2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Combined Physiology and Neuroscience, BS & Physiology and Neuroscience, MS (PHNR-MS-PREG)

Program Description

The Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology offers a combined 4+1 program leading to Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) degrees over a five year plan of study. The program allows 9 credit hours of overlapping courses, where credit is given at both the undergraduate (UG) and graduate (GR) level facilitating both BS and MS completion in five years.

The Program’s coursework focuses on foundational topics related to cellular and systems level physiology and neuroscience. Two different tracks will be available to complete the master’s degree requirements, a course option or a thesis option. The thesis option is supplemented with training in fundamental research techniques, as well as opportunities to work with faculty members on cutting-edge research.

This Program will aid in students being competitively prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including, but not limited to: scientific research, medicine, education, biotechnology, and scientific writing.

Admission Requirements

Only exceptionally well-prepared students are admitted to the program. Qualified applicants must have the following:

At least 90 credit hours by the end of the semester in which they are applying;
A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on all undergraduate coursework, including undergraduate credits earned at other institutions and transferred to Wright State;
Completion of NEU 3100, NEU 3200, as well as BMB 4210 and BMB 4230 or BMB 4001 with grades of “B” or better;
Approval of the undergraduate program director;
Approval of the graduate program director.

Program Learning Outcomes

The main goal of our program is to prepare students for careers in fields related to physiology and neuroscience and/or admission into graduate and further professional degree programs. The Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience portion of the program is focused on in-depth neuroscience content knowledge centered around four main learning goals: organization of the nervous system, cellular neurophysiology, information processing, and neural networks and behavior. In addition to the content knowledge, neuroscience majors will develop an array of broadly applicable skills, including: independent learning, ability to critically evaluate evidence, proficiency in a variety of laboratory research techniques, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, effective communication, quantitative literacy, ability to implement the scientific process, ability to problem solve, and research design competency. Additionally, within the Physiology and Neuroscience Master of Science program students will undertake course work and/or research to provide expert level knowledge, critical reasoning, scientific analysis, and experimental design skills in order to prepare students for a career in the sciences or for further professional study.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 37 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete one second-year writing course from the choices below:
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 2140 - Research, Technical Writing, and Presentation for Scientists and Engineers Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 4 Credit Hours

Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course below.

Required:

MTH 2240 - Applied Calculus Credit Hour(s): 4 OR
MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Required:

PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 1010L - Introduction to Psychology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
Select an additional Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with a different course prefix (not PSY) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 8 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Required:

BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1120L - Cells & Genes Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1150L - Organisms & Ecosystems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1210R - General Chemistry Lab I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Neuroscience Core Requirements: 25 Credit Hours

Note: At the undergraduate level students must complete all CoSM courses required for the Program with a grade of “C” or better. However, NEU 3100, NEU 3200, as well as BMB 4210 and BMB 4230 or BMB 4001 must be completed with grades of “B” or better for admission into the program.

Neuroscience Core Courses:
NEU 1010 - Introduction to the Physiology and Neuroscience Program Credit Hour(s): 1
NEU 1020 - The Neuroscience of Learning Credit Hour(s): 1
NEU 2010 - Introduction of Neuroscience Research Credit Hour(s): 2
NEU 3100 - How the Nervous System Works I Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
NEU 3200 - How the Nervous System Works II Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
Second Year Introduction to Neuroscience:
PSY 3910 - Behavioral Neuroscience I Credit Hour(s): 3
and
PSY 3920 - Behavioral Neuroscience II Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 3100L - Human Structure and Function I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
and
ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
Laboratory Research Experience:

A 4000-level NEU elective course may count if 2 semesters of research have been completed.
NEU 3400 - Advanced Neuroscience Lab Techniques: Microscopy Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
or
PSY 3930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
or
BIO 3050 - Animal Physiology Credit Hour(s): 5
BIO 3050L - Animal Physiology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
or
BIO 3140 - Molecular Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3.5
BIO 3140R - Molecular Biology Laboratory Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
or
BMB 3850 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3
or
PSY 3830 - Cognitive Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
Senior Capstone:
5 credits of NEU 4990 must be completed for the NEU 4990 Capstone requirement.
NEU 4020 - Senior Capstone: Physiology and Neuroscience Laboratory Research Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
and
NEU 4990 - Independent Research in Physiology and Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
OR
NEU 4030 - Senior Capstone: Physiology and Neuroscience Review Article Credit Hour(s): 2 (IW)
and
NEU 4040 - Senior Capstone: Physiology and Neuroscience Experimental Design Credit Hour(s): 2 (IW)

