Neuroscience (BSc) | Neuroscience

Curious about how the nervous system influences thoughts, behaviour, and health?

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the structure and function of the nervous system. At York University, you’ll examine how neural systems shape cognition, emotion, and physiological processes, and how this knowledge can help address neurological and mental health challenges.

Jointly offered by the Faculty of Health and the Faculty of Science at the Keele Campus, our interdisciplinary Neuroscience program allows you to approach the study of the nervous system through the lenses of biology, psychology, and health science.

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Duration

4 Years

Degrees

Specialized Honours (BSc)

Intake

Fall (Sept)

Study Options

Full-time

Delivery

In-person

Why Choose Neuroscience at York U?

Learn from internationally recognized researchers in sensory systems, neuroplasticity, neurodevelopment, and disease, addressing today’s most pressing neurological and mental health challenges.

Benefit from smaller neuroscience class sizes and one on one connections with professors in a tight-knit neuroscience community among the larger Faculties of Science and Health.
Customize your learning by specializing in cellular/molecular, cognitive/behavioural or systems neuroscience.
Get involved in research within your studies through course-based projects, your final year capstone, or in labs such as the Centre for Vision Research and Sensorimotor Control Lab.
Benefit from academic advising, (free) peer mentoring and tutoring, and an extensive student community whether a student in the Faculty of Health or in the Faculty of Science.

Entry Pathways

There are three entry pathways into the Neuroscience program, all leading to a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Neuroscience. Choose the one that best matches your interests and academic strengths:

Kinesiology & Health Science (Housed in the Faculty of Health) [OUAC Code YHU]
Psychology (Housed in the Faculty of Health) [OUAC Code YHU]
Biology (Housed in the Faculty of Science) [OUAC Code YVA]

There is no difference in admission requirements between each entry pathway.

Your choice of entry pathway determines your home Faculty which offers services and supports to you as a current student such as Academic Advising, Peer Mentorship, Peer Tutoring, and more.

Admission Requirements

There is no difference in admission requirements between each entry pathway.

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Kinesiology and Health Science Entry Pathway [OUAC Code YHU]:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
ENG4U  with at least an 80%
MHF4U with at least an 80%
SBI4U with at least an 80%
SCH4U with at least an 80%
And two additional 4U or M courses
Overall average of at least low to mid 80s

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Psychology Entry Pathway [OUAC Code YHU]:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
ENG4U  with at least an 80%
MHF4U with at least an 80%
SBI4U with at least an 80%
SCH4U with at least an 80%
And two additional 4U or M courses
Overall average of at least low to mid 80s

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Biology Entry Pathway [OUAC Code YVA]:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
ENG4U  with at least an 80%
MHF4U with at least an 80%
SBI4U with at least an 80%
SCH4U with at least an 80%
And two additional 4U or M courses
Overall average of at least low to mid 80s

Requirements will vary depending on your curriculum and previous training, please visit Future Students Admission Requirements for more information.

Your Program by Entry Pathway

While first-year courses vary slightly by entry pathway, your choice will not affect your upper-year courses.

In all three entry pathways, students take introductory courses in Biology, Math, and Psychology, Frontiers of Neuroscience, and upper year courses such as Fundamental Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Neuroscience Techniques, Statistics, Neural Basis of Behaviour, and Functional Neuroanatomy.

Neuroscience Specializations

At the end of second year, all Neuroscience students (regardless of entry pathway) choose a specialization stream and complete at least 12 credits in it.

Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience
Systems Neuroscience

Sample Courses

The following sample core courses would be taken by students in Neuroscience regardless of their entry pathways or specialization stream.

Frontiers of Neuroscience
Fundamental Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Systems, Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience
Neuroscience Techniques
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
Functional Neuroanatomy

Principles of Neurorehabilitation
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience with Applications to Health
Neurobiology
Neuroscience of Aging & Cognitive Health
Disorders of Visual Cognition
Sensory Systems
Neural Control of Movement

Experiential Learning Opportunities in Neuroscience

The Neuroscience program emphasizes experiential learning through:

Interviews
Case-studies, simulations
Team critical reflections
Research within your studies such as the capstone project

Neuroscience Capstone Experience

In your final year, you’ll complete a Neuroscience Capstone Project — either an individual project or a team-based project — that addresses current research questions in neuroscience. These projects are often connected to ongoing work in research labs, clinical settings, or community organizations. Therefore, can be on-campus or with an industry or hospital partner.

