B.S Neuroscience

A woman smiling in the entry of a doorway, wearing a white lab coat, with a gentleman behind her setting up neurotransmitters on an individual.

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Tarleton State University is a 120-credit, four-year degree that studies the structure and function of the nervous system and its relation to cognition, behavior, movement, and disease. All students complete a shared neuroscience core — including behavioral neuroscience, research methods, and laboratory coursework — plus required coursework in biology, chemistry, and psychology, along with directed research opportunities (NRSC 4086 Research Hours) and courses in computational neuroscience and artificial intelligence (NRSC 4390).

Beginning Fall 2027, students select one of four concentrations: General Neuroscience (research and doctoral preparation with full chemistry, physics, and calculus sequences); Pre-Medicine (satisfies TMDSAS medical school prerequisites); Pre-Physical Therapy (satisfies DPT program prerequisites); or Cognitive-Behavioral Neuroscience (behavior analysis, cognitive neuroscience, and animal behavior, including equine behavioral science electives). Each concentration includes 12–15 free elective hours and concentration-specific advising.

Program Benefits

  • Professional-school ready in four years — complete all medical school (TMDSAS/MCAT) or physical therapy (DPT) prerequisites inside the 120-credit neuroscience degree, with no extra semesters.
  • Direct pipeline to Tarleton’s own Doctor of Physical Therapy program and forthcoming Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.
  • The only neuroscience program in Texas integrating equine and animal behavioral science — including Horse Handling Techniques and Equine Behavior Modification coursework.
  • Four career-aligned concentrations with a designated concentration advisor from day one.
  • MCAT-advantaged major: the 2015 MCAT added 18 neuroscience content categories, making neuroscience one of the most strategically valuable pre-med majors.
  • Hands-on undergraduate research through faculty mentorship and variable-credit research hours (NRSC 4086), with emphasis on computational modeling and AI.

Courses

Visit the University Catalog

More About the Program

Tarleton’s undergraduate neuroscience program launched in 2023 and has grown consistently every year, mirroring national demand: the number of neuroscience majors nationwide grew roughly 600% between 2008–09 and 2023. Beginning Fall 2027, the program’s four career-aligned concentrations make Tarleton the only Texas regional university with a formalized pre-medicine neuroscience pathway — a structure otherwise found at institutions such as Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, UT Dallas, and Texas A&M.
The program emphasizes hands-on research: students earn variable research credit (NRSC 4086) working directly with faculty mentors, and coursework includes distinctive offerings such as NRSC 4305 Neuromechanics (relevant to robotics, prosthetics, and motor neuroscience) and NRSC 4390 Introduction to AI, reflecting the program’s emphasis on computational modeling and artificial intelligence. The Cognitive-Behavioral concentration draws on Tarleton’s nationally recognized equine and animal science programs, with prescribed electives in Horse Handling Techniques (ANSC 2305) and Equine Behavior Modification (ANSC 3335) — a student experience unavailable at any other Texas neuroscience program. Advising guides for each concentration are being developed with Pre-Health Advising, and every student receives concentration-specific advising from a designated advisor.

Offered Concentrations

Four concentrations, effective Fall 2027:

  • General Neuroscience — research track for Ph.D. and biomedical science careers
  • Pre-Medicine — M.D./D.O. preparation; TMDSAS- and MCAT-aligned
  • Pre-Physical Therapy — DPT preparation, aligned with Tarleton’s DPT program
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Neuroscience — clinical neuropsychology, ABA/BCBA, and animal/equine behavior pathways

Video Overview

Learning Outcomes

  • Synthesize foundational knowledge of neural structure, function, systems, and terminology — integrating neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuropharmacology from the cellular to the systemic level.
  • Explain how brain systems give rise to emotion, cognition, movement, behavior, and disease.
  • Relate neuroscience to other scientific disciplines and to modern research questions through the lens of history, philosophy, and ethics.

Career Outcomes

  • Physician (M.D./D.O., after medical school) — the Pre-Medicine concentration satisfies all TMDSAS prerequisites for Texas medical schools.
  • Physical Therapist (DPT, after PT school) — graduates arrive “DPT-ready on day one”; employment projected to grow 17% through 2032.
  • Research Scientist / Ph.D. candidate — the General concentration provides the chemistry, physics, calculus, and research experience doctoral programs expect (medical scientist roles projected +11% growth).

Certification and Licensure Preparation

  • Satisfies all TMDSAS prerequisite coursework for application to Texas medical schools (M.D./D.O.).
  • Aligned with all four MCAT content sections, including the neuroscience content added in the 2015 MCAT revision.
  • Maps to all 17 AAMC Core Competencies (2023 update) for entering medical students.
  • Satisfies CAPTE-accredited DPT program prerequisite areas (anatomy, physiology, motor control, psychology, statistics).
  • Aligns with NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination) content categories (~27% neuromuscular).
  • Cognitive-Behavioral concentration maps to BACB Task List areas supporting the BCBA certification pathway (post-graduate coursework required).
  • Aligns with Houston Conference Guidelines for preparation toward clinical neuropsychology doctoral training.
Learn about Certification and Licensure

Admissions Requirements

  • Standard Tarleton State University freshman or transfer admission — no separate program application is required to declare the neuroscience major.
  • Students entering Fall 2027 or later declare one of the four concentrations with advising support.
  • Transfer coursework is evaluated individually for equivalency by the designated concentration advisor.
    [Confirm any GPA or additional criteria with Admissions.]

Credit for Prior Learning

Transfer students: prior coursework at other institutions is evaluated for equivalency on an individual basis by the designated concentration advisor.

Learn about Credit for Prior Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

Program Flyer

B.S in Neuroscience Flyer
Download Program Flyer (PDF)

Advising Guide

B.S Neurosciences 2025-2026 Advising Guide
View the Advising Guide (PDF)
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