Combined Neuroscience, BS & Physiology and Neuroscience, MS

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Program Description:

The Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology offers a combined 4+1 program leading to Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) degrees over a five year plan of study. The program allows 9 credit hours of overlapping courses, where credit is given at both the undergraduate (UG) and graduate (GR) level faciliating both BS and MS completion in five years.

The Program’s coursework focuses on foundational topics related to cellular and systems level physiology and neuroscience. Two different tracks will be available to complete the master’s degree requirements, a course option or a thesis option.  The thesis option is supplemented with training in fundamental research techniques, as well as opportunities to work with faculty members on cutting-edge research.

This Program will aid in students being competitively prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including, but not limited to:  scientific research, medicine, education, biotechnology, and scientific writing.

Admission Requirements

Only exceptionally well-prepared students are admitted to the program.  Qualified applicants must have the following:

• At least 90 credit hours by the end of the semester in which they are applying;
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on all undergraduate coursework, including undergraduate credits earned at other institutions and transferred to Wright State;
• Completion of NEU 3100, NEU 3200, as well as BMB 4210 and BMB 4230 or BMB 4001 with grades of “B” or better;
• Approval of the undergraduate program director;
• Approval of the graduate program director.

Program Learning Outcomes

The main goal of our program is to prepare students for careers in fields related to physiology and neuroscience and/or admission into graduate and further professional degree programs. The Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience portion of the program is focused on in-depth neuroscience content knowledge centered around four main learning goals: organization of the nervous system, cellular neurophysiology, information processing, and neural networks and behavior. In addition to the content knowledge, neuroscience majors will develop an array of broadly applicable skills, including: independent learning, ability to critically evaluate evidence, proficiency in a variety of laboratory research techniques, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, effective communication, quantitative literacy, ability to implement the scientific process, ability to problem solve, and research design competency.  Additionally, within the Physiology and Neuroscience Master of Science program students will undertake course work and/or research to provide expert level knowledge, critical reasoning, scientific analysis, and experimental design skills in order to prepare students for a career in the sciences or for further professional study.

For more information visit:

• Neuroscience, BS
• Physiology and Neuroscience, MS
• Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology
• College of Science and Mathematics

Program Requirements:

Note:  At the undergraduate level students must complete all CoSM courses required for the Program with a grade of “C” or better.  However, NEU 3100, NEU 3200, as well as BMB 4210 and BMB 4230 or BMB 4001 must be completed with grades of “B” or better for admission into the program.

I. Wright State Core: 44 Hours

ELEMENT 1 - COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2 - MATHEMATICS: 4 HOURS

Required:

• MTH 2240 - Applied Calculus Credit Hour(s): 4

• OR

• MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

ELEMENT 3 - GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 4 - ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5 - SOCIAL SCIENCES: 7 HOURS

Required Course:

• PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4
• PSY 1010L - Introduction to Psychology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

ELEMENT 6 - NATURAL SCIENCES: 8 HOURS

Required courses:

• SM 1010 - Scientific Thought and Reasoning Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1120L - Cells & Genes Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 10 HOURS

Required courses:

• CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
• CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2

II. Neuroscience Core Requirements: 25 Hours

• Neuroscience Core Courses:

• NEU 1010 - Introduction to the Neuroscience Program Credit Hour(s): 1
• NEU 1020 - The Neuroscience of Learning Credit Hour(s): 1
• NEU 2010 - Introduction of Neuroscience Research Credit Hour(s): 2
• NEU 3100 - How the Nervous System Works I Credit Hour(s): 4
• NEU 3200 - How the Nervous System Works II Credit Hour(s): 4

• Second Year Introduction to Neuroscience:

• PSY 3910 - Behavioral Neuroscience I Credit Hour(s): 3

• and

• PSY 3920 - Behavioral Neuroscience II Credit Hour(s): 3

• OR

• ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3100L - Human Structure Funct I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

• and

• ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

• Laboratory Research Experience:

  A 4000-level NEU elective course may count if 2 semesters of research have been completed.

• NEU 3400 - Advanced Neuroscience Lab Techniques: Microscopy Credit Hour(s): 4

• or

• PSY 3930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4

• or

• BIO 3050 - Animal Physiology Credit Hour(s): 5
• BIO 3050L - Animal Physiology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

• or

• BIO 3140 - Molecular Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3.5
• BIO 3140R - Molecular Biology Laboratory Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

• or

• BMB 3850 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3

• or

• PSY 3830 - Cognitive Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4

• Senior Capstone:

  5 credits of NEU 4990 must be completed for the NEU 4990 Capstone requirement.

