Neuroscience Major, B.S.
Neuroscience embodies the liberal arts experience as it draws on techniques and findings from several academic disciplines including biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, and psychology. This program provides students with the fundamental knowledge and exposure needed to pursue careers and post-graduate studies in fields related to psychology, human development and aging, health and disease, rehabilitation, biomedical research, biotechnology, human-machine interactions, and other emerging disciplines.
The neuroscience major is open to all undergraduate students.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the neuroscience program, students should be able to:
- Knowledge Base: Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and trends in neuroscience including its links to other science disciplines
- Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Skills: Apply basic research methods in neuroscience, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation. Demonstrate scientific reasoning, problem solving, and critical thinking
- Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research: Demonstrate use of empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinning of neuroscience as a science
- Communication: Demonstrate competence in writing and in oral communication skills. Be able to produce a research study or other neuroscience project, explain its scientific results, and present information
- Individual and Professional Development: Develop the ability to apply neuroscience content, skills, project management, and teamwork skills to career preparation. Awareness of career opportunities and paths toward career goals
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| NSCI 175 |  Introduction to Neuroscience (with a grade of C or better) F | 3 |
| Select one statistics course: | 3-4 | |
| Statistical Principles of Psychological Research H | ||
| Foundations of Statistics and Data Science F | ||
| Introduction to Data Models and Inference F | ||
| Select one research methods course: 1 | 3 | |
| Cellular Mechanisms in Addiction Lab | ||
| Brainwaves: Human Electroencephalography Lab | ||
| Neurophysiology Data Science Lab | ||
| Addiction Neuroscience qPCR Laboratory | ||
| Molecular Brain Imaging Lab | ||
| Microglia Laboratory | ||
| Research Methods in Psychology | ||
| Select two courses: | 6 | |
| Neuropsychopharmacology | ||
| Learning H | ||
| Sensation and Perception H | ||
| Knowledge Electives (select at least six credit hours from list below) | 6 | |
| Mathematics, Methods, Statistics Electives (select at least six credit hours from list below) | 6 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F | 4 |
| BIOL 103 | How Cells Function F | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | Molecular Genetics H | 3 |
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 241 | Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization H | 3 |
| CHEM 241L | Laboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compounds | 1 |
| CHEM 261 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I H | 3 |
| CHEM 262 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry II H | 3 |
| CHEM 262L | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| COMP 110 | Introduction to Programming and Data Science H | 3 |
| or COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F | 4 |
| Select one course: | 4 | |
| General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
| Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity H, F | ||
| Select one course: | 4 | |
| General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
| Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta H, F | ||
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology F | 3 |
| Total Hours | 78-79 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
Neuroscience research method courses NSCI 27* should be prioritized over PSYC 270.
Knowledge Electives (6 Credit Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 205 | Cellular and Developmental Biology 1, H | 4 |
| BIOL 240 | Cell Biology H | 3 |
| BIOL 425 | Human Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 431 | Biological Physics | 3 |
| BIOL 440 | Stem Cell Biology 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 450 | Neurobiology 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 453 | Molecular Control of Metabolism and Metabolic Disease 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 455 | Behavioral Neuroscience 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 458 | Sensory Neurobiology and Behavior 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 523 | Sex Differences in Human Disease 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 542 | Light Microscopy for the Biological Sciences 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 544L | Laboratory in Diseases of the Cytoskeleton 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 545 | Exploring Brain, Gut, and Immunity 1, H | 3 |
| BIOL 547 | Synaptic Plasticity: Analysis of Primary Literature | 3 |
| BIOL 552 | Behavioral Endocrinology 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 635 | Careers in Biotechnology | 1 |
| CHEM 430 | Introduction to Biological Chemistry H | 3 |
| COMP 210 | Data Structures and Analysis | 3 |
| COMP 211 | Systems Fundamentals 1 | 3 |
| COMP 301 | Foundations of Programming 1 | 3 |
| COMP 311 | Computer Organization | 3 |
| COMP 555 | Bioalgorithms 1 | 3 |
| COMP 560 | Artificial Intelligence 1 | 3 |
| COMP 562 | Introduction to Machine Learning 1, H | 3 |
| COMP 576 | Mathematics for Image Computing 1 | 3 |
| COMP 581 | Introduction to Robotics 1, H | 3 |
| COMP 631 | Networked and Distributed Systems 1 | 3 |
| COMP 633 | Parallel and Distributed Computing 1 | 3 |
| COMP 651 | Computational Geometry 1 | 3 |
| COMP 665 | Images, Graphics, and Vision 1 | 3 |
| EXSS 155 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I H, F | 3 |
| EXSS 175 | Human Anatomy F | 3 |
| EXSS 256 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II 1 | 3 |
| EXSS 275L | Human Anatomy Laboratory | 1 |
| EXSS 276 | Human Physiology 1 | 3 |
| EXSS 380 | Neuromuscular Control and Learning 1, H | 3 |
| EXSS 580 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement 1 | 3 |
| Any course between NSCI 300 - 699, with some exceptions (see footnote) 2 | ||
| PHYS 405 | Biological Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 461 | Introduction to Medical Physics | 3 |
| PSYC 245 | Psychopathology H | 3 |
| PSYC 404 | Clinical Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| PSYC 469 | Evolution and Development of Biobehavioral Systems | 3 |
| PSYC 517 | Addiction | 3 |
| PSYC 559 | Applied Machine Learning in Psychology 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 602 | Evolutionary Psychology | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
Course requires a prerequisite(s) not otherwise counting in the major. Please review prerequisite information carefully when planning your course selection.
