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Undergraduate Record 2026-2027
Interdisciplinary Major - Neuroscience
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 Return to: College of Arts & Sciences: Degree Programs
Neuroscience is the multidisciplinary study of the nervous system. A major in Neuroscience provides a broad background in this highly interdisciplinary scientific field, ranging from Molecular/Cellular to Circuits/Systems and to Cognitive/Behavioral Neuroscience. The major is administered by the Program in Fundamental Neuroscience (PFN), with courses offered within the Major (NESC), as well as in Biology, Psychology, and other departments. Students are encouraged to perform independent research in neuroscience in laboratories across grounds and to apply to the Distinguished Majors Program.
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Universal Curriculum Requirements
To be awarded a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page . Entrance Requirements
To qualify to declare the NESC major, students are required to meet these entrance requirements: - Have a minimum cumulative UVA GPA of 2.500,
- Be in good academic standing, and
- Complete at least one major core course with a grade of C+ or higher, from the list below:
Science Foundation Courses
The science foundation coursework provides the essential scientific knowledge and laboratory experience to prepare for the upper-level courses required by the NESC major. These courses must be completed as part of the NESC major in addition to the 27 credit hours required for the major. Students are encouraged to complete the majority of the 11 science foundation courses and labs, especially introductory biology and chemistry, during their first and second year, as many serve as prerequisites for core courses and electives for the major. These requirements may be fulfilled through test credit or equivalent credit transferred to UVA. Introductory Chemistry I and II (Lecture and Labs)
Chemistry I Lecture, fulfilled by one of the following courses:
Chemistry II Lecture, fulfilled by one of the following courses:
Chemistry I and II Labs, fulfilled by one of the following options:
Calculus I, fulfilled by one of the following options:
Statistics, fulfilled by one of the following options:
Introductory Physics 1 and 2 (Lecture and Workshops)
Physics 1 Lecture, fulfilled be one of the following courses:
Physics 1 Workshop, fullfilled by one of the following courses:
Physics 2 Lecture, fulfilled by one of the following courses:
Physics 2 Workshop, fulfilled by one of the following courses:
Major Requirements
Students in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience major are required to complete a total of 9 major courses, consisting of four core courses, one core NESC laboratory course (or 2 semesters of Neuroscience Research-NESC 3960), and four elective courses. Major GPA
To remain in good academic standing within the major, students must maintain a minimum major GPA of 2.5. Students who fall below the 2.5 major GPA requirement will be placed on major probation for the following semester. While on probation, students are expected to raise their major GPA to at least 2.5. Failure to meet these expectations while on probation may result in removal from the major. Students placed on probation are required to meet with the Undergraduate Director to develop a plan for the timely completion of major requirements. Core Requirements
Students are required to take 4 core courses (12 credits) and 1 core NESC lab (3-6 credits). Core courses may be taken in any order. Core NESC Laboratory Requirement
The core NESC laboratory requirement may be fulfilled by one of the following options: NESC Lab Course Option, fulfilled by one of the following:
Elective Courses
Elective courses are organized into three groups. Students must complete four elective courses (12 credits), including at least one course from each group. The fourth elective may be chosen from any group. Additional courses may be approved as electives with permission of the Program Director. Because course offerings change regularly, students should consult the NESC website for the most current list. Group 1: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Group 2: Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
Group 3: Related Science and Quantitative Courses
Transfer Credit and Study Abroad
Major coursework is expected to be completed at the University of Virginia. At most one study abroad course may be applied toward the elective requirements of the major. Study abroad courses may not be used to satisfy the core courses or core NESC laboratory requirements. UVA study abroad programs that offer direct credit are eligible for major credit. Students transferring to UVA from another four-year institution who have previously completed coursework comparable to Neuroscience major requirements may petition to have those courses reviewed for equivalency. Approval is granted at the discretion of the Undergraduate Director based on course content and relevance to the neuroscience curriculum. Independent Research Courses
The NESC major offers course credit for students engaging in independent research. These course options allow students to gain hands-on research experience under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students may enroll in these courses with approval from their faculty research advisor and the Undergraduate Director. Independent Research courses provide a pathway for students to engage in research, explore scientific questions, develop technical skills, and prepare for the Distinguished Majors Program. Distinguished Majors Program (DMP)
Students with superior academic performance and a serious commitment to independent research are encouraged to apply for the Distinguished Major Program (DMP) the spring semester before their final year. In addition to completing the requirements of the Neuroscience major, DMP students complete a sequence of research and seminar courses and produce a thesis based on empirical research conducted under the mentorship of a University of Virginia neuroscience faculty member. Admission Requirements
The requirements to apply to the Distinguished Major Program are: - UVA Cumulative GPA: A cumulative GPA of at least 3.400.
- Major GPA: A cumulative major GPA of at least 3.400 including all courses taken as part of the Neuroscience major.
- Research Proposal: Submission of a brief (1–2 page) research project proposal.
- Faculty Endorsement: Written endorsement of the proposed project by a faculty member of the Neuroscience Graduate Program who agrees to serve as the student’s research mentor.
- Academic and Conduct Standing: Students must be in good academic and conduct standing with the University.
To apply to the DMP, students submit an application to the DMP Director that includes a research proposal, endorsement from the primary faculty mentor (research advisor) and secondary faculty reader, and unofficial transcripts. Program Structure and Requirements
Students admitted to the Distinguished Major Program complete four required courses (12 total credits) associated with their thesis research in their final year. These courses do not count toward the GPA of the major. In NESC 4970, students conduct research under the supervision of their faculty mentor. In the second semester, students enroll in NESC 4980 to complete and finalize the thesis, culminating in a journal-style manuscript. The research project is intended to foster independent thought and develop the student’s critical ability to formulate and conduct scientific research. Fall Semester (Final Year)
Spring Semester (Final Year)
Thesis Submission and Evaluation
The final submission of the DMP thesis to the student’s committee is due two weeks before the last day of classes. The two-member faculty committee (the research mentor and the second reader) evaluates the thesis and reports one of the following outcomes to the DMP Director: - Distinction
- High Distinction
- Highest Distinction
The PFN Undergraduate Committee then considers the thesis evaluation along with the student’s academic record and submits the final level of distinction to the College Registrar. Standards for Continued Participation
Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, make consistent progress toward completion of their thesis research, and adhere to all University academic and conduct policies in order to remain in the Distinguished Major Program. Failure to meet these expectations may result in removal from the program at the discretion of the DMP Director. |
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