• NEU 4020 - Senior Capstone: Neuroscience Laboratory Research Credit Hour(s): 2

• and

• NEU 4990 - Independent Research in Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

• OR

• NEU 4030 - Senior Capstone: Neuroscience Review Article Credit Hour(s): 2

• and

• NEU 4040 - Senior Capstone: Neuroscience Experimental Design Credit Hour(s): 2

III. Neuroscience Electives and Requirements: 12 Hours

• Required

   

• PN 6200 - Neuronal-Immune System Cross-Talk in Homeostasis Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 6400 - Development Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 6550 - Neuron-Glia Biology and Disease Credit Hour(s): 3

•  

• Choose one from the list below

• ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3100L - Human Structure Funct I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 3050 - Animal Physiology Credit Hour(s): 5
• BIO 3050L - Animal Physiology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 4020 - Current Literature in Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
• BIO 4420 - Advanced Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
• BIO 4460 - Advanced Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
• BMB 4400 - Human Microbiome Credit Hour(s): 3
• BMB 4444 - Cell Signaling Credit Hour(s): 3
• BMB 4450 - Medical Biochemistry Credit Hour(s): 3
• BMB 4700 - Molecular Biology of RNA Credit Hour(s): 3
• BMB 4750 - Molecular Biology of Cancer Credit Hour(s): 3
• NEU 3400 - Advanced Neuroscience Lab Techniques: Microscopy Credit Hour(s): 4
• NEU 4990 - Independent Research in Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PN 6300 - Medical Cell Biology and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3000 - Psychology Core Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PSY 3010 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credit Hour(s): 4
• PSY 3010L - Research Methods in Psychology I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• PSY 3020 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credit Hour(s): 4
• PSY 3020L - Research Methods in Psychology II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• PSY 3210 - Cognition and Learning Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3710 - Perception Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3820 - Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3910 - Behavioral Neuroscience I Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3920 - Behavioral Neuroscience II Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
• PSY 4910 - Psychobiology of Stress Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 4920 - Clinical Neuroscience Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 4930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Education Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 4940 - Animal Behavior Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 4950 - Sexuality and Endocrinology Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 4960 - Fetal Behavior Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3
• SM 2100 - Interdisciplinary Scientific Inquiry - ASK Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. Related Course Requirements: 31 Hours

• BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1150L - Organisms & Ecosystems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

•  

• PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4

• and

• PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1

• and

• PHY 1120 - Principles of Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4

• and

• PHY 1120L - Principles of Physics Lab II Credit Hour(s): 1

• OR

• PHY 2400 - General Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
• PHY 2400L - General Physics I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1

• and

• PHY 2410 - General Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4

• and

• PHY 2410L - General Physics II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1

•  

• CHM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 2110L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hour(s): 2
• CHM 2120 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 2120L - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
• BMB 4210 - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I Credit Hour(s): 3

•  

• BMB 4230 - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II Credit Hour(s): 3

• OR

• BMB 4001 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry Credit Hour(s): 3 (if premed)

•  

• STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

V. General Electives: 8 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Master of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience - Thesis Option

Note that 9 hours of graduate courses will have already been completed during the undergraduate degree.  These courses are the following three, PN 6200, PN 6400 and PN 6550.

Core Courses (Required): 13 Hours

PN 7900 is taken twice.

• BMB 7500 - Molecular Biochemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 6100 - Human Physiology Credit Hour(s): 4
• PN 7750 - Neuroscience and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 7900 - Physiology Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1
• PN 8600 - Principles of Biomedical Research Credit Hour(s): 1

Experiential Component (Required): 6 Hours

• PN 8990 - Physiology Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 10

Electives: 2 Hours

Any of the listed courses can be used to complete the necessary 30 hours for the Master of Science degree in Physiology and Neuroscience.

• ANT 7000 - Topics of Instruction in Human Anatomy Credit Hour(s): 1
• ANT 7110 - Human Gross Anatomy Credit Hour(s): 6
• ANT 7150 - Advanced Human Embryology Credit Hour(s): 3
• ANT 7210 - Human Microanatomy Credit Hour(s): 3
• ANT 7310 - Human Neurobiology Credit Hour(s): 4
• PN 6300 - Medical Cell Biology and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 7010 - Selected Topics in Physiology Credit Hour(s): 1 to 5
• PN 7760 - Intercellular Communication Credit Hour(s): 3

Total: 141 Hours

Master of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience - Course Option

Note that 9 hours of graduate courses will have already been completed during the undergraduate degree.  These courses are PN 6200, PN 6400 and PN 6550.

Core Courses (Required): 15 Hours

PN 7900 is taken twice.

• BMB 7500 - Molecular Biochemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 6100 - Human Physiology Credit Hour(s): 4
• PN 6300 - Medical Cell Biology and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 7750 - Neuroscience and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 7900 - Physiology Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1

Experiential Component (Required): 4 Hours

• ANT 6030 - Biomedical Review Article Credit Hour(s): 2
• ANT 6040 - Biomedical Experimental Design Credit Hour(s): 2

Electives: 2 Hours

Any of the listed courses can be used to complete the necessary 30 hours for the Master of Science degree in Physiology and Neuroscience.

• ANT 7000 - Topics of Instruction in Human Anatomy Credit Hour(s): 1
• ANT 7110 - Human Gross Anatomy Credit Hour(s): 6
• ANT 7150 - Advanced Human Embryology Credit Hour(s): 3
• ANT 7210 - Human Microanatomy Credit Hour(s): 3
• ANT 7310 - Human Neurobiology Credit Hour(s): 4
• PN 7010 - Selected Topics in Physiology Credit Hour(s): 1 to 5
• PN 7760 - Intercellular Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
• PN 8600 - Principles of Biomedical Research Credit Hour(s): 1

Total: 141 Hours