by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Neurobiology & Neurosciences focuses on the study of the brain and nervous system. This is a very important field that will allow you to unlock secrets of how the brain operates. If you are scientific minded with a love of figuring out how things work, this could be a great major for you.
Students of Neurobiology and Neuroscience will study the structure and functions of the brain, the importance of the nervous system, how nerve cells send and receive signals, and the evolution of the brain. You will take a closer look at consciousness and how the brain controls all functions of your body, as well as what can happen when something goes wrong. Part of the major involves studying the effects of drugs and alcohol on your brain and nervous system.
Classes that you will come across in this major are: chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, advanced mathematics, immunology, neurobiology, neuropsychology, physiology, and drugs and behavior.
Concentrations in this major include: Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy, Neurobiology and Anatomy, and Neurobiology and Behavior.
In 2020-2021, neurobiology and neurosciences was the 75th most popular major nationwide with 11,615 degrees awarded. This represents a 9.5% increase in neurobiology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 10,508.
Our 2023 Best Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools ranking analyzes 219 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for neurobiology and neurosciences students. Explore this or one of our many other custom neurobiology rankings further below.
This is a very rigorous and competitive field. Many colleges will only accept a small number of students into this program every year. Be prepared to study meticulously so that you are able to perform both in lecture and lab. It is also important that you know how to work with others and collaborate. This will allow you to get the most thorough and accurate results. Effective organization will allow you to keep up with assignments and meet deadlines.
This major will require analytical, reasoning, and critical thinking skills. You will be asked to research and analyze your results. Patience will be helpful as you solve problems and conduct research. You need to know when to ask for help and when to persevere and try a different approach. Group work will play a large role in your undergraduate studies. Learn to contribute your thoughts and ideas as well as step into the leadership role when needed. Most colleges will require you to design and conduct a research project with the supervision and guidance of a faculty member.
As this is a competitive field to go into, high school students are advised to gain a deep understanding of math and science before applying. Take as many courses in biology, chemistry, math and physics as possible.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most neurobiology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific neurobiology careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of neurobiology degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in neurobiology and neurosciences to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common neurobiology degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to neurobiology, with approximately 26.5% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to neurobiology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 26.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 25.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 25.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 14.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.4% |
Most workers in neurobiology have at least a doctor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in neurobiology and neurosciences have received.
This of course varies depending on which neurobiology career you choose.
This major will prepare you for many different careers in advanced biology. You will be prepared to work as a neuroscientist, in medicine, business, or even law. Other career paths that you could pursue are biotechnology, research, psychology, or even education. Your salary may vary depending on your field.
Want a job when you graduate with your neurobiology degree? Neurobiology & Neurosciences careers are expected to grow 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to neurobiology and neurosciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists | 136,100 | 13.4% |
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Biological Scientists | 41,800 | 8.0% |
Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $28,574 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $15,352 to as high as $43,562. As you might expect, salaries for neurobiology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for neurobiology and neurosciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers neurobiology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Medical Scientists | $96,420 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
With over 687 different neurobiology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased neurobiology school rankings to help you with this.
Neurobiology & Neurosciences is one of 14 different types of Biological & Biomedical Sciences programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Neurosciences | 10,249 |
| Neurobiology & Anatomy | 1,005 |
| Neurobiology & Behavior | 208 |
| Other Neurobiology & Neurosciences | 153 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 107,165 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 14,535 |
| Physiology & Pathology Sciences | 8,813 |
| Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology | 7,247 |
| Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences | 6,206 |
