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Prospective Neuroscience Students

The Neuroscience major leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and its associated coursework represents the true interdisciplinary nature of the field.  The University is home to approximately 85 neuroscientists conducting scholarly research in all of the sub-disciplines that make up the exciting and rapidly evolving area of neuroscience.  Our major capitalizes on the expertise and breadth of this renowned faculty group with members from 6 different colleges (Arts & Sciences; Biological Sciences; Medicine; Dentistry; Engineering; and Mathematics/Physical Sciences) and numerous departments within these colleges teaching the major’s  courses.  As a Neuroscience major you will benefit from being taught by the very world-class faculty that is generating the ground-breaking results described in your  textbooks! There are also opportunities for you to contribute to this state-of-the-art research  as an undergraduate research assistant.  You will also be able to participate in the Honors Program and various neuroscience-related internships.

A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Neuroscience provides not only a strong foundation for graduate work in Neuroscience and Psychology, but also for professional programs in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, veterinary science, and law.  In addition, as a rigorous B.S. degree in the life sciences it prepares you for employment, upon graduation, in a number of areas, including: positions in hospital or research laboratories, health services, and pharmaceutical sales.

The expert advising staff and faculty of the Neuroscience major look forward to helping you proceed through your academic program. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about our Neuroscience degree program.

  1. What are the pre-requisites for admission into the pre-neuroscience program?
    The only requirement is admission to The Ohio State University.

  2. I am taking some college courses at a community college. What would be most useful to take?
    General education classes are the best classes to take including mathematics, introductory psychology, writing, literature, and history. We prefer that students take their sciences (i.e. chemistry, biology, physics) at a 4-year institution.

  3. Which AP/IB classes should I take?
    If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or biomedical research, we recommend that you not use AP/IB credit for the sciences (i.e. chemistry, biology, physics) as many graduate and professional programs will not accept it. However, AP/IB classes in the sciences are very good preparation for OSU’s courses so do not be deterred from taking them. Many of our incoming students do use their AP/IB credit to fulfill some of their General Education (GE) requirements including introductory psychology, history, writing, etc. Click here to see OSU's guide for credit by examination.

  4. Which classes should I take in high school to prepare?
    Neuroscience is a biological science so coursework in biology, mathematics, and chemistry is helpful. In addition, courses that focus on writing and critical analysis of fiction/nonfiction will provide a solid foundation for scientific study.

  5. Will a major in neuroscience help me to get into medical school?
    Professional schools generally do not care what your undergraduate major is. OSU Medical School’s entering class of 2015 included students majoring in neuroscience, drama, finance, and music. A major in neuroscience will provide students with a broad scientific literacy and critical thinking skills that may be applied to medicine or other demanding fields.

  6. Will my credits transfer?
    Please visit transferology.com and the OSU Registrar's website to determine if your credits will transfer.

  7. What can I do with a degree in neuroscience?
    Please visit our Careers Page for some examples of careers that people do with a degree in neuroscience.

  8. Can I make an appointment to speak with an advisor?
    Yes! Please provide your general availability here. We are able to do in-person 8 AM to 4 PM (EST), Monday-Wednesday-Friday, and Zoom appointments on Tuesday-Thursday from 8 AM - 4 PM.