The Ohio State University offers the Bachelor of Neuroscience as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Columbus campus in United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for neuroscience and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 24, 2027.

About Bachelor of Neuroscience

Investigate the organization, development and function of the nervous systems and their relationship to behavior, cognition and disorders.

Neuroscience

Degree: BS

Campus: Columbus

College: Arts and Sciences

A joint venture between the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Medicine, the neuroscience major leads to a Bachelor of Science degree, and its associated coursework represents the truly interdisciplinary nature of the field. The university is home to over 150 neuroscientists conducting scholarly research in every sub-discipline and rapidly evolving area of neuroscience. Additionally, the major capitalizes on the expertise and breadth of this renowned faculty group with members from several different colleges (beyond Arts and Sciences and Medicine, including Dentistry, Engineering, Business and Public Health) and numerous departments within these colleges teaching the majorâ€™s courses.

As a neuroscience major, you will benefit from instruction by the very world-class faculty that is generating the ground-breaking results described in your textbooks! There are also opportunities to contribute to this state-of-the-art research as an undergraduate research assistant. You can also apply to participate in the Honors Program and various neuroscience-related internships.

A bachelor of science degree with a major in neuroscience provides a strong foundation for graduate work in neuroscience, biomedical science and psychology, as well as professional programs in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, veterinary science and law. In addition, as a rigorous BS degree in the life sciences, it prepares you for employment, upon graduation, in a number of areas, including positions in hospitals or research laboratories, health services and pharmaceutical sales.

The expert advising staff and faculty of the Neuroscience major look forward to helping you proceed through your academic program. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] with any questions about the program.

Get started

The Neuroscience Undergraduate Advising Office is dedicated to helping students navigate and complete the undergraduate program by matching students' personal strengths and interests to pathways within the neuroscience curriculum and the university as a whole. They also help build Customized Career Plans for students to become competitive applicants for medical school, graduate school, dental school, NP, PA and many other career fields.

We suggest making an appointment with one of our academic advisors to explore how the neuroscience major can be customized for your career and educational endeavors. You can make an appointment with a neuroscience advisor at neurosciencemajor.osu.edu/appointment.

Curriculum

Students majoring in neuroscience take a set of four foundational courses that serve as prerequisites for many of the advanced offerings. Upon completion of these core courses, students then declare a specialization and complete five courses in one of three areas:

Molecular/cellular
Systems/behavioral
Cognitive/computational

Students are also required to take two additional courses in either or both of the other specializations to gain broad familiarity with neuroscience. The neuroscience major requires successful completion of 36 degree hours.

Upon admission to the University, students can declare the pre-major in neuroscience. Once a student has completed the pre-major requirements, they can become a full neuroscience major and can work to earn their degree. The pre-major consists of five requirements:

See a neuroscience advisor to officially declare pre-neuroscience*
Complete 24 semester credit hours, 12 of which must be Ohio State graded semester credits
Achieve an overall GPA greater than or equal to 3.0
Earn a "B" or better in Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience and Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Complete the pre-major within the timeline set by your advisor (usually three semesters)

*Note that students who are declared as pre-neuroscience are still eligible to use all neuroscience advising services and attend all neuroscience events.

In order to declare the major or pre-major, current students must meet with a neuroscience advisor. To do so, please first attend an in-person information session. At the end of the session, you will be able to schedule an appointment with an advisor to officially declare.

Study abroad

Study abroad programs are a great way to engage in cross-cultural interactions, conduct research on topics of interest, and enhance your time at Ohio State. From conducting research in Copenhagen to helping build more connected communities in Ghana, neuroscience students have participated in a variety of study abroad experiences.

Please contact your neuroscience advisor for more information about the different types of study abroad programs that are available to neuroscience students.

Internship

Through a tailored combination of mentoring, observation and hands-on experiences, the neuroscience program offers many unique undergraduate internships. For example, our Ophthalmology Shadowing Internship is designed to help neuroscience students understand the realities of life as a doctor. In small student groups â€“ with guidance from a carefully selected mentoring staff â€“ neuroscience students spend time shadowing medical staff in a real clinical environment. Shadowing a physician or interning in a clinical setting allows participants to have a glimpse of how it is to have a career in medicine.

Please contact your neuroscience advisor for more information about the many different types of internships that are available through the neuroscience program.

Honors and Scholars

Honors students not only benefit from the smaller classroom sizes, professional advising, and access to priority scheduling, they also are able to take a more rigorous and tailored curriculum. Honors neuroscience students have the opportunity to take graduate-level courses, in addition to honors courses. This gives our honors students the ability to work directly with our distinguished faculty from both the College of Medicine and College of Arts and Sciences. It also better prepares students for the next step in their educational and vocational pursuits.

The Ohio State Scholars Program offers academically motivated students the chance to meet and live with other students who share similar interests and career goals. Students involved in any of Ohio Stateâ€™s Scholars programs are free to declare neuroscience as their major. Students majoring in neuroscience may find a good fit within the Health Sciences Scholars Program, Mount Leadership Society, Biological Sciences Scholars Program or Dunn Sport and Wellness Scholars Program.

Research

The neuroscience major and minor offer the chance to work on cutting-edge research projects with Ohio State faculty. As an undergraduate researcher, you can participate in each phase of standard research activity: developing research plans with a professor, conducting research, analyzing data, and even presenting research results in oral and written form. You can participate in neuroscience research during the academic year, as well as over the summer, and research can be done in any neuroscience-related lab that is willing and able to take on an undergraduate. Research projects can be as short as one term, or can continue for a year or more. Undergraduate researchers gain important hands-on experience that applies directly to careers after graduation and as graduate and professional students.

