Neural science is a collection of disciplines unified by a concern for the function of the brain. Experimental approaches in neural science vary from analyses of molecular and cellular mechanisms in nerve cells and groups of nerve cells to behavioral and psychological studies of whole organisms. Theoretical tools include mathematical and computational modeling approaches that have proved useful in other areas of science. Experimental questions include issues related to biophysical and neurochemical mechanisms within single nerve cells, functional neural circuits consisting of small numbers of neurons, the behavior of large systems of neurons, and the relationship between the activity of elements of the nervous system and the behavior of organisms.

The undergraduate Neural Science curriculum blends core introductory courses on the function of individual nerve cells and sensory and motor processing with more specialized neural science electives, which allow students to study learning and memory, computational approaches, cognition, development, and brain disorders.  

In addition to coursework, all students are also encouraged to take advantage of CNS's rich lab research opportunities.