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.

Core Requirements
NSCI 175IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Neuroscience (with a grade of C or better) F3
Select one statistics course:3-4
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Statistical Principles of Psychological Research H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Foundations of Statistics and Data Science F
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Data Models and Inference F
Select one research methods course: 13
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Cellular Mechanisms in Addiction Lab
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Brainwaves: Human Electroencephalography Lab
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Neurophysiology Data Science Lab
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Addiction Neuroscience qPCR Laboratory
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Molecular Brain Imaging Lab
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Microglia Laboratory
IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Principles of Biology
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F
4
BIOL 103IDEAs in Action General Education logo How Cells Function F3
BIOL 220IDEAs in Action General Education logo Molecular Genetics H3
CHEM 101
101L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Descriptive Chemistry I
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F
4
CHEM 102
102L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Descriptive Chemistry II
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F
4
CHEM 241Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization H3
CHEM 241LLaboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compounds1
CHEM 261Introduction to Organic Chemistry I H3
CHEM 262Introduction to Organic Chemistry II H3
CHEM 262LIDEAs in Action General Education logo Laboratory in Organic Chemistry1
COMP 110IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Programming and Data Science H3
or COMP 116 Introduction to Scientific Programming
MATH 231IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F4
MATH 232IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F4
Select one course:4
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity H, F
Select one course:4
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta H, F
PSYC 101IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Psychology F3
Total Hours78-79
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)

BIOL 205Cellular and Developmental Biology 1, H4
BIOL 240Cell Biology H3
BIOL 425Human Genetics3
BIOL 431Biological Physics3
BIOL 440Stem Cell Biology 13
BIOL 450Neurobiology 13
BIOL 453Molecular Control of Metabolism and Metabolic Disease 13
BIOL 455Behavioral Neuroscience 13
BIOL 458Sensory Neurobiology and Behavior 13
BIOL 523Sex Differences in Human Disease 13
BIOL 542IDEAs in Action General Education logo Light Microscopy for the Biological Sciences 13
BIOL 544LIDEAs in Action General Education logo Laboratory in Diseases of the Cytoskeleton 13
BIOL 545Exploring Brain, Gut, and Immunity 1, H3
BIOL 547Synaptic Plasticity: Analysis of Primary Literature3
BIOL 552Behavioral Endocrinology 13
BIOL 635Careers in Biotechnology1
CHEM 430Introduction to Biological Chemistry H3
COMP 210Data Structures and Analysis3
COMP 211Systems Fundamentals 13
COMP 301Foundations of Programming 13
COMP 311Computer Organization3
COMP 555Bioalgorithms 13
COMP 560Artificial Intelligence 13
COMP 562Introduction to Machine Learning 1, H3
COMP 576Mathematics for Image Computing 13
COMP 581Introduction to Robotics 1, H3
COMP 631Networked and Distributed Systems 13
COMP 633Parallel and Distributed Computing 13
COMP 651Computational Geometry 13
COMP 665Images, Graphics, and Vision 13
EXSS 155IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Anatomy and Physiology I H, F3
EXSS 175IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Anatomy F3
EXSS 256Human Anatomy and Physiology II 13
EXSS 275LHuman Anatomy Laboratory1
EXSS 276Human Physiology 13
EXSS 380Neuromuscular Control and Learning 1, H3
EXSS 580Neuromechanics of Human Movement 13
Any course between NSCI 300 - 699, with some exceptions (see footnote) 2
PHYS 405Biological Physics3
PHYS 461Introduction to Medical Physics3
PSYC 245Psychopathology H3
PSYC 404Clinical Psychopharmacology3
PSYC 469Evolution and Development of Biobehavioral Systems3
PSYC 517Addiction3
PSYC 559Applied Machine Learning in Psychology 13
PSYC 602Evolutionary Psychology3
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 395NSCI 405, NSCI 418NSCI 419NSCI 423, NSCI 439NSCI 440NSCI 493, and NSCI 693H/NSCI 694H

Mathematics, Methods, and Statistics Electives (6 Credit Hours)

