecular and cellular biology
  • Molecular and cellular biology lab
  • Organismal and population biology
• 1 semester of general chemistry with 1 semester of lab
• 2 semesters of organic chemistry
• 2 semesters of physics
• 1 semester of introductory psychology

• 2 semesters of introduction to neuroscience I and II
• 1 semester of neuroscience laboratory
• 1 or 2 semesters of physiology covering all the major organ systems
• 1 semester of biochemistry
• 1 semester of either fundamental genetics or eukaryotic cell biology
• 1 semester of pharmacology

(Effective Fall 2025: Legacy Curriculum students can choose any accepted concentration course listed in the degree requirements linked above to complete their concentration requirement for the major. At least 6 credits of concentration coursework must be 300 or 400-level courses)

Students must complete 15 credits in one of three concentration areas

Cellular and Developmental Concentration

This concentration focuses on the structure and function of the nervous system, looking at the basic biological processes of neurons and support cells of the nervous system. Because cellular neuroscience draws lots of its research techniques from molecular biology, there are opportunities to take molecular biology-focused courses. Topics covered can include the physiology of neurons, synaptic transmission, and cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease and addiction.

Behavioral and Systems Concentration

This concentration focuses on how neurons work together in networks (systems) to understand the biological mechanisms underlying behavior, or actions. The interplay between the nervous system/brain, behavior, and environment are also considered. Topics covered can include sensory processes, genetic and molecular mechanisms of behavior, motivation, and even the neurobiology of disease and addiction.

Cognitive and Computational Concentration

This concentration focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying mental process (i.e., cognition). Topics covered can include learning, memory, decision-making, and language acquisition. The goal is to learn more about the neural connections within the human brain that allows the brain to function and achieve performance, especially as it relates to forming and controlling thoughts.

Note: There can be a more computational/mathematical approach to this concentration if you wish to take more computational courses. The computational aspect of the concentration—of which there can be little to none if you prefer—is focused on using mathematical models/computer simulations to describe how electrical and chemical signals are used in the brain to represent and process information. 

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits
• Earn a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
• Earn a minimum Major GPA of 2.0 or better
  • NatSci NEU: The major GPA is calculated using all MSU numerical grades earned in BS 162, CEM 251, CEM 252, PSY 101, NEU 301, NEU 302, NEU 311L, PSL 310, BMB 401, IBIO 341/MMG 409, PHM 431/PHM 350, and all concentration courses
  • Briggs NEU: The major GPA is calculated using all grades earned in the upper-level science requirements, CEM 251, CEM 252, PSY 101, NEU 301, NEU 302, NEU 311L, PSL 310, BMB 401, IBIO 341/MMG 409, PHM 431/PHM 350, and all concentration courses
• Complete a minimum of 30 credits at MSU with a minimum of 27 credits on the East Lansing campus after reaching junior standing (56+ credits)
• No more than 10 of the last 30 credits may be transferred from another 4-year or 2-year institution, PRIOR APPROVAL IS REQUIRED
• No more than 60 credits from a community college will be allowed
• With the exception of courses taken during the Spring 2023 Semester, courses used to satisfy specific degree requirements cannot be taken as Credit/No Credit (CR/NC)

To Preface: Faculty are always thinking about the curriculum and ways to improve the degree. The goal of these changes are as follows: 

• Create better alignment of the NEU general/basic science requirements to closely match other biological science majors’ general/basic science requirements  

• Provide a defined core curriculum that dives deeper into fundamental neuroscience concepts  

• Offer consistent learning outcomes across the entire major for all neuroscience students 

The following requirements were REMOVED from the Fall 2024 Curriculum:  

• 15-credit concentration requirement  
• Pharmacology requirement  

The following requirements were ADDED to the Fall 2024 Curriculum:   

• STT 464 as one of the major’s statistics options  
• CEM 142  
• NEU 101  
• NEU 401, NEU 402, and NEU 403  
• 300-level or 400-level NEU elective requirement 

For returning neuroscience students who have already declared their major, getting “grandfathered” into the Legacy Curriculum means you do not have to switch to the Fall 2024 Curriculum. This situation means all the requirements you see on https://student.msu.edu > Academic Progress are still valid, and you can finish your Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience under these requirements.  

No.  

Once the change to the Fall 2024 Curriculum is final, students grandfathered into the Legacy Curriculum who chose to switch to the Fall 2024 Curriculum CANNOT switch back. 

Any returning student pursuing another major who wishes to change their major during Fall 2024 and beyond must follow the new curriculum. This rule also includes any undeclared Lyman Briggs students who have intentions to pursue a Neuroscience major.  

Returning students who wish to pursue either an additional major or 2nd B.S. in Neuroscience during Fall 2024 and beyond must also follow the Fall 2024 Curriculum. 

All students whose first semester at MSU is Fall 2024 must follow the Fall 2024 Curriculum. This rule applies to students who started New Student Orientation (NSO) as a Neuroscience major or changed their major to Neuroscience during or after NSO.