Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
Fairfax, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jun 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* International student deadline is 1st of June of every year | Domestic student deadline is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Unraveling mysteries of the brain and its functions.
The bachelor of science in neuroscience is a 120-credit, interdisciplinary program emphasizing the relationship between the biology and chemistry of the nervous system and the behavior of an organism. The BS in neuroscience prepares students for graduate-level study in both medical school and doctoral and master's-level programs in neuroscience and other health-related fields, and work in the neuroscience field.
Program Highlights
- Our curriculum prepares students for careers in health sciences including medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and related allied health disciplines.
- Our neuroscience classes average under 20 students allowing you to get to know your peers and the neuroscience faculty.
Research Opportunities
You have multiple ways to gain research experience at Mason and the Neuroscience program has faculty and courses that cover the gamut of your potential interests. We offer research-intensive courses directly through our curriculum. You can also contribute as an independent team member in a research lab, or develop your own research project and receive up to $5000 for the project through Mason’s Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR). Paid summer research opportunities are available through Mason’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). Many students go on to publish papers with mentors and present their findings at national conferences.
Neuroscience is an excellent path if you are interested in research or a health discipline. In addition to graduate or professional health school, a degree in neuroscience could also lead to careers in
- Clinical research (ex: research assistant on a study for youth with autism spectrum disorders)
- Lab management
- Bio/medical equipment or pharmaceutical sales
- Grant writing or grant reviewer/administrator
- Education (ex: science teacher)
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Foundation Courses
Biology
- BIOL 213 Cell Structure and Function 4
Select one from the following: 3-4
- BIOL 311 General Genetics
- BIOL 322 Developmental Biology
- BIOL 326 Animal Physiology
- BIOL 425 Human Physiology
- BIOL 430 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Chemistry
- CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) 4
- CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) 4
Mathematics
Select one option (4 or 6 credits) from the following: 4-6
- MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core)
- MATH 123 & MATH 124 Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part A and Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part B (Mason Core)
Statistics
Select one course (3 or 4 credits) from the following: 3-4
- BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors
- STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)
- PSYC 300 Statistics in Psychology
- MATH 352 Statistics
Physics
Select one of the following sequences: 8
- PHYS 243 & PHYS 244 & PHYS 245 & PHYS 246 College Physics I (Mason Core) and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) and College Physics II (Mason Core) and College Physics II Lab (Mason Core)
- PHYS 160 & PHYS 161 & PHYS 260 & PHYS 261 University Physics I (Mason Core) and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core) and University Physics II (Mason Core) and University Physics II Laboratory (Mason Core)
Psychology
- PSYC 100 Basic Concepts in Psychology (Mason Core) 3
- PSYC 375 Brain and Sensory Processes 3
- PSYC 376 Brain and Behavior 3
Computer Science
- CDS 130 Computing for Scientists (Mason Core) 3
Core Courses in Neuroscience
- NEUR 327 & NEUR 328 Cellular Neuroscience and Cellular Neuroscience Lab 4
- NEUR 335 Developmental and Systems Neuroscience 3
Technical Writing
- NEUR 410 Current Topics in Neuroscience 3 or NEUR 411 Seminar in Neuroscience
- Required Psychology Lab Course 1
- PSYC 373 Biopsychology Laboratory 2
Total Credits 54-58
Major Electives
Students should consult with an advisor to choose appropriate elective courses, which must be approved by the director of the program. A sample of possible electives is given below. Only courses not already taken in the degree will apply as electives, with the exception of seminar and topics courses; a different topic must be addressed in the second instance of a seminar or topics course. Students may apply no more than 6 credits of courses with a grade of 'D' to this requirement.
Students intending to pursue a doctorate in neuroscience or a medical degree are advised to take CHEM 313 Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry Lab I.
Select 23 credits from the following: 23
- BENG 101 Introduction to Bioengineering
- BENG 313 Physiology for Engineers
- BENG 434 Computational Modelling of Neurons and Networks
- BIOL 305 Biology of Microorganisms
- BIOL 306 Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory
- BIOL 311 General Genetics
- BIOL 322 Developmental Biology
- BIOL 323 Lab for Developmental Biology
- BIOL 326 Animal Physiology
- BIOL 417 Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology (when topic is Foundations of the Mammalian Brain)
- BIOL 420 Vaccines
- BIOL 425 Human Physiology
- BIOL 426 Mechanisms of Aging
- BIOL 429 Biological Foundations of Pharmacology
- BIOL 430 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 431 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIOL 432 Clinical Applications in Human Physiology
- BIOL 452 Immunology
- BIOL 453 Immunology Laboratory
- BIOL 471 Evolution
- BIOL 482 Introduction to Molecular Genetics
- BIOL 483 General Biochemistry
- BIOL 484 Cell Signaling and Disease
- BIOL 515 Developmental Neurobiology
- CDS 301 Scientific Information and Data Visualization
- CHEM 313 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry Lab I
- CHEM 318 Organic Chemistry Lab II
- CHEM 321 Quantitative Chemical Analysis
- CHEM 463 General Biochemistry I
- CHEM 464 General Biochemistry II
- CHEM 465 Biochemistry Lab
- MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II or MATH 116 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (Honors)
- MATH 203 Linear Algebra
- MATH 213 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III
- MATH 214 Elementary Differential Equations
- NEUR 405 RS: Laboratory Methods in Behavioral Neuroscience
- NEUR 406 Zebrafish Neurodevelopment Laboratory
- NEUR 407 Lab Investigations Using Voltage Clamp Electrophysiology
- NEUR 410 Current Topics in Neuroscience (when not used to fulfill the technical writing requirement) 1
- NEUR 411 Seminar in Neuroscience 1
- NEUR 422 Glutamatergic Systems
- NEUR 424 Sleep and Circadian Rhythms (Mason Core)
- NEUR 440 Independent Study in Neuroscience
- NEUR 450 Honors Thesis Proposal
- NEUR 451 Honors Thesis
- NEUR 461 Special Topics in Neuroscience
- NEUR 473 Current Neuroscience Research in Germany (Mason Core)
- NEUR 480 Biological Bases of Alzheimer's Disease
- PHYS 262 University Physics III (Mason Core)
- PHYS 263 University Physics III Laboratory (Mason Core)
- PSYC 304 Principles of Learning
- PSYC 309 Sensation, Perception, and Information Processing
- PSYC 317 Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC 441 Criminal Behavior: Psychological and Neurological Aspects
- PSYC 472 Current Topics in Brain and Behavior
Total Credits 23
Mason Core and Elective Credits
In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires an additional 39-43 credits which may be applied toward any remaining Mason Core requirements (outlined below), Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees, and elective courses. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Foundation Requirements
- Written Communication (ENGH 101) 3
- Oral Communication 3
- Quantitative Reasoning 3
- Information Technology and Computing 3
Exploration Requirements
- Arts 3
- Global Understanding 3
- Literature 3
- Natural Science 7
- Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
- Western Civilization/World History 3
Integration Requirements
- Written Communications (ENGH 302) 3
- Writing-Intensive 3
- Synthesis/Capstone 3
Total Credits 40