Systems Neuroscience, B.S.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Systems Neuroscience provides a rigorous interdisciplinary foundation in the study of the nervous system. Students will explore how the brain and nervous system function at all levels, from molecules and cells to behavior, cognition, and disease. Core coursework covers fundamental principles of neuroscience, including cellular and molecular neurobiology, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology, and how these principles apply to neural systems that govern processes ranging from sensation and movement to behavior and complex cognition. A special focus will be placed on understanding how neural systems are involved in neurological dysfunction and disorders. The Systems Neuroscience Major is designed to promote scholarly and professional growth.

What is Systems Neuroscience?

Systems Neuroscience is the scientific study of how the brain and nervous system operate across different levels—from molecules and cells to neural circuits, behavior, and cognition. This interdisciplinary field explores how neural systems control everything from basic sensory and motor functions to complex processes such as learning, decision-making, and emotion. It also examines how disruptions in these systems contribute to neurological and psychiatric disorders.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You are fascinated by the brain and how it gives rise to thought, behavior, and emotion.
• You want to understand how neurons and neural circuits work together to produce complex functions.
• You are interested in studying neuroscience across multiple levels—from molecules to behavior.
• You want to explore the biological basis of neurological and psychiatric conditions.
• You plan to pursue a career or advanced study in neuroscience, medicine, biomedical research, or a related health science field.

Entrance to Major

In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:

1. attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
2. have at least third-semester classification.

READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Neuroscience, a minimum of 121 credits is required:

18 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses.

Requirements for the Major

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
BBH 210	Biobehavioral Aspects of Genetics	3
BBH 301W	Values and Ethics in Biobehavioral Health Research and Practice	3
BIOL 161	Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Lecture	3
BIOL 162	Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Laboratory	1
BIOL 163	Human Anatomy and Physiology II - Lecture	3
BIOL 164	Human Anatomy and Physiology II - Laboratory	1
CHEM 110	Chemical Principles I	3
PHYS 250	Introductory Physics I	4
PHYS 251	Introductory Physics II	4
PSYCH 100	Introductory Psychology	3
STAT 184	Introduction to R	3
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
BBH 203	Neurological Bases of Human Behavior	3
BBH 368	Neuroanatomy, Behavior, and Health	3
BBH 451	Pharmacological Influences on Health	3
BBH 468	Neuroanatomical Bases for Disorders of Behavior and Health	3
BBH 469	Neurobiology	3
BBH 470	Functional and Integrative Neuroscience	3
BIOL 110	Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity	4
MATH 140B	Calculus and Biology I	4
STAT 200	Elementary Statistics	4
Additional Courses
Additional Neuroscience Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:		12
BBH 204	Methods in Neuroscience Research
BBH 410	Developmental and Health Genetics
BBH 432	Biobehavioral Aspects of Stress
BBH 475H	Honors Biobehavioral Analysis of Addiction
BBH 494	Research Project (3 credits of 494 can count toward additional courses; a research plan has to be agreed upon by instructor and student and a final report has to be filed. )
BIOL 426	Developmental Neurobiology
BMB 400	Molecular Biology of the Gene
BME 406	Medical Imaging
BME 437	Biomedical Data Science for Bioengineers
CSD 431	Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiological Foundations of Communication Disabilities
CSD 497A	Neuro Foundation
KINES 360	The Neurobiology of Motor Control and Development
KINES 465	Neurobiology of Sensorimotor Stroke Rehabilitation
NUTR 460	Nutritional Neuroscience
PSYCH 455	Cognitive Neuroscience
Basic Sciences
Select 9 credits from the following:		9
ANSC 415	Companion Animal Behavior
ANTH 21	Introductory Biological Anthropology
ANTH 22	Humans as Primates
BIOL 129	Mammalian Anatomy
BIOL 155	Introduction to the Biology of Aging
BIOL 230W	Biology: Molecules and Cells
or BIOL 230M	Honors Biology: Molecules and Cells
or BIOL 240M	Honors Biology: Function and Development of Organisms
or BIOL 240W	Biology: Function and Development of Organisms
BIOL 409	Biology of Aging
BIOL 479	General Endocrinology
BMB 251	Molecular and Cell Biology I
CHEM 111	Experimental Chemistry I
CHEM 112	Chemical Principles II
CHEM 113	Experimental Chemistry II
CHEM 203	Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry II (While not required, students taking CHEM 203 are recommended to have taken CHEM 111.)
or CHEM 212	Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 213	Laboratory in Organic Chemistry
CMPSC 100	Computer Fundamentals and Applications
CMPSC 102	Introduction to Visual Programming
FDSC 404	Sensory Evaluation of Foods
FDSC 406W	Physiology of Nutrition
FDSC 407	Food Toxins
MICRB 106	Elementary Microbiology
MICRB 107	Elementary Microbiology Laboratory
MICRB 201	Introductory Microbiology
MICRB 202	Introductory Microbiology Laboratory
PSYCH 460	Comparative Psychology
PSYCH 470	Abnormal Psychology
STAT 240	Introduction to Biometry
STAT 300	Statistical Modeling I
STAT 380	Data Science Through Statistical Reasoning and Computation
VBSC 211	The Immune System and Disease
VBSC 230	The Science of Poisons
Organic chemistry
Select 3 credits from the following:		3
CHEM 202	Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry I
or CHEM 210	Organic Chemistry I
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 9 credits of University Wide Offerings in consultation with adviser		9