Students may sign up for varying amounts of course credit for their research participation. Three hours of research credit can be applied to the neuroscience major breadth requirements. It is expected that students looking for research have completed Psychology 3313 and Neuroscience 3000 with a 'B' or higher.

Benefits of Undergraduate Research

Explore the latest discoveries in the field of neuroscience in a new and exciting way.
Use research as a way to prepare for graduate or medical school, or learn skills for the workforce.
Get to know faculty, researchers, graduate students, and other undergraduates who share similar academic and career interests. Developing these connections can help you get strong reference letters.
Apply what you have learned in the classroom to real-world problems.

Contact your neuroscience advisor for more information about how to be a competitive applicant.

Possible careers

On our website, you can find a list of careers that actual neuroscience graduates from Ohio State have obtained. These include pharmaceutical technician, science writer, health educator, clinical research assistant, nonprofit work, and many others. Neuroscience also provides a solid basis for advanced degrees and specializations.

Please feel free to contact your neuroscience advisor for more information about how to prepare for these and other career fields.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Neuroscience at The Ohio State University

Entry Requirements

Criteria of our holistic review, in no particular order.

Successful completion of university preparatory courses
High school performance (class rank or GPA), including participation in accelerated programs like Honors, AP and IB; Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for class rank or GPA
Standardized test score (ACT or SAT); Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for ACT or SAT scores
Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.
Ability and desire to contribute to and engage with a diverse campus community
Experiences that demonstrate leadership or engaged involvement (e.g., co-curricular activities, work experiences or military service)
Status as a first-generation university student
Demonstration of outstanding talent in a particular area
High school performance if adversely affected by physical, mental or learning environment factors
Eligibility for and likelihood of benefiting from organized support services at Ohio State

Enrollment in your intended major

Once it is determined that you are admissible, you will be considered for enrollment in the college of your intended major. Read about

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 79

English Program Requirements

we require evidence of English language proficiency, unless you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.

Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Neuroscience at The Ohio State University

How to Apply for Bachelor of Neuroscience at The Ohio State University

How do I submit scores?

Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.

Tips for sending scores to Ohio State

Scores must come directly from the testing agency. When you register for the ACT or SAT, indicate that you want your scores sent to Ohio State.
If you already took the test but didn't send your scores to Ohio State, you can order them for a fee. Order in advance to be sure scores reach us by the application deadline.
We must receive standardized test scores by your application deadline (either November 1 or February 1 for autumn semester applicants).
October 2 (SAT) and October 23 (ACT) are your last 2021 test dates if you want your scores to be considered for our November 1 early action deadline. Important! If you plan to test on those dates, you must request that Ohio State receive scores when you register for the test. And please note: If you choose to have your scores considered, you won’t be able to review scores from these dates prior to submitting your application by the November 1 deadline.
Applicants who will have been out of high school for two or more years by their term of enrollment are not required to submit scores.

Is the essay required?

The essay is not required for either the ACT or SAT.

Should I take a standardized test more than once?

Ohio State looks at the highest composite score from a single test date. Taking the test (and having scores sent to us) more than once, while not required, may work to your advantage.

How does Ohio State look at scores?

When considering students for admission or Honors and Scholars selection, we consider the best official composite / combined score from a single test administration. Ohio State does not mix sub-scores from multiple tests.

These items plus the Common Application (STEP 3) make up a complete application. We must receive all items by the deadline to consider your application on time.

Official transcripts

High school transcripts

Request that your high school or secondary school send transcripts / documents / official copies of examination certificates for coursework from the final four years (grades 9-12) to Ohio State.

How to send your transcripts to Ohio State:

Your high school counselor can upload the transcripts / documents / official copies of examination certificates using Common App, Naviance or other secure electronic delivery service.
Your high school counselor can email the transcripts to [email protected].
If electronic submission is not possible, please mail your official transcripts to our express mail address.
Faxed transcripts will not be accepted.

Foreign language documents must be translated into English by the issuing institution, an authorized translator or a teacher of the language. Any additional requirements will be posted to your Applicant Center, so be sure to check your application status regularly after you've applied.

Official ACT or SAT scores

Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.

How do I submit my scores?

We must receive your official ACT or SAT score sent electronically directly from the testing agency. Scores from transcripts will not be considered. Read more about score requirements in STEP 1.

Optional: Recommendation from a teacher or counselor

While not required, your counselor may send a maximum of two letters of recommendation electronically through the Common Application.

If an electronic option isn’t available, your counselor may email your letter(s) to [email protected]; the letter must include your first and last name and OSU ID number, found on the email we send acknowledging receipt of your application. Letters sent via email are subject to sender verification.

Official proof of English language skills

You must request that your testing agency send official scores electronically to Ohio State demonstrating the English proficiency level outlined below:

TOEFL (internet-based test or internet-based test Home Edition*): 79 or higher
IELTS or IELTS Indicator*: 6.5 or higher
ACT: 21 or higher on the English section
SAT: 27 or higher on the Reading Test
Duolingo*: 105 or higher

You are exempt from this requirement if you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.

Ohio State has an intensive English program for students who wish to improve their language skills called the American Language Program. A separate application is required for this program. Ohio State does not offer conditional admission to students who enroll in the American Language Program.

*To accommodate applicants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University will accept Duolingo, the IELTS Indicator and the TOEFL internet-based test Home Edition from any international student applying for spring 2022 or autumn 2022 admission. All Duolingo test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival to campus. TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Indicator test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival unless they qualify for a TOEFL or IELTS score exemption.