With expert instruction in both cognitive neuroscience and molecular and cellular neuroscience, USD offers you an enriching education that speaks to your curiosity. Take exciting classes and engage in innovative research as you study the brain and the nervous system.
As a neuroscience major at USD, you will take innovative classes and gain hands-on experience as you study the brain and the nervous system. Our program not only provides you with a strong foundation in neuroscience, but also prepares you for the exciting challenges of the field; you'll uncover contemporary issues and problems, study sensation and perception, explore neurobiology and even participate in discussions and presentations that mirror the professional space. You'll also get hands-on research experience, benefiting from our department's state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship from expert faculty.
By specializing in either cognitive or molecular and cellular neuroscience, you'll prepare yourself for your unique path. Whether you are interested in a career or graduate studies in behavioral or clinical neuroscience, biomedical science, clinical neuropsychology, medicine, the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, physical therapy, science writing or another field, USD will help you get there.
Experience a hands-on education and enter a growing and exciting field as a neuroscience major at USD.
Learn about the brain and the nervous system by studying neuroscience. Through this program you'll choose one of two neuroscience subfields – cognitive or molecular and cellular – so you can develop your specialty and prepare for your unique career path and/or graduate study.
As a neuroscience major with a specialization in cognitive neuroscience, you will study the brain and the nervous system with an emphasis on cognitive psychology. Your education will be tailored to your unique interests and goals, focusing on neural bases of mental processes and behaviors.
As a neuroscience major with a specialization in molecular and cellular neuroscience, you will learn about the brain and the nervous system with an emphasis on biology and physiology. You'll explore the mechanisms that control construction and maintenance of molecular and cellular circuits, preparing you for your unique career path or further education.
This 3+3 program is available to current USD students pursuing a B.S. in health sciences with a specialization in clinical studies; a B.S. in kinesiology and sport management with a specialization in exercise science; or a B.S. in neuroscience with a specialization in cognitive neuroscience. The accelerated track will allow the undergraduate program to count 20 hours of the first year of a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree toward the electives in the B.S. degree. The student will complete 100 hours by the end of the third year toward the undergraduate degree.
A minor in neuroscience will help you develop critical thinking and research skills as you learn about the brain and how people think. You'll take classes like Neurobiology, Exploring Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology.
Program Details
College
Department
Contact
As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.
In the USD Department of Psychology, students have access to valuable undergraduate research opportunities, studying everything from video games to alcohol use and personality to prejudice.
As a neuroscience major at USD, you will be able to work in labs connected to advanced neuroscience research with a wide variety of faculty who are experts in the field. USD's Department of Psychology, Department of Biology and Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences – housed in the state's only medical school – offer hands-on learning environments and mentorship that enable you to find answers to your questions and gain research experience that sets you apart.
The Department of Psychology is home to a dozen research labs – including brain-monitoring equipment, driving/flight simulators and an instrumented research vehicle. We also run a fully functioning mental health clinic and the Disaster Mental Health Institute, a world-class service and research center.
Psychology Club (also called Psi Chi) holds both social and educational events throughout the school year, including a kick-off ice cream social open to all students interested in psychology.
Psi Chi is a local chapter of the National Honor Society for Psychology, promoting student involvement in ongoing department research and in developing their own research projects and sponsoring psychology-related events throughout the year. Christopher Berghoff, Ph.D., serves as the faculty advisor.
Expand your understanding of the human mind and behavior as you develop strengths in research, critical thinking, advocacy and service.
Research, explore and experience the study of life from the molecule to large biomes in the Department of Biology.
Housed in the state's only medical school, the Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences creates an environment of innovative and interdisciplinary research aimed at examining human disease.
|
|
SD Residents, SD Advantage* & Child of Alumni
|
Out-of-State
|
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition (30 cr.)
|
9432
|
12942
|
|
Fees (30 cr.)
|
1659
|
1659
|
|
Books (estimate)
|
1200
|
1200
|
|
Housing
|
4890
|
4890
|
|
Food Service
|
4194
|
4194
|
|
Total
|
|
|
* SD Advantage: The in-state rate is available to new undergraduate students who are residents of South Dakota, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (starting Summer 2024), Minnesota (starting Summer 2024), Missouri (starting Summer 2024), Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming and children of alumni of USD.
This is an estimated annual cost. Other factors may change the cost of tuition.
Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities.
Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.
USD awards nearly $9.5 million in scholarships each year. View our scholarships to see which ones you may qualify for and how you can apply.
The neuroscience program at USD has allowed me to conduct research with amazing faculty mentors who have gone above and beyond to help me achieve my post-graduate goals.
Kristen Quigley
B.S. Neuroscience, Cognitive, '22