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
• Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Arts (GA): 3 credits
• Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
• Humanities (GH): 3 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

• Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

• GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
• GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

• United States Cultures: 3 credits
• International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Marc Dingman, Ph.D.
Co-Director of the Systems Neuroscience Program
222 Biobehavioral Health Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-5658
mad193@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2025-26 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

Systems Neuroscience, B.S. at University Park Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Basic Science: ANSC 415, ANTH 21, BIOL 129, BIOL 155, BIOL 230W or BIOL 230M or BIOL 240M or BIOL 240W, BIOL 409, BIOL 479, BMB 251, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 113, CHEM 203 or CHEM 212, CHEM 213, CMPSC 100, CMPSC 102, FDSC 404, FDSC 406W, FDSC 407, MICRB 106, MICRB 107, MICRB 201, MICRB 202, PSYCH 460, PSYCH 470, STAT 240, STAT 300, STAT 380, VBSC 211, VBSC 230

²

Additional neuroscience courses: BBH 204, BBH 410, BBH 432, BBH 475H, BBH 494, BBH 426, BMB 400, BME 406, BME 437, CSD 431, CSD 497A, KINES 360, KINES 465, NUTR 460, PSYCH 455

³

University wide offerings: Choose in consultation with adviser.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

Systems Neuroscience, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Basic Science: ANSC 415, ANTH 21, BIOL 129, BIOL 155, BIOL 230W or BIOL 230M or BIOL 240M or BIOL 240W, BIOL 409, BIOL 479, BMB 251, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 113, CHEM 203 or CHEM 212, CHEM 213, CMPSC 100, CMPSC 102, FDSC 404, FDSC 406W, FDSC 407, MICRB 106, MICRB 107, MICRB 201, MICRB 202, PSYCH 460, PSYCH 470, STAT 240, STAT 300, STAT 380, VBSC 211, VBSC 230

²

Additional neuroscience courses: BBH 204, BBH 410, BBH 432, BBH 475H, BBH 494, BBH 426, BMB 400, BME 406, BME 437, CSD 431, CSD 497A, KINES 360, KINES 465, NUTR 460, PSYCH 455

³

University wide offerings: Choose in consultation with adviser.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

Career Paths

Students with a BS in Systems Neuroscience are well-prepared for careers in a range of scientific, clinical, and technical fields that require a foundational understanding of neuroscience. Example areas of employment include: clinical neuroscience and healthcare, neuroscience research and laboratory support, biotechnology development, and pharmaceutical research and development. Many advanced career paths in neuroscience may require graduate or professional training. Students are encouraged to pursue experiential learning opportunities that enhance their understanding of the nervous system. These might include working in a neuroscience research lab, shadowing professionals in clinical neurology or psychiatry, or participating in internships in biotechnology development.

Careers

Examples of careers that Systems Neuroscience graduates might pursue* include:

• Clinical Neuroscience and Health Care: neuropsychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, physician assistant, EEG technician, neuroimaging technician
• Neuroscience Research and Laboratory Support: research assistant, lab technician, study coordinator
• Biotechnology: neural engineer, computational neuroscientist, signal processing engineer
• Pharmaceutical Industry: clinical trials coordinator, medical science liaison, regulatory affairs specialist, pharmaceutical sales

*Note that some of these careers require further training (e.g., graduate degree) and/or licensure.

Opportunities for Graduate Students

Depending on your career goals, Systems Neuroscience students might consider pursuing graduate studies in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or related research-focused fields (e.g., MS, PhD). Students may also pursue clinical graduate programs in medicine or allied health professions (e.g., MD, PA, PharmD) or professional degrees in areas such as public health or health policy and administration (e.g., MPH, MHA).

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF BIOBEHAVIORAL HEALTH
219 Biobehavioral Health Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-7256
pennstatebbh@psu.edu