Department of Psychology Pathway to UBC Neuroscience
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field, using empirical evidence from psychology, biology, chemistry, physics, and other scientific disciplines to study the brain and nervous system.
Students interested in neuroscience can complete the following collection of courses to apply to the undergraduate program in Neuroscience at The University of British Columbia Vancouver campus. These courses explore a variety of topics, including neural transmission, gross neuroanatomy, neurological disorders, cell physiology, organic chemistry, and research design and analysis. This collection of courses also provides a foundation for further studies in neuroscience, biology, biochemistry, medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, kinesiology, and other scientific disciplines.
In order to apply for transfer to the UBC Bachelor of Science with a Major in Neuroscience, you will need the following minimum courses.
*Note: Recent updates to the Neuroscience Program at UBC-Vancouver updated the previous pathway. The previous articulation, LANG PSYC 2320 (3) & LANG PSYC 2321 (3) & LANG PSYC 2331 (3) & LANG PSYC 2333 (3) = UBCV NSCI_V 201 (3) & UBCV PSYC_V 277 (4) & UBCV PSYC_V 278 (4) has changed, but currently remains in effect and allows entry into the pathway.
Pathway to UBC Bachelor of Science with a Major in Neuroscience
First-year courses that ARE prerequisites for other courses:
- PSYC 1115 and PSYC 1215 (take both, in any order or simultaneously)
- BIOL 1115 and BIOL 1215 (BIOL 1115 must be taken before BIOL 1215)
- CHEM 1120 and CHEM 1220 (CHEM 1120 must be taken before CHEM 1220)
First-year courses that are NOT prerequisites for other courses:
- Take two of ENGL 1123, 1129, 1130, or SCIE 113 or SCIE 114 (see Communication Requirements note below)
- PHYS 1125 (PHYS 11125 must be taken either simultaneously or after a C- is obtained in one of the MATH courses below)
- One of MATH 1171, 1175, or MATH 1173 and MATH 1183
Second-year courses:
- PSYC 2321, PSYC 2331, and PSYC 2333
- BIOL 2415, 2315, and BIOL 2330 (students must take CHEM 2216 to receive assigned credit for BIOL 2315)
- CHEM 2216
Note: Students will be required to take NSCI 200 and CPS 103 or 110 in their first semester at UBC-V.
Transfer Process
To enter the UBC-V Neuroscience pathway, students will need to:
- Apply to UBC science in January
- Upon successful application, they would choose Neuroscience as their top of 3 specializations in June
- Students can enter either in either year 2 or year 3 of the program:
- Year 3 (Preferred Pathway): Students would complete all of the above courses. Students would then take NSCI 200 and CPS 103 or 110 upon entry to the program in the Fall semester, in addition to 3rd-year NSCI and PSYC courses. Students can then complete additional 3rd-year NSCI and BIOL courses in the Winter semester.
- Year 2: Students can apply to the program once they have completed the following set of courses: CHEM 1120 + 1220, BIOL 1115 + 1215, MATH 1171 or 1173 & 1183 or 1175, and PHYS 1125.
Please note that completion of the required courses does not guarantee entry into the program, as there are limited seats in the program.
Additional information regarding the application process can be found at: https://neuro.ubc.ca/undergraduate/apply/. For more information on the minimum number of credits needed and other requirements for transferring to UBC, visit https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/requirements/university-college-transfe….
Langara Degree Programs
Currently, this collection of courses does not constitute a degree. It only provides a pathway to the UBC-V Neuroscience program. However, students can receive an Associate of Science: General degree if they complete one additional MATH course.
Communication requirements
Students wishing to complete an Associate of Science Degree (General) before transferring to UBC are recommended to take ENGL 1123 and either ENGL 1129 or ENGL 1130.
Students registered in an Associate of Science Degree (general program and all majors) who plan to transfer without completing an Associate’s Degree can also consider taking ENGL 1123 & SCIE 1113 or 1114.
