PSYC & NRSC Ancillary Requirements
Ancillary courses are a key part of the Psychology (PSYC) and Neuroscience (NRSC) majors. They strengthen your foundation in math and science, support your understanding of research methods and statistics, and prepare you for upper-division coursework.
Some options can also help with grad school or pre-health prerequisites.
⚠️ All ancillary courses must be completed with a C- or better.
(This is not a full list—check your degree audit or talk to your advisor for other approved options!)
To complete the PSYC major, you’ll need:
📌 1 Math Course
📌 1 Natural Science Sequence (2 classes in the same subject)
| Course | Notes |
|---|---|
| MATH 1011 (College Algebra) | Common at many schools; transfers easily. |
| MATH 1212 (Data and Models) | Made specifically for PSYC majors! Best prep for PSYC 2111. |
| MATH 1150 (Precalculus) | Must also take MATH 1151 (co-requisite lab). |
| MATH 1300 (Calculus 1) | Requires Precalculus or a placement score. AP Calc score of 4+ gives you credit! |
Choose TWO courses in the same sequence (some labs are optional—check your degree audit for all natural science sequence options).
| Subject | Sequence Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | EBIO 1210 (General Biology 1) + EBIO 1220 (General Biology 2) | Strongly recommended! Lots of overlap with psychology topics. |
| MCDB 1150 (Cellular & Molecular Biology) + MCDB 2150 (Principles of Genetics) | ||
| MCDB 1150 (Cellular & Molecular Biology) + EBIO 1220 (General Biology 2) | ||
| Chemistry | CHEM 1011 (Environmental Chemistry 1) + CHEM 1031 (Environmental Chemistry 2) | |
| CHEM 1113/1114 (General Chemistry 1 + Lab) + CHEM 1133 (General Chemistry 2) | Lab for Chem 2 is optional unless you’re pre-health. | |
| Physics | - PHYS 2010 (General Physics 1, Algebra-based) + PHYS 2020 (General Physics 2, Algebra-based) | |
| - PHYS 1110 (General Physics 1, Calculus-based) + PHYS 1120 (General Physics 2, Calculus-based) | Requires Calculus 2! |
⚡ Reminder: Some courses have prerequisites—double-check before enrolling!
💡 Planning for grad school, med school, or a health career?
Talk to your advisor to choose the best sequence for your future goals!
To complete the NRSC major, you’ll need to take:
📌 1 Biology Lecture + Matching Lab
📌 General Chemistry I (with Lab)
📌 General Chemistry II (with Lab)
| Lecture Options | Lab Options |
|---|---|
| EBIO 1210 (General Biology 1) | EBIO 1230 (Lab for General Biology 1) |
| MCDB 1150 (Cellular & Molecular Bio) | MCDB 1161 (From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Laboratory I) |
| MCDB 1171 (Antibiotics Discovery Through Hands-on Screens) | |
| MCDB 1181 (Biological Probiotic/Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens) |
Requirement Course Options Notes General Chemistry I - CHEM 1113 (General Chemistry 1) + CHEM 1114 (Lab for Chem 1) General Chemistry II - CHEM 1133 (General Chemistry 2) + CHEM 1134 (Lab for Chem 2) Must complete CHEM 1113 & 1114 with a C- or better to enroll in CHEM 1133 & 1134.
💡 Biochemistry or Chemistry double majors:
You can use the for-majors CHEM courses instead! Be sure to check with your NRSC advisor to confirm everything fits your degree plan.