- 2
Any course between NSCI 300 - 699 except NSCI 395, NSCI 405, NSCI 418, NSCI 419, NSCI 423, NSCI 439, NSCI 440, NSCI 493, and NSCI 693H/NSCI 694H
Mathematics, Methods, and Statistics Electives (6 Credit Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| APPL 101 | Exploring Engineering | 3 |
| APPL 240 | Electronics from Sensors to Indicators: Circuits that Interact with the Physical World | 4 |
| APPL 350 | Data Science for Applied Science and Engineering | 3 |
| APPL 430 | Optoelectronics from Materials to Devices | 3 |
| APPL 435 | Nanophotonics 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 224H | The Mathematics of Life | 3 |
| BIOL 224L | The Mathematics of Life Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 226 | Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 226L | Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 553 | Mathematical and Computational Models in Biology 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 554 | Introduction to Computational Neuroscience 1 | 3 |
| BMME 207 | Biomedical Electronics 1 | 4 |
| BMME 301 | Human Physiology: Electrical Analysis 1 | 3 |
| BMME 545 | Systems Neuroscience 1 | 3 |
| BMME 550 | Medical Imaging I: Ultrasonic, Optical, and Magnetic Resonance Systems 1 | 3 |
| COMP 283 | Discrete Structures 2, H | 3 |
| MATH 210 | Mathematical Tools for Data Science 1 | 3 |
| MATH 233 | Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H, F | 4 |
| MATH/STOR 235 | Mathematics for Data Science | 4 |
| MATH 347 | Linear Algebra for Applications | 3 |
| MATH 381 | Discrete Mathematics 2, H | 3 |
| MATH 383 | First Course in Differential Equations 1, H | 3 |
| MATH 383L | First Course in Differential Equations Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| MATH 523 | Functions of a Complex Variable with Applications 1 | 3 |
| MATH 528 | Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 528L | Laboratory for Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I 1 | 1 |
| MATH 529 | Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences II 1 | 3 |
| MATH 529L | Laboratory for Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences II 1 | 1 |
| MATH 535 | Introduction to Probability 1 | 3 |
| MATH 555 | Introduction to Dynamics 1 | 3 |
| MATH 560 | Optimization with Applications in Machine Learning 1 | 3 |
| MATH 564 | Mathematical Modeling in the Life Sciences 1 | 3 |
| MATH 566 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis 1 | 3 |
| MATH 577 | Linear Algebra 1 | 3 |
| MATH 594 | Nonlinear Dynamics 1 | 3 |
| MATH 661 | Scientific Computation I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 662 | Scientific Computation II 1 | 3 |
| MATH 668 | Methods of Applied Mathematics I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 669 | Methods of Applied Mathematics II 1 | 3 |
| NSCI 395 | Independent Research 3 | 3 |
| NSCI 405 | Advanced Molecular Neuropharmacology | 3 |
| NSCI 418 | Glial Neuroscience | 3 |
| NSCI 419 | Behavioral Endocrinology | 3 |
| NSCI 423 | Cellular and Molecular Neurotechnology | 3 |
| NSCI 439 | Neuroimmunology | 3 |
| NSCI 440 | Behavioral Neuroscience and Experimental Methods in Rodents | 3 |
| NSCI 493 | Internship in Neuroscience | 3 |
| NSCI 693H | Honors in Neuroscience I | 3 |
| NSCI 694H | Honors in Neuroscience II | 3 |
| PSYC 533 | The General Linear Model in Psychology H | 3 |
| STOR 215 | Foundations of Decision Sciences 2 | 3 |
| STOR 320 | Introduction to Data Science 1 | 4 |
| STOR 415 | Introduction to Optimization 1 | 3 |
| STOR 435 | Introduction to Probability 1 | 3 |
| STOR 445 | Stochastic Modeling 1 | 3 |
| STOR 455 | Methods of Data Analysis 1 | 3 |
| STOR 535 | Probability for Data Science 1 | 3 |
| STOR 555 | Mathematical Statistics 1 | 3 |
| STOR 556 | Time Series Data Analysis 1 | 3 |
| STOR 565 | Machine Learning 1 | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
Course requires a prerequisite(s) not otherwise counting in the major. Please review prerequisite information carefully when planning your course selection.
