Neuroscience Major - Pre-PT


Neuroscience provides excellent preparation for graduate training in physical therapy.  This page overviews how pre-DPT coursework can easily be incorporated within the Neuroscience Major.

The following is a list of courses provided by our own DPT program as guidelines for undergraduate preparation for application to this program, which is representative of programs nationally.  It is noteworthy that of the 10 categories listed, Neuroscience Major already requires 6 (indicated by *s below) and the remaining can be taken as Major, Cognate, or General Education electives.  Students, therefore, need not use any  "Free" General Education electives in this process, allowing for additional flexibility in course selection.

NOTE!!!  If students wish to also have the option of applying to medical schools, you MUST also, minimally, take Organic Chemistry.   A 3 credit course in  Biochemistry is also strongly recommended. Neuroscience Majors typically take both and then often take a second 3 credit course in Biochemistry to obtain a Biochemistry Minor.  Obtaining this minor does require some credits from the Free electives.

Courses (must be completed with a grade of C or better)
  1. *General Biology with labs: two courses, 8 credits minimum.
    (This is already required for Neuroscience Majors.)
  2. *General Chemistry with labs: two courses, 8 credits minimum
    (This is already required for Neuroscienc Majors.)
  3. General Physics with labs: two courses, 8 credits minimum
    (Cognate courses in neuroscience MUST come from Physics, Chemistry, Math, and Computer Science.  Almost all majors take 8 credits of Physics.)
  4. Mammalian/Human Physiology: one course, 3 credits minimum
    (Neuroscience Majors must take two elective biology courses as part of the major.  Physiology is a common elective.)  
  5. *Mathematics (at the level of Trigonometry or higher): one course, 3 credits minimum
    (The University of Scranton catalog states that Calculus as a prerequisite for the General Physics course listed above.  Calculus is required for Neuroscience Majors.)  
  6. *General Psychology: one course, 3 credits minimum
    (This is already required for Neuroscience Majors.)   
  7. Advanced Psychology (Childhood, Adolescence, Aging, or Abnormal Psychology): one course,
    3 credits minimum
    ( Two advanced electives in psychology are required for Neuroscience Majors.  Most Neuroscience Majors take Abnormal and many take Childhood and Adolescence.)  
  8. *Statistics: one course, 3 credits minimum
    (This is already required for Neuroscience Majors.)
  9. Medical or Biomedical Ethics: one course, 3 credits minimum
    (Not required, but this is commonly taken as the "free" elective in the Theology/Philosophy General Education area.)  
  10. *Computer Competency: one course, 3 credits minimum
    (This is already required for Neuroscience Majors. )  
A final note:  Advanced degrees in Physical Therapy include graduate courses related to neuroscience. Our graduates who have entered D.P.T. programs report that they are better prepared for courses in neuroanatomy and pharmacology than their peers from most other undergraduate majors.