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Neuroscience

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Undergraduate

A Hands-On Approach

Neuroscience majors have the opportunity to gain first-hand research experience by observing and participating in ongoing studies on campus and at external research sites. Our students love working in our wet lab specifically for undergraduates.

Expert And Engaged Faculty

Classes are taught by full-time faculty with degrees in neuroscience and extensive teaching and research experience in the field. Our small class sizes allow students the opportunity to network with neuroscience experts and receive personal attention from faculty.

Program Overview

A Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience enables students to pursue a curriculum in several departments, colleges and schools at Temple University in one of the most dynamic areas of science. Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field addressing neural and brain function at multiple levels. It encompasses a broad domain that ranges from molecular genetics and neural development, to brain processes involved in cognition and emotion, to mechanisms and consequences of neurodegenerative disease. The field of neuroscience also includes mathematical and physical principles involved in modeling neural systems and in brain imaging.A number of departments throughout Temple include research and teaching in neuroscience, including departments in the Colleges of Engineering (CE), Health Professions (CHP), Liberal Arts (CLA), Science and Technology (CST), and the School of Medicine (TUSM). Neuroscience courses are open to students from any major.

Neuroscience majors also have the flexibility to pursue courses that fulfill the pre-med requirements. Students interested to be on the pre-med track can discuss this option with the College of Liberal Arts' Center for Academic Advising.

Minor in Neuroscience Research

The minor in neuroscience researchexpands opportunities for Temple students to get research experience and to become more competitive in their applications to graduate and professional schools. The required courses in the neuroscience research minor focus on basic neuroscience, cellular and molecular neuroscience, and neuroscientific techniques. Because of some overlap in coursework, the students must choose either the neuroscience research or the cognitive neuroscience minor.

Minor in Cognitive Neuroscience

The minor in cognitive neuroscience will strengthen the academic record of students who plan to apply for graduate programs. For example, in psychology this minor will strengthen applicants’ records for specializations such as behavioral neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology, cognitive psychology or psychophysiology. Students might also go into general neuroscience or cognitive science. Pre-med students with a cognitive neuroscience minor present distinctive profiles to medical school admissions offices. Because of some overlap in coursework, the students must choose either the neuroscience research or the cognitive neuroscience minor.

+1 Neuroscience 5-Year Master’s Program

The +1 master in neuroscience program offers outstanding Temple University neuroscience majors the opportunity to earn both the BS and MS in neuroscience in just 5 years. To learn more about this accelerated degree offering, please visit the Accelerated Degree Admissions page to learn more about graduate program requirements, dates and deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Independent Study in Neuroscience

Students majoring in neuroscience are strongly encouraged to participate in research by taking courses in independent study as part of their elective credits for the major. Independent study opportunities will be offered in many of the laboratories of the more than 130 neuroscience faculty members in the various participating colleges and schools. The  and  will work with students to identify these independent study opportunities. More detailed information is available under research.

image of Neuro students smiling and sitting at a table doin an experiment

Graduating with Distinction in Neuroscience

Majors in Neuroscience: Systems, Behavior, Plasticity have the opportunity to be awarded departmental distinction upon graduation. Graduating with distinction can be achieved by maintaining a grade point average 3.0 of better in all neuroscience courses, completing two semesters of independent study in Neuroscience (NSI 4182 & 4282) with an A- or better, and successfully completing a neuroscience research project based on the independent study work and described in a research paper and poster presented to neuroscience program faculty and students. Students MUST complete an Application for Distinction.

Distinction Paper

The Distinction Paper should follow the Journal of Neuroscience format, and should be between eight and 15 pages long.

Distinction papers must be signed by the student’s Independent Study Mentor and then submitted to  for approval.

Poster Presentation

If you are submitting a poster for distinction, please be sure to indicate that in an email to the  prior to the presentation. Distinction posters may be submitted for the Spring poster sessions.

The neuroscience program will host a spring poster session each year, but students graduating prior to the spring semester and therefore presenting in the Fall must do so through an outside organization.

