Integrative Neuroscience

General Information

The Integrative Neuroscience program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of neuroscience, with a goal to understand the function of the nervous system at the molecular, structural, behavioural and cognitive levels. The program is housed in the Faculty of Science, and is jointly offered by the faculties of Science, Health Sciences, and Social Science and Humanities. The program integrates the study of the nervous system at the cellular level and how this influences functional circuits at the macroscopic level, which together form the basis of behaviour, movement and neurological diseases. In addition, the program studies neuroscience from an evolutionary perspective and includes a comparative analysis of the nervous system and behaviour among different animal groups.

Students graduating from this program will be well equipped for careers in the biological sciences, for post-degree opportunities such as medicine, dentistry, optometry and physical or occupational therapy, and to enter graduate programs in the neuroscience area.

In addition to the regular program, a co-op program is also available.  Students in Integrative Neuroscience interested in the co-op program should contact the Faculty of Science Co-op Coordinator as early as the fall of their second year.

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), and two of Biology (SBI4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), or Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in math and science courses is required. It is recommended that all four MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and SPH4U be taken. All other applicants should refer to admissions  for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Program details and degree requirements

Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change.

Year 1 (30 credit hours)

• Elective*
• BIOL 1010U – Biology I: Molecular and Cellular Systems
• BIOL 1020U – Biology II: Diversity of Life and Principles of Ecology
• CHEM 1010U – Chemistry I
• CHEM 1020U – Chemistry II
• CSCI 1040U – Introduction to Programming for Scientists
• MATH 1015U – Mathematics for Bioscience ⁺⁺
• PHY 1030U – Introductory Physics ⁺⁺
• PHY 1040U – Physics for Biosciences ⁺⁺
• PSYC 1000U – Introductory Psychology

• 
  ⁺⁺Students who wish to take upper-year physics courses must take MATH 1000U  or MATH 1010U , MATH 1020U , PHY 1010U  or PHY 1030U , and PHY 1020U  . However, students who achieve a B standing or higher in PHY 1040U  will be permitted to proceed to higher-level physics courses. Students who wish to take upper-year mathematics courses must take MATH 1000U  or MATH 1010U , and MATH 1020U .

Year 2 (30 credit hours)

• Elective*
• BIOL 2010U – Human Physiology
• BIOL 2020U – Genetics and Molecular Biology
• BIOL 2030U – Cell Biology
• BIOL 2050U – Human Anatomy
• BIOL 2080U – Biochemistry I
• CHEM 2020U – Introduction to Organic Chemistry
• NSCI 2400U – Introduction to Movement Neuroscience
• PSYC 2050U – Brain and Behaviour
• STAT 2020U – Statistics and Probability for Biological Science

Year 3 (30 credit hours)

• Two electives*
• BIOL 3020U – Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology
• BIOL 3060U – Fundamentals of Neuroscience
• BIOL 3610U – Comparative Zoology
• NSCI 3410U – Motor Control and Learning
• NSCI 3470U – Anatomy of Human Movement
• PSYC 2010U – Developmental Psychology
• PSYC 2030U – Abnormal Psychology
• PSYC 2060U – Cognitive Psychology

Year 4 (30 credit hours)

• Elective*
• Senior Science elective*
• BIOL 4080U – Bioethics
• BIOL 4620U – Animal Behaviour
• BIOL 4820U – Neuropharmacology
• NSCI 4414U – Advanced Topics in Neuromuscular Physiology and Pathophysiology
• NSCI 4808U – Exploring Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
• NSCI 4999U – Advanced Topics in Integrative Neuroscience

• One of:

• NSCI 4410U – Integrative Neuroscience Thesis Project I ** or
• Senior Biology elective

• One of:

• NSCI 4420U – Integrative Neuroscience Thesis Project II ** or
• Senior Biology elective

Notes:

No more than 42 credit hours may be taken at the first-year level.

*Electives and breadth requirements

In order to satisfy breadth requirements, students must complete 18 elective credit hours, including one Senior Science elective. A Senior Science elective is defined as any 3000 or 4000-level science course not specified in the course map. Twelve credit hours must be in courses outside of the Faculty of Science.

**Thesis Project or Senior Biology electives

Students in clear academic standing who have completed 90 credit hours of their program and six third-year required courses may optionally apply to take a two-course sequence consisting of NSCI 4410U – Integrative Neuroscience Thesis Project I  and NSCI 4420U – Integrative Neuroscience Thesis Project II . Students not accepted to take the thesis courses must complete two additional Senior Biology electives instead. A Senior Biology elective is defined as any 4000-level biology course not specified in the course map.