III. Neuroscience Electives and Requirements: 12 Credit Hours

PN 6200 - Neuronal-Immune System Cross-Talk in Homeostasis Credit Hour(s): 3
PN 6400 - Development Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 3
PN 6550 - Neuron-Glia Biology and Disease Credit Hour(s): 3
Choose one from the list below
ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 3100L - Human Structure and Function I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 3050 - Animal Physiology Credit Hour(s): 5
BIO 3050L - Animal Physiology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 4020 - Current Literature in Biology Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
BIO 4420 - Advanced Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4460 - Advanced Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
BMB 4400 - Human Microbiome Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4444 - Cell Signaling Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4450 - Medical Biochemistry Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4750 - Molecular Biology of Cancer Credit Hour(s): 3
NEU 3400 - Advanced Neuroscience Lab Techniques: Microscopy Credit Hour(s): 4
NEU 4990 - Independent Research in Physiology and Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
PN 6300 - Medical Cell Biology and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3000 - Psychology Core Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
PSY 3010 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
PSY 3010L - Research Methods in Psychology I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0 (IW)
PSY 3020 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
PSY 3020L - Research Methods in Psychology II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0 (IW)
PSY 3210 - Cognition and Learning Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3710 - Perception Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3820 - Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3910 - Behavioral Neuroscience I Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3920 - Behavioral Neuroscience II Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 4910 - Psychobiology of Stress Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PSY 4920 - Clinical Neuroscience Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PSY 4930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Education Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PSY 4940 - Animal Behavior Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SM 2100 - Interdisciplinary Scientific Inquiry - ASK Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. Related Course Requirements: 31 Credit Hours

BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1150L - Organisms & Ecosystems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
and
PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
and
PHY 1120 - Principles of Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
and
PHY 1120L - Principles of Physics Lab II Credit Hour(s): 1
OR
PHY 2400 - General Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 2400L - General Physics I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
and
PHY 2410 - General Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
and
PHY 2410L - General Physics II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
CHM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2110L - Organic Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 2120 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2120L - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
BMB 4210 - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4230 - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
BMB 4001 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry Credit Hour(s): 3 (if premed)
STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

V. General Electives: 15 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Master of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience - Thesis Option

Note that 9 hours of graduate courses will have already been completed during the undergraduate degree. These courses are the following three, PN 6200, PN 6400 and PN 6550.

Core Courses (Required): 13 Credit Hours

PN 7900 is taken twice.

BMB 7500 - Molecular Biochemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
PN 6100 - Human Physiology Credit Hour(s): 4
PN 7750 - Neuroscience and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 4
PN 7900 - Physiology Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1
PN 8600 - Principles of Biomedical Research Credit Hour(s): 1

Experiential Component (Required): 6 Credit Hours

PN 8990 - Physiology Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 10

Electives: 2 Credit Hours

Any of the listed courses can be used to complete the necessary 30 hours for the Master of Science degree in Physiology and Neuroscience.

ANT 7000 - Topics of Instruction in Human Anatomy Credit Hour(s): 1
ANT 7110 - Human Gross Anatomy Credit Hour(s): 6
ANT 7150 - Advanced Human Embryology Credit Hour(s): 3
ANT 7210 - Human Microanatomy Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 7310 - Human Neurobiology Credit Hour(s): 4
PN 6300 - Medical Cell Biology and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
PN 7010 - Selected Topics in Physiology Credit Hour(s): 1 to 5
PN 7760 - Intercellular Communication Credit Hour(s): 3

Total: 141 Credit Hours

Master of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience - Course Option

Note that 9 hours of graduate courses will have already been completed during the undergraduate degree. These courses are PN 6200, PN 6400 and PN 6550.

Core Courses (Required): 15 Credit Hours

PN 7900 is taken twice.

BMB 7500 - Molecular Biochemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
PN 6100 - Human Physiology Credit Hour(s): 4
PN 6300 - Medical Cell Biology and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
PN 7750 - Neuroscience and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 4
PN 7900 - Physiology Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1

Experiential Component (Required): 4 Credit Hours

ANT 6030 - Biomedical Review Article Credit Hour(s): 2
ANT 6040 - Biomedical Experimental Design Credit Hour(s): 2

Electives: 2 Credit Hours

Any of the listed courses can be used to complete the necessary 30 hours for the Master of Science degree in Physiology and Neuroscience.

ANT 7000 - Topics of Instruction in Human Anatomy Credit Hour(s): 1
ANT 7110 - Human Gross Anatomy Credit Hour(s): 6
ANT 7150 - Advanced Human Embryology Credit Hour(s): 3
ANT 7210 - Human Microanatomy Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 7310 - Human Neurobiology Credit Hour(s): 4
PN 7010 - Selected Topics in Physiology Credit Hour(s): 1 to 5
PN 7760 - Intercellular Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
PN 8600 - Principles of Biomedical Research Credit Hour(s): 1

Total: 141 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.

Combined Physiology and Neuroscience, BS and Physiology and Neuroscience, MS (GPS)