Congratulations, Graduating Ducks!
You’ve put in the work and earned the diploma. Now let’s celebrate! On June 15, join your fellow CAS Ducks for this year’s CAS commencement ceremony. Head over to the 2026 CAS Commencement website where you can find ceremony details for each CAS ceremony, logistics and any other answers to all your questions about the big day.
What you can do with a degree in Neuroscience
Upon completion of the neuroscience major, students will be well-prepared for careers in scientific research, medicine, and other health professions, as well as science-related government, nonprofit, and industry jobs. Neuroscience graduates can find employment in:
- Healthcare clinics and hospitals
- Government agencies that focus on neurological diseases
- Public health and global health organizations
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Biotechnology companies
- Management consulting firms specializing in healthcare companies
- Colleges and universities
- Research institutes and laboratories
- Scientific writing and publishing
SCIENTISTS TRAINED BY THE CENTER FOR TRANSLATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE IN ITS FIRST FIVE YEARS
Neuroscience Major Named Goldwater Scholar
Future physician and global health advocate Valerie Owusu-Hienno has received the nationally prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. Her research examines the use of vitamin B1 to reduce infant mortality and protect neuro-cognitive development in Cambodian children.
A Window to the Brain
What happens across the brain during movement and decision making? Postdoctoral neuroscientist Evan Vickers has developed a "cranial window" implant that allows researchers to look at thousands of neurons at once in hopes of answering that question.
Unlocking the Secrets of the Brain
“The first time I held a human brain in my hand was such a magical moment. I felt so thankful I got to be part of the cadaver lab, and that was the moment I knew that neuroscience was for me. Neuroscience is emerging out of its infancy, and there’s so little that we know about the brain, even though it’s such a central part of our lives.”
—Minh Anh Nguyen, neuroscience major, '21
Our Degree Programs
Neuroscience majors gain a strong foundation in the natural sciences while exploring three main areas of neuroscience: molecular/cellular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, and cognitive neuroscience. Undergraduate students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in neuroscience.
Learn from Experts in the Field
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major that brings together award-winning faculty from the departments of Biology, Human Physiology, and Psychology. Many of the program’s faculty are affiliated with the Institute of Neuroscience, a group of UO researchers who have pooled their expertise to tackle fundamental questions in neuroscience.
Get Real-world Experience
Beginning as early as their first year, neuroscience majors are encouraged to engage in hands-on research, working side-by-side with faculty in cutting-edge research labs across the university. Students can take their investigations in many different directions, from molecular, cellular, behavioral, anatomical, and computational to more explorative types of research.
Scholarships and Funding
Students can seek funding through the College of Arts and Sciences, which awards various scholarships to both incoming students and those who are already attending the UO.
Academic Support
Students are strongly encouraged to maintain contact with their academic advisors to discuss their course of study and plan for their careers. Neuroscience majors can seek advising through Tykeson Hall.
