The Major program in Neuroscience focuses on both Cellular/Molecular and Systems/Behavioural Neuroscience and requires less research-intensive coursework than the Specialist programs. The Major focuses more on how to be a skilled consumer of neuroscience research, providing a valuable foundation for a variety of career paths.
Students who wish to combine the Major in Neuroscience with a Major in any one of Biology, Human Biology, Mental Health Studies or Psychology are advised that they must complete 12.0 distinct credits to receive a certification of the completion of both programs. For more information, see section 6A.2 Degree Requirements in the UTSC Academic Calendar. Consultation with the respective Program Supervisors in the selection of credits is recommended.
Enrolment Requirements
Enrolment in the program is limited. Students may apply after completing a minimum of 4.0 credits including: BIOA01H3, BIOA02H3, CHMA10H3, [CHMA11H3 or CHMA12H3], PSYA01H3, and PSYA02H3. Admission to this program requires a CGPA of 2.0 or higher. Application for admission will be made to the Office of the Registrar through ACORN, during the Limited Program application periods. For more information on applying to limited enrolment programs, please visit the Office of the Registrar website.
Program Requirements
Students must complete a total of 8.5 credits.
1. Scientific Foundations (3.0 credits)
BIOA01H3 Life on Earth: Unifying Principles
BIOA02H3 Life on Earth: Form, Function and Interactions
CHMA10H3 Introductory Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding
[CHMA11H3 Introductory Chemistry II: Reactions and Mechanisms or CHMA12H3 Advanced General Chemistry]
PSYA01H3 Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
PSYA02H3 Introduction to Clinical, Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology
2. Neuroscience Foundations (3.5 credits)
BIOB10H3 Cell Biology
BIOB11H3 Molecular Aspects of Cellular and Genetic Processes
NROB60H3 Neuroanatomy Laboratory
NROB61H3 Neurophysiology
[PSYB55H3 Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience or (PSYB65H3) Human Brain and Behaviour]
PSYB70H3 Methods in Psychological Science
[PSYB07H3 Data Analysis in Psychology or STAB22H3 Statistics I]
3. Advanced Foundations (1.5 credits)
at least 1.0 credit must be taken from:
NROC34H3 Neuroethology
NROC36H3 Molecular Neuroscience
NROC61H3 Learning and Motivation
NROC64H3 Sensorimotor Systems
NROC69H3 Synaptic Organization and Physiology of the Brain
the remaining 0.5 credit should be taken from the following:
BIOC14H3 Genes, Environment and Behaviour
NROC60H3 Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory
NROC63H3 Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory
NROC90H3 Supervised Study in Neuroscience
NROC93H3 Supervised Study in Neuroscience
PSYC62H3 Drugs and the Brain
4. Capstone Course (0.5 credit)
BIOD07H3 Advanced Topics and Methods in Neural Circuit Analysis
BIOD19H3 Epigenetics in Health and Disease
BIOD45H3 Animal Communication
BIOD65H3 Pathologies of the Nervous System
NROD08H3/BIOD08H3 Theoretical Neuroscience*
NROD60H3 Current Topics in Neuroscience
NROD61H3 Emotional Learning Circuits
NROD66H3 Drug Addiction
NROD67H3 Neuroscience of Aging
NROD98Y3 Thesis in Neuroscience
PSYD62H3 Neuroscience of Pleasure and Reward
PSYD66H3 Current Topics in Human Brain and Behaviour
*Note: NROD08H3 has a calculus prerequisite that is not part of this program. Students interested in this course should plan accordingly.
