Physiology and Neurobiology (BS)
This B.S. program in Physiology and Neurobiology is intended to provide students with a foundational understanding of body and brain functions at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels by synthesizing current and emerging ideas from research and medical science. Course offerings span comparative and model system physiology, nervous system function and development, endocrinology, cardiorespiratory physiology, and associated diseases. Additionally, we offer coursework and independent study based undergraduate research opportunities.
Requirements
The following courses are required to earn a B.S. degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1107 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| MATH 1131Q & MATH 1132Q | Calculus I and Calculus II | 8 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Fundamentals of General Chemistry I and Fundamentals of General Chemistry II and Fundamentals of General Chemistry III | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics II and General Physics Problems | ||
| General Physics with Calculus I and General Physics with Calculus II | ||
| Fundamentals of Physics I and Fundamentals of Physics II | ||
Undergraduate majors must complete at least 26 credits in PNB at the 2000 or higher level, including:
- All courses in the core group.
- At least three courses from the physiology and neurobiology groups, with at least one course from the physiology group and at least one course from neurobiology group.
- At least one course from the experiential group.
- At least one “W” course in PNB (which may be fulfilled from the experiential group), which will satisfy the writing in the major and information literacy competency requirements.
Core Group
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PNB 2774 & PNB 2775 & PNB 2776 | Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy I and Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy II and Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy Laboratory | 10 |
| PNB 3251 | Biology of the Brain | 3 |
Physiology Group
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PNB 2250 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 3 |
| PNB 3252 | Physiological Model Systems | 3 |
| PNB 3265 | Comparative Endocrinology | 3 |
| PNB 3270 | Molecular Endocrinology | 3 |
| PNB 3350 | Membrane Transport in Health and Disease | 3 |
| PNB 3500 | Cardiorespiratory Physiology | 2 |
Neurobiology Group
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PNB 3253W | Current Topics in Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology | 3 |
| PNB 3255 | Human Neuroanatomy | 2 |
| PNB 3260 | Stem Cell Biology | 3 |
| PNB 3275 | Biology of Synaptic Transmission | 2 |
| PNB 3700 | Sensory Physiology | 3 |
| PNB 4400 | Biology of Nervous System Diseases | 3 |
Experiential Group
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PNB 3178 | Introduction to Drosophila Models in Physiology and Neurobiology Research | 2 |
| PNB 3179 | Molecular Physiology in Drosophila Models | 2 |
| PNB 3120W | Public Communication of Physiology and Neurobiology | 3 |
| PNB 3180 | Field Study in Physiology and Neurobiology | 1-4 |
| PNB 3263WQ | Investigations in Neurobiology | 3 |
| PNB 3264W | Molecular Principles of Physiology | 4 |
| PNB 4297W | Senior Research Thesis in Physiology and Neurobiology | 3 |
Students who have not completed 26 credits in the PNB major after satisfying the above requirements may take additional course(s) from the above categories, or any other PNB course at the 2000 or higher level. However, no more than three credits of PNB 3180 Field Study in Physiology and Neurobiology, PNB 3296 Undergraduate Research in Physiology and Neurobiology, or PNB 4296 Honors Undergraduate Research In Physiology and Neurobiology may be applied toward the 26 credits-in-major requirement.
Related Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCB 2000 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 4-5 |
| or MCB 3010 | Biochemistry | |
| MCB 2400 | Human Genetics | 3 |
| or MCB 2410 | Genetics | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry and Cell Biology | ||
or MCB 2215 | Honors Cell Biology | |
There is a minor in Physiology and Neurobiology. A minor in Neuroscience is offered jointly by the Physiology and Neurobiology Department and the Psychological Sciences Department. Both programs are described in the “Minors” section of this Catalog.
University General Education Requirements
Every student must meet a set of core requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree, in addition to those required by the student's major course of study and other requirements set by the student's school or college. For more information about these requirements, please see General Education Requirements.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements
Students must meet a set of requirements established by the college in addition to the University's General Education requirements. For more information, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.