- 2
- 3
Students may only count NSCI 395 for three (3) hours of credit in the MMS elective.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.
Sample I
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch 1, F | 3 | |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| Triple-I and Data Literacy | 4 | |
| Major Courses | ||
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F | 4 |
| NSCI 175 | Introduction to Neuroscience F | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F | 4 |
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology F | 3 |
| COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | 3 |
| CHEM 261 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I H | 3 |
| Additional Gen Ed or elective course 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
| Neuropsychopharmacology | ||
| Learning H | ||
| Sensation and Perception H | ||
| BIOL 103 | How Cells Function F | 3 |
| CHEM 262 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry II H | 3 |
| Additional Gen Ed and elective courses 2 | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PHYS 114 | General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F | 4 |
| PSYC 210 | Statistical Principles of Psychological Research H | 3 |
| CHEM 241 | Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization H | 3 |
| CHEM 241L | Laboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compounds | 1 |
| Lifetime Fitness | 1 | |
| Additional Gen Ed or elective course 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PHYS 115 | General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F | 4 |
| Select one of the following research methods options: 4 | 3 | |
| Neurophysiology Data Science Lab | ||
NSCI 276 | ||
| Addiction Neuroscience qPCR Laboratory | ||
| Molecular Brain Imaging Lab | ||
| Microglia Laboratory | ||
| CHEM 262L | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| BIOL 220 | Molecular Genetics H | 3 |
| Additional Gen Ed and elective courses 2 | 6 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEM 430 | Introduction to Biological Chemistry (knowledge elective #1) H | 3 |
| Knowledge elective #2 | 3 | |
| MMS elective #1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
| Neuropsychopharmacology | ||
| Learning H | ||
| Sensation and Perception H | ||
| Additional Gen Ed or elective course 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MMS elective #2 | 3 | |
| Additional Gen Ed and elective courses 2 | 9 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
Students are strongly encouraged to fulfill the FY-Seminar or FY-Launch First-Year Foundation requirement with a FY-Launch course in the major. Several FY-Launch course options are available. If done, then students can take an additional Gen Ed course in the fall semester.
- 2
Students planning to apply to medical schools are advised to include BIOL 252 and BIOL 252L as a general elective in their course plan.
- 3
Students planning to apply to medical schools are advised to include CHEM 430 as a knowledge elective in their course plan.
- 4
Students are strongly encouraged to prioritize NSCI 27* neuroscience research methods labs. However, PSYC 270 will still fulfill the research methods requirement.
Sample II (for students with MATH 231 and CHEM 101/L credit)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch 1, F | 3 | |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 102 | General Descriptive Chemistry II H, F | 3 |
| CHEM 102L | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| Triple-I and Data Literacy | 4 | |
| Major Courses | ||
| NSCI 175 | Introduction to Neuroscience F | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology F | 3 |
| CHEM 241L | Laboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compounds | 1 |
| CHEM 241 | Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization H | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PSYC 210 | Statistical Principles of Psychological Research H | 3 |
| COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | 3 |
| CHEM 261 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I H | 3 |
| Additional Gen Ed and elective courses 2 | 7 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following research methods options: 4 | 3 | |
| Neurophysiology Data Science Lab | ||
NSCI 276 | ||
| Addiction Neuroscience qPCR Laboratory | ||
| Molecular Brain Imaging Lab | ||
| Microglia Laboratory | ||
| BIOL 101 | Principles of Biology H, F | 3 |
| BIOL 101L | Introductory Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 262 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry II H | 3 |
| CHEM 262L | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| Lifetime Fitness | 1 | |
| Additional Gen Ed course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
| Neuropsychopharmacology | ||
| Learning H | ||
| Sensation and Perception H | ||
| PHYS 114 | General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F | 4 |
| CHEM 430 | Introduction to Biological Chemistry (knowledge elective #1) H | 3 |
| BIOL 103 | How Cells Function F | 3 |
| Additional Gen Ed course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
| Neuropsychopharmacology | ||
| Learning H | ||
| Sensation and Perception H | ||
| PHYS 115 | General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F | 4 |
| BIOL 220 | Molecular Genetics H | 3 |
| Additional Gen Ed and elective courses 2 | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Knowledge elective #2 | 3 | |
| MMS elective #1 | 3 | |
| Additional Gen Ed and elective courses 2 | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MMS elective #2 | 3 | |
| Additional Gen Ed and elective courses 2 | 10 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
Students are strongly encouraged to fulfill the FY-Seminar or FY-Launch First-Year Foundation requirement with a FY-Launch course in the major. Several FY-Launch course options are available. If done, then students can take an additional Gen Ed course in the fall semester.
