Iona University Announces New Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience to Enhance Brain Exploration and Discovery
Iona’s new neuroscience major will focus on the development, structure, and function of the brain and nervous system.
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. & BRONXVILLE, N.Y. — Iona University today announced the addition of a new Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience, developed for students with an interest in learning about the brain and nervous system at multiple levels, including how it affects behaviors, thoughts and emotions.
A comprehensive learning experience offered through the University’s School of Arts & Science, Iona’s new neuroscience major is a blend of psychology, biology, philosophy, chemistry, computer science, speech communication studies and more. Taught by faculty who are also active scientists, students will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach that will allow them to complete personalized courses of study, tailoring their degree based on their interests and career goals.
“Neuroscience majors will explore all aspects of the brain, specifically examining how brain functions are the foundation for all behavior,” said Sarah Wong-Goodrich, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology. “At the end of their journey, every student will walk away with an understanding of how the brain and nervous system change throughout life, as well as the impact that factors such as disorders, injuries, diseases and medications have. We are thrilled to launch this critical area of study at Iona and look forward to the work students will do to make important contributions to this exciting field.”
Depending upon their interests and postgraduate career plans, neuroscience majors will have the option to specialize in how genes, proteins and other molecules underlie nervous system structure and function (cellular/molecular neuroscience), or study the neural mechanisms of cognition and behavior (cognitive/behavioral neuroscience). If a student is unsure of which path to take, faculty are available to discuss the nuances of each specialty so they can move forward confidently toward their goals.
In launching this new major, Iona students will be well equipped for pursuing research- or clinical-based doctoral or master's programs, careers in biomedical and behavioral sciences (including the biotech/pharmaceutical industry), careers in the health professions and much more.
Students within the major who are also interested in pursuing a health profession track such as pre-med, pre-dental, pre-occupational therapy and more, will have the opportunity to work closely with a dedicated health professions advisor who will help prepare them for their next academic chapter. For students majoring in another field who are interested in neuroscience, Iona offers a minor that can be completed in 18 – 25 credits.
Classes for neurosciences majors are scheduled to begin in the Fall 2023 semester.
Learn more about the program here
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.