Congratulations on your admission to UCLA!
In the spirit of Bruin Bound, we want to welcome you to the Undergraduate Interdepartmental Program for Neuroscience!
Below are steps to ensure a successful transition to UCLA as neuroscience major.
In the spirit of Bruin Bound, we want to welcome you to the Undergraduate Interdepartmental Program for Neuroscience!
Below are steps to ensure a successful transition to UCLA as neuroscience major.
- The best thing you can do is to sign up for an Orientation Session in the summer. You will get lots of information about UCLA and the Neuroscience major.
- Subscribe your email to the Neuroscience Mailing List at New Student Orientation over summer OR by emailing neurosci@ucla.edu.
- If you are a transfer student, please visit our webpage with specific transfer information: http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/prospective-and-incoming-transfer-students.html
- Make sure to follow us on social media! You can find us under @ucla_undergrad_neuroscience on Instagram and UCLA Undergraduate Neuroscience IDP on Facebook.
- To learn more about program goals, student involvement and other life science majors, download our flyer!
![]()
|
Neuroscience at UCla

The UCLA Undergraduate Interdepartmental program for Neuroscience was started in 1992 and has significantly increased over time.
Meet the Neuroscience Faculty & Staff!
You can see the list here: http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/people.html
Advising
Once you are a student on campus, you are able to make an advising appointment with one of the neuroscience counselors.
You can find information here:
http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/advising.html
Program Goals
Upon completion of the Neuroscience major, students should be able to:
1. Define the molecular, cellular, and tissue-level organization of the central and peripheral nervous system
2. Understand the properties of cells that make up the nervous system including the propagation of electrical signals used for cellular communication.
3. Relate the properties of individual cells to their function in organized neural circuits and systems.
4. Understand how the interaction of cells and neural circuits leads to higher level activities such as cognition and behavior.
5. Generate testable scientific hypotheses and develop research plans to test these hypotheses.
6. Evaluate and discuss primary research literature and evaluate the validity of hypotheses generated by others.
7. Work on research projects independently and in small group settings.
8.Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Meet the Neuroscience Faculty & Staff!
You can see the list here: http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/people.html
Advising
Once you are a student on campus, you are able to make an advising appointment with one of the neuroscience counselors.
You can find information here:
http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/advising.html
Program Goals
Upon completion of the Neuroscience major, students should be able to:
1. Define the molecular, cellular, and tissue-level organization of the central and peripheral nervous system
2. Understand the properties of cells that make up the nervous system including the propagation of electrical signals used for cellular communication.
3. Relate the properties of individual cells to their function in organized neural circuits and systems.
4. Understand how the interaction of cells and neural circuits leads to higher level activities such as cognition and behavior.
5. Generate testable scientific hypotheses and develop research plans to test these hypotheses.
6. Evaluate and discuss primary research literature and evaluate the validity of hypotheses generated by others.
7. Work on research projects independently and in small group settings.
8.Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Student Involvement
For detailed information regarding student involvement and how you get involved check out the student involvement page. This will lead you to student organization pages and their contact information. Click here: http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/involvement.html |
Research |

The benefit of neuroscience research is you have so many options to get involved!
Students can get involved in research through the college or through the medical school.
If you are interested, visit our research page for tips on how to get started!
http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/research.html
In 2019, over 80 neuroscience majors and minors presented at the Annual Neuroscience Poster Day.
Students were able to showcase the research they facilitated for their capstone project. Out of the 80 students, six students were selected from a panel of faculty judges to receive a certificate and prize for their presentation skills.
Students can get involved in research through the college or through the medical school.
If you are interested, visit our research page for tips on how to get started!
http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/research.html
In 2019, over 80 neuroscience majors and minors presented at the Annual Neuroscience Poster Day.
Students were able to showcase the research they facilitated for their capstone project. Out of the 80 students, six students were selected from a panel of faculty judges to receive a certificate and prize for their presentation skills.

The Brain Research Institute at UCLA is a great resource for the neuroscience program at UCLA for both students and faculty!
Founded in 1959, the Brain Research Institute is a proud supporter of research and collaboration.
Today, there are 300 faculty associated, with over 30 departments on campus represented.
The Brain Research Institute houses the Interdepartmental Ph.D Program for Neuroscience which currently, comprises approximately 80 doctoral students. On average, 15 new students enter the program every year.
The UCLA Brain Research Institute coordinates a large portion of neuroscience educational programs on campus. The events include the Annual BRI Poster Day, weekly joint seminars and sponsors several conferences such as the Society for Neuroscience.
In its capacity as administrative home for the Undergraduate Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, the BRI provides oversight of program staffing, administrative and IT support, and financial support for selected undergraduate activities. The BRI has generously been a great supporter of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Poster Day, providing the prizes the winners receive, pictured above.
You can see the full list of faculty members as well as the calendar events on their website. To learn more, visit: http://www.bri.ucla.edu/
Founded in 1959, the Brain Research Institute is a proud supporter of research and collaboration.
Today, there are 300 faculty associated, with over 30 departments on campus represented.
The Brain Research Institute houses the Interdepartmental Ph.D Program for Neuroscience which currently, comprises approximately 80 doctoral students. On average, 15 new students enter the program every year.
The UCLA Brain Research Institute coordinates a large portion of neuroscience educational programs on campus. The events include the Annual BRI Poster Day, weekly joint seminars and sponsors several conferences such as the Society for Neuroscience.
In its capacity as administrative home for the Undergraduate Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, the BRI provides oversight of program staffing, administrative and IT support, and financial support for selected undergraduate activities. The BRI has generously been a great supporter of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Poster Day, providing the prizes the winners receive, pictured above.
You can see the full list of faculty members as well as the calendar events on their website. To learn more, visit: http://www.bri.ucla.edu/