Preparing Effective Posters
  • An effective poster is self-contained and self-explanatory. Viewers can proceed on their own while leaving the author free to discuss points raised in inquiry.
  • The poster session offers a more intimate forum for discussion, but discussion becomes difficult if the author must explain the poster to a succession of viewers. Time spent at a poster presentation is determined by the viewer, not the author.
  • An effective poster balances figures and texts and is not a page-by-page printout of a journal paper or a slide show.
Planning and Layout
  • Your poster should be approximately 36″ x 54″. Avoid reflective, plastic-coated paper.
Title
  • Prepare a banner for the top of the poster indicating the abstract title, author(s), affiliation(s), and the session number. Use lettering at least one-inch high.
Illustrations
  • Design figures for viewing from a distance and use clear, visible graphics and large type. Colors are effective if used sparingly; use dark colors on white or pale backgrounds and light colors on dark backgrounds. Figures should illustrate no more than one or two major points.
  • Simple figures are unnecessary. Make clear main points, but include detail for the aficionado. Indicate illustration sequences with numbers or letters at least one inch high. (Omit “Fig.” or “Figure” – this is unnecessary and occupies excess space).
Text
  • Each figure or table should have a heading of one or two lines in very large type stating the “take-home” message. Provide additional essential information below in a legend set in 16 point or larger type.
Content
  • Minimize narrative.
  • Integrate text that would normally appear in the body (Results and Discussion) of a manuscript in figure legends. Concisely describe not only the content of the figure, but also the derived conclusions.
  • Place brief details of methodology at the end of each legend.
  • Use large type in short, separated paragraphs with unjustified (ragged right) margins.
  • Numbered or bulleted lists are effective ways to convey a series of points. Do not set entire paragraphs in uppercase (all capitals) or boldface type.
  • Place an introduction at the upper left and a conclusion at the lower right, both in large type. It is rarely necessary to post a copy of the abstract.

Academic Advising and Professional Development

Take full advantage of the College of Liberal Arts’ flexible curriculum with the help of our award-winning advisors. We’ll help you select a major or minor and graduate on time. Beyond academics, our advisors ensure that you have a rich experience at Temple by complementing your academic work with study abroad programs, internships and other experiential learning opportunities.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

At Temple, we believe that students from all walks of life should have access to an outstanding college education. If you need help paying for your education, you aren’t alone. Most students receive some form of financial aid to fund their education. About 69% of first-year Temple students receive need-based financial aid, and the average first-year financial aid package is about $15,000. Eligible students receive financial assistance from federal, state, private and university sources. Explore all available funding and apply early to make your college education an affordable experience.

Fly in 4

Take charge of your future and limit your debt. The Fly in 4 partnership allows you to complete your degree on time—or Temple will pay for your remaining coursework. Graduating on time means your path to success starts sooner. We provide you with the resources you need to graduate in four years, like academic advising and classes offered when you need them. You commit to doing what it takes to blaze your career path in four years.

Undergraduate Tuition

No Added Tuition Costs. That’s the promise the College of Liberal Arts makes (and keeps) to all of our incoming students. We know deciding to attend college is a big one, both in life and financially, so we're committed to keeping costs down. We're one of only three schools/colleges at Temple University that do not charge a tuition differential, so what you see is what you pay. Our priority is helping you graduate with less student debt. 

We understand that, at this phase, you are weighing all your options, and you should be! It's crucial to find the right fit for YOU and YOUR PASSIONS.

For more information, visit Temple's costs, aid and scholarships page and Temple’s tuition calculator. To see tuition rates for all Temple schools and colleges, visit Temple’s 2024–2025 tuition rates page.

Program Contact

Director, Neuroscience Program
Vinay Parikh
872 Weiss Hall
(215) 204-1572

Director, Master’s Program in Neuroscience
Mathieu Wimmer
823 Weiss Hall

Senior Manager, Administration
Veronica Holloway
(215) 204-2644