Optional Co-op

As a Neuroscience student, you can choose to participate in an optional Co-operative (Co-op) program, gaining paid, full-time work experience during your degree. Co-op is a great way to apply your learning, build your professional network, and develop valuable, transferable skills for your future career. If you're a Neuroscience student in the Faculty of Science, please visit the Science Co-op Program for details. If you are a student in the Faculty of Health, please visit the Health Co-op Program to learn more.

Career Outcomes

A BSc in Neuroscience prepares you for a wide range of future opportunities, from graduate school (Master’s or PhD) and professional school (such as medicine) to entry into the workforce.

Graduates may pursue careers in areas such as research, teaching, rehabilitation, health case management, medicine, regulatory affairs, and more.

Becoming a Psychologist or Psychotherapist

To become a psychologist or psychotherapist in Ontario, a master’s or PhD is required. You can use your BSc in Neuroscience to apply to accredited graduate programs. Start researching program requirements early through school websites or reliable online resources.

Becoming a Physician

To become a Physician in Ontario, this requires a medical degree after your BSc Neuroscience. Admission requirements vary for medical schools. Begin your research early to help ensure you meet the application requirements.

Becoming a Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in psychiatry. This requires pursuing a medical degree after your BSc in Neuroscience. Admission requirements vary for medical schools. Begin your research early to help ensure you meet the application requirements.

FAQs

Below are some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan and prepare.

No. The admission requirements are the same for all three entry pathways, so applying to more than one does not increase your chances. If one Faculty receives more qualified applicants than available spaces, you may be considered for an alternative pathway or for admission to the department or school that hosts that pathway.

No one entry pathway is better than another. All three lead to a BSc in Neuroscience and share the same admission requirements with very little differences in courses in the first year and no difference in courses in upper years.

The main difference is your home Faculty as Kinesiology &Health Science and Psychology entry pathway students would be in the Faculty of Health and Biology in the Faculty of Science. Your home Faculty provides your academic advising, student supports, and services throughout your degree.

Yes. Your entry pathway is the department or school where you begin your Neuroscience studies — Biology, Kinesiology & Health Science, or Psychology. This determines your home Faculty (Faculty of Health or Faculty of Science), which provides your academic advising, peer mentorship, tutoring, and student services. While first-year courses may vary slightly depending on your entry pathway, this has no impact on your upper-year courses.

Your stream specialization is chosen at the end of your second year and would affect your courses in your third and fourth year. The specialization streams are Cellular & Molecular, Cognitive & Behavioural, and Systems Neuroscience.

You must complete at least 12 credits in your chosen stream and at least 12 credits across the other two, giving you both depth and breadth in your studies.

In your first year, you'll be introduced to the core areas of Neuroscience through the Frontiers of Neuroscience course, with further exploration in second year. You'll also have access to faculty researchers and dedicated advising staff to help guide your decision.

Current York U students looking to transfer into the Neuroscience program will be considered on a case-by-case basis if space permits and if they meet the following requirements:

Completed NRSC 1001 or have the permission of the course director to take the course in the upcoming year AND
Earned at least 24 science credits at York with an overall cumulative GPA of 7.0 (B+) or better, AND
Completed BIOL 1000, BIOL 1001, and PSYC 1010 with a minimum grade of 4.0 (C).

Once the requirements are completed, students should submit a MyProgram request for Change in Major by June 1st for review. Permission to transfer should be provided by July.

Yes, the Neuroscience program does consider college and university transfer applicants for admission. This program is looking for an overall GPA of at least a B/3.0 as well as successful completion of high school pre-requisites:

MHF4U with at least an 80%
SBI4U with at least an 80%
SCH4U with at least an 80%

Pre-requisite equivalents can be considered if taken at a college or university level. In this case, the pre-requisites taken at a college or university would be:

MATH with at least a B
BIOL with at least a B
CHEM with at least a B

Please note that no transfer credit will be granted for and Neuroscience major courses.

For more details, please visit Future Students Admission Requirements

Learn More

Please contact us if you have any questions about applying for Faculty of Health or Faculty of Science programs, your application status, or your next steps after receiving an offer of admission.

Faculty of Health Recruitment Office: hlthrec@yorku.ca

Faculty of Science Recruitment Office: science@yorku.ca