APPL 101IDEAs in Action General Education logo Exploring Engineering3
APPL 240Electronics from Sensors to Indicators: Circuits that Interact with the Physical World4
APPL 350Data Science for Applied Science and Engineering3
APPL 430Optoelectronics from Materials to Devices3
APPL 435Nanophotonics 13
BIOL 224HThe Mathematics of Life3
BIOL 224LThe Mathematics of Life Laboratory1
BIOL 226Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Biology3
BIOL 226LMathematical Methods for Quantitative Biology Laboratory1
BIOL 553Mathematical and Computational Models in Biology 13
BIOL 554Introduction to Computational Neuroscience 13
BMME 207Biomedical Electronics 14
BMME 301Human Physiology: Electrical Analysis 13
BMME 545Systems Neuroscience 13
BMME 550Medical Imaging I: Ultrasonic, Optical, and Magnetic Resonance Systems 13
COMP 283IDEAs in Action General Education logo Discrete Structures 2, H3
MATH 210IDEAs in Action General Education logo Mathematical Tools for Data Science 13
MATH 233IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H, F4
MATH/STOR 235IDEAs in Action General Education logo Mathematics for Data Science4
MATH 347Linear Algebra for Applications3
MATH 381Discrete Mathematics 2, H3
MATH 383First Course in Differential Equations 1, H3
MATH 383LFirst Course in Differential Equations Laboratory 11
MATH 523Functions of a Complex Variable with Applications 13
MATH 528Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I 13
MATH 528LLaboratory for Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I 11
MATH 529Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences II 13
MATH 529LLaboratory for Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences II 11
MATH 535Introduction to Probability 13
MATH 555Introduction to Dynamics 13
MATH 560Optimization with Applications in Machine Learning 13
MATH 564Mathematical Modeling in the Life Sciences 13
MATH 566Introduction to Numerical Analysis 13
MATH 577Linear Algebra 13
MATH 594Nonlinear Dynamics 13
MATH 661Scientific Computation I 13
MATH 662Scientific Computation II 13
MATH 668Methods of Applied Mathematics I 13
MATH 669Methods of Applied Mathematics II 13
NSCI 395IDEAs in Action General Education logo Independent Research 33
NSCI 405IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Molecular Neuropharmacology3
NSCI 418Glial Neuroscience3
NSCI 419IDEAs in Action General Education logo Behavioral Endocrinology3
NSCI 423Cellular and Molecular Neurotechnology3
NSCI 439Neuroimmunology3
NSCI 440Behavioral Neuroscience and Experimental Methods in Rodents3
NSCI 493IDEAs in Action General Education logo Internship in Neuroscience3
NSCI 693HIDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors in Neuroscience I3
NSCI 694HIDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors in Neuroscience II3
PSYC 533The General Linear Model in Psychology H3
STOR 215IDEAs in Action General Education logo Foundations of Decision Sciences 23
STOR 320IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Data Science 14
STOR 415Introduction to Optimization 13
STOR 435Introduction to Probability 13
STOR 445Stochastic Modeling 13
STOR 455Methods of Data Analysis 13
STOR 535Probability for Data Science 13
STOR 555Mathematical Statistics 13
STOR 556Time Series Data Analysis 13
STOR 565Machine Learning 13
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

Students may take one of COMP 283, MATH 381, or STOR 215.

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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
First-Year Foundation Courses
IDST 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo College Thriving 1
ENGL 105
IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Descriptive Chemistry I
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F
4
MATH 231 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Descriptive Chemistry II
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F
4
MATH 232 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F 4
NSCI 175 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Neuroscience F 3
Hours 15
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
BIOL 101
101L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Principles of Biology
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F
4
PSYC 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F 4
PSYC 210 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F 4
Select one of the following research methods options: 4 3
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Neurophysiology Data Science Lab
NSCI 276
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Addiction Neuroscience qPCR Laboratory
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Molecular Brain Imaging Lab
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Microglia Laboratory
CHEM 262L IDEAs in Action General Education logo Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1
BIOL 220 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
First-Year Foundation Courses
IDST 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo College Thriving 1
ENGL 105
IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F 4
CHEM 102 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Neuroscience F 3
PSYC 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Neurophysiology Data Science Lab
NSCI 276
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Addiction Neuroscience qPCR Laboratory
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Molecular Brain Imaging Lab
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Microglia Laboratory
BIOL 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Principles of Biology H, F 3
BIOL 101L IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Biology Laboratory 1
CHEM 262 Introduction to Organic Chemistry II H 3
CHEM 262L IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F 4
CHEM 430 Introduction to Biological Chemistry (knowledge elective #1) H 3
BIOL 103 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F 4
BIOL 220 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 of Psychology and Neuroscience

Visit Program Website

Davie Hall, CB# 3270

(919) 843-0174

Chair

Regina M. Carelli

rcarelli@email.unc.edu

Associate Chair

Karen Gil

kgil@email.unc.edu

Associate Chair

Deborah Jones

djjones@email.unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Jeannie Loeb

loeb@unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Psychology Advising

Desiree Griffin

dgriffin@unc.edu

Director of Neuroscience Curricula

Sabrina Robertson

sabrinae@email.unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Neuroscience Advising

Rachel Penton

NSCIAdvising@unc.edu

Undergraduate Instructional Program Coordinator

Christopher Coffey

ctcoffey@email.unc.edu

Undergraduate Student Services Manager

Andrew Bresson

PsycNeuroUSSM@unc.edu

Graduate Student Services Manager

Ali Carson

PsycGSSM@unc.edu