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Please visit the student handbook for our primary and secondary concentration requirements.
Neuro offers three tracks to explore the brain:
Provides the greatest focus on biology and neurobiology coursework and ensures a solid foundation in the life and physical sciences. Honors is optional.
Allows students to look beyond the biology of the brain and see how other disciplines (e.g., computer science, history of science, linguistics, or philosophy) approach the study of the mind. Honors track; requires an undergraduate thesis.
Allows students to develop skills in mathematics and computer science to analyze and model the signals of the brain. Honors is optional.
Neuroscience participates in Joint Concentrations. Full requirements can be viewed in the student handbook.
There are two types of honors for undergraduates: Latin honors † (summa, magna, cum laude) are determined by the College, while English honors (highest honors, high honors, honors) are determined by departments.
Calculation for English Honors
To be eligible for Honors and High Honors in Neuroscience (English Honors), students need to complete at least one semester (4 credits) of independent research during term time. This can be accomplished by taking either Neuro 91 or LS100/MCB100.
To be eligible for Highest Honors in Neuroscience, students need to complete an independent, research-based thesis.
| Neuro 91 or LS100 | A completed thesis | |
| HONORS | ✓ | ✓ |
| HIGH HONORS | ✓ | ✓ |
| HIGHEST HONORS | ✓ |
English Honors are determined by the Neuroscience Standing Committee and are influenced by several parameters: concentration GPA, rigor of completed courses, individual factors (e.g., academic improvement over four years), as well as the quality and commitment of a student’s research work.
The concentration GPA is calculated from courses that fulfill concentration requirements. In cases where students have taken supernumerary courses to fulfill a particular requirement, we will take your highest grade(s). Cutoffs change from year to year, but we will aim to award 15% of the graduating class Highest Honors, 20% High Honors, and 25% Honors. At all levels, the GPA cutoffs are reduced if a student completes a thesis. The amount lowered is dependent on the final thesis grade.
† English Honors are a pre-condition for Summa, Magna and Cum Laude in Field Latin Honors, but Latin Honors are based on the entirety of the student record. Only Latin Honors appears on the diploma. Students who do not receive English Honors may still be eligible for Cum Laude Latin Honors, depending on GPA (typically requires ~ 3.8 GPA). For more details on Latin Honors, please review the Handbook for Students. You can view the 2022 Latin Honors cutoffs here.
