2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Physiology and Neuroscience, BS (PHYSNEURO-BS)

CIP Code: 260901

Program Description:

The Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Physiology and Neuroscience. The curriculum offers students an in-depth foundation in physiology and neuroscience developed from the ground up by an interdisciplinary team of Wright State University faculty. This program uniquely emphasizes how prerequisite coursework from multiple fields of science relates to and can be applied to physiological and neuroscientific concepts. This is achieved via pedagogical best practices focused on engaging students in their learning such that they are actively involved in understanding these concepts and ideas and fostering scientific creativity and critical thinking.

The Program’s coursework focuses on foundational neuroscience topics related to cellular neuroscience, physiological neuroscience, and behavioral neuroscience. Additionally, coursework will be complemented with foundational physiology and anatomy topics related to homeostasis, metabolism, and the function and structure of various organ systems of the body. These will be supplemented with training in fundamental research techniques, as well as opportunities to work with faculty members on cutting-edge research in these fields.

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, public policy, scientific writing, and law.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

The Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience program is focused on in-depth physiology and neuroscience content knowledge centered around four main learning goals: organization of the various systems of the body, cellular and organ system physiology, peripheral and central information processing, and how various systems of the body work together to elicit behavioral and physiological responses to conditional needs.

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Map out the various systems of the body.
Predict direct changes to the physiology of cells and organ systems, as various perturbations occur.
Describe how the body senses, processes, and perceives stimuli to elicit a response.

In addition to the content knowledge, physiology and neuroscience majors will develop an array of broadly applicable skills, including being able to:

Independently search for existing scientific data and techniques.
Critically evaluate results; identifying the methods used to obtain them, and how to interpret them.
Proficiently use a variety of laboratory research techniques to address scientific questions.
Collaborate with colleagues, including peers, faculty, and staff.
Effectively communicate scientific information in both oral and written formats.
Implement the scientific process to address both hypothetical and actual scientific questions.
Problem-solve by identifying the variables and resources available.
Design effective and logical research experiments to address scientific questions.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Model how various organ systems work together to meet the biological needs of an organism due to intrinsic or extrinsic demands.
Recognize the interdisciplinarity of various scientific and mathematical fields with physiology and neuroscience.
Apply the scientific process to new biomedical situations.
Collaborate with peers and convey scientific information to others.

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
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
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 and Behavorial 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. Physiology and Neuroscience Core Requirements: 28 Credit Hours

Note: Students must complete all courses in II. Physiology and Neuroscience Core Requirements with a grade of “C” or better.

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
NEU 3200 - How the Nervous System Works II Credit Hour(s): 4
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
or
PSY 3930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
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
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
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
and
NEU 4040 - Senior Capstone: Physiology and Neuroscience Experimental Design Credit Hour(s): 2

III. Physiology and Neuroscience Electives and Requirements: 12 Credit Hours

Select four courses from the list below. One must be an NEU course. Up to 1 non-listed 3000- or 4000-level PSY course may count towards the four courses.

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
BIO 4420 - Advanced Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4460 - Advanced Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4670 - Neuromuscular Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3
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
COM 4250 - Health Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
FR 1120 - Medical French Credit Hour(s): 3
NEU 3400 - Advanced Neuroscience Lab Techniques: Microscopy Credit Hour(s): 4
NEU 4200 - Neuronal-Immune System Cross-Talk in Homeostasis Credit Hour(s): 3
NEU 4400 - Developmental Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 3
NEU 4500 - Neuron-Glia Biology and Disease Credit Hour(s): 3
NEU 4600 - Computational Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 3
NEU 4990 - Independent Research in Physiology and Neuroscience Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
PN 4000 - Hospital Elder Life Program Credit Hour(s): 3
PN 4700 - Introduction to Neuropathology Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 3300 - Community Health Improvement Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 4770 - Epidemiology and Community Health 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
PSY 3010L - Research Methods in Psychology I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
PSY 3020 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3020L - Research Methods in Psychology II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
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
SPN 1120 - Medical Spanish Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. Related Course Requirements: 32 Credit Hours

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
and
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 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2
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
and
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: 11 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

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.

Physiology and Neuroscience, BS (GPS)