- 2
Students planning to apply to medical schools are advised to include BIOL 252 and BIOL 252L as a general elective in their course plan.
- 3
Students planning to apply to medical schools are advised to include CHEM 430 as a knowledge elective in their course plan.
- 4
Students are strongly encouraged to prioritize NSCI 27* neuroscience research methods labs. However, PSYC 270 will still fulfill the research methods requirement.
Special Opportunities in Psychology and Neuroscience
Honors in Psychology and Neuroscience
Any major in the program with an overall grade point average of 3.3 or higher and prior research experience in a faculty lab (e.g., PSYC 395 or NSCI 395) is eligible for enrollment in the departmental senior honors thesis program. Each candidate for honors participates in a two-semester course sequence (PSYC 693H and PSYC 694H or NSCI 693H and NSCI 694H) and carries out independent research in an area of the student’s choice under the guidance of a psychology and neuroscience faculty member. Please see the department website for the application form and additional information.
Departmental Involvement
The Carolina Psychology and Neuroscience Ambassadors Program is a peer mentoring program which connects relative new or inexperienced psychology and/or neuroscience majors with more advanced and experienced students, in order to create stronger networking and provide greater access to support and resources.
The Carolina Neuroscience Club brings together students who have an interest in the brain and nervous system. Club members meet regularly to discuss courses, research articles, and post-college neuroscience opportunities. Membership is open to anyone interested in neuroscience.
Psi Chi is the National Honor Society for psychology. UNC's chapter strives to increase awareness of career options as well as the role of psychology in the community, among exemplary psychology students.
Nu Rho Psi is the National Honor Society for neuroscience. The Nu Rho Psi chapter at Carolina aims to build connections among neuroscience students on campus, celebrate brain awareness week in our community, provide mentorship to underclassmen interested in the field, and much more.
Helping Give Away Psychological Science is a student-based nonprofit organization to improve information about psychology on Wikipedia, on other online sites, and in the community.
High-Impact/Experiential Education
Several opportunities for experiential education are available. The Karen M. Gil Internship Program offers both course credit and a monthly stipend to selected psychology and neuroscience majors who are placed in approved internship sites in the community. Interns are selected through a competitive process (minimum grade point average is 3.4). Other experiential education opportunities include PSYC 395; NSCI 395; PSYC 693H; PSYC 694H; NSCI 693H; NSCI 694H; coursed-based research courses (such as NSCI 27* lab-based research courses); or courses where service learning is a central focus, such as a psychology or neuroscience course with an APPLES program component.
Undergraduate Awards
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience administers several undergraduate awards: the Dashiell-Thurstone Prize; the David Bray Peele Undergraduate Award; the Donald T. Lysle Service Award; the Lindquist Undergraduate Research Award; the J. Steven Reznick Award for Diversity Enhancement in Psychological Research; the J. Steven Reznick Diversity and Psychological Research Grant; and the Susan M. McHale Award for Outstanding Psychological Research by a Student Who Enhances Diversity, as well as several fellowships and grants administered through the UNC Office for Undergraduate Research or the UNC Honors Carolina Office. Additional honors include election to Psi Chi, the national honor society for psychology undergraduates, and/or election to Nu Rho Psi, the national honor society for neuroscience undergraduates. Each year, the Lindquist Undergraduate Research Award is given to several undergraduate students to support their research; the Dashiell-Thurstone Prize is awarded to one student for the best undergraduate research project; the David Bray Peel Undergraduate Award is given for the best honors project; and the Donald T. Lysle Service Award is given to a psychology or neuroscience major who has made exemplary service contributions. The Donald T. Lysle Service Award is presented at the Chancellor's Award Ceremony, the only campus-wide recognition at Carolina. The department also supports awards that support diversity. The J. Steven Reznick Award for Outstanding Research That Enhances Diversity is for a graduating senior who has conducted excellent research that contributes to psychological knowledge about diversity and the J. Steven Reznick Diversity and Psychological Research Grant as well as the Susan M. McHale Award for Outstanding Research by a Student Who Enhances Diversity are awarded to student researchers who identify as being from an underrepresented population. For each of these awards, diversity is broadly defined, including but not limited to diversity based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status. For additional details on these awards, please visit the Psychology and Neuroscience page on undergraduate awards.
Undergraduate Research
Qualified students interested in doing independent research under the direction of a faculty member may enroll for independent research credit (PSYC 395 or NSCI 395). Students interested in this option should speak directly with psychology faculty members regarding opportunities in their laboratories. Additional information is available on the department's website. Many other psychology and neuroscience courses also include heavy research components and/or meet the general education research and discovery requirement (NSCI 27* labs). See the research methods, research intensive, and research exposure courses at the Office for Undergraduate Research.
Department Programs
Majors
Minors
Graduate Programs
