Neuroscience FAQs
Have questions? There’s plenty of answers!
We also have a small collection of videos on our YouTube channel (ECU NeuroScience) and they are embedded in some of the answers.
Entering the Program
Q1. How do I become a Neuroscience major or minor, what is an Intended major, and how do I declare the major?
Category
- Incoming Freshman: If you are an incoming Freshman and selected Neuroscience as your intended major, then you will first be advised through the HCAS Advising and Resource Center (ARC). Mr. John Trifilo will likely be your initial advisor. After you complete one semester at ECU, he will transfer you to Dr. Tran for regular major advising.
- Switching Major: If you want to switch from an existing major, then contact Dr. Tran and bypass the ARC.
- Transfer Student: Transfer students will normally be directed to Dr. Tran for advising from ARC upon admission to ECU.
- Minor: If you are looking to minor in Neuroscience, then contact Dr. Tran and bypass the ARC.
In all categories, an orientation meeting with Dr. Tran is required before moving forward. Use this Schedule a Neuroscience Meeting form to schedule a meeting with Dr. Tran. Do review the official catalog for either the major or minor. After the meeting, an update to your Degree Works will be carried out as needed and you will be added to the Neuroscience email list in order to receive all program announcements moving forward. You will not be on the Neuroscience Program list until an orientation with Dr. Tran has been completed. Being on the email list is vital for receiving the most current information and news about courses, restrictions, registration, and opportunities.
What is an Intended Major?
The minimum criteria needed for being fully declared are 1) completing 30 credit hours and 2) having an overall GPA of 2.3. Incoming freshmen or current students who have not yet me these criteria will have “Intended” shown in their Degree Works. Eventually, this designated will be removed if you satisfy these criteria and thus will be “declared”. It is important to have the Intended designation removed – if you don’t then you may not be able to graduate.
How do I declare the major?
In order to declare the major, the first step is to meet the minimum criteria for having the Intended designation removed. Dr. Tran will periodically review your Degree Works (typically during mid-semester advising) and if you meet the minimum criteria, he will have the major declared. Alternatively, you may request that he review your current standing and if criteria are met, then he will have you declared. Transfer students who have met the 30-credit hour criterion with their transfer hours, may be declared without the GPA requirement after meeting with Dr. Tran.
Exiting the Program
Q2. I would like to transfer out of Neuroscience but am still undecided. What do I do?
We’d hate for you to leave! You can go to the Advising Advising Collaborative website to locate the college for your new major and contact the personnel listed for each of these advising centers: https://advising.ecu.edu/advising-centers/. You should also request that the current Neuroscience Program advisor be removed as your advisor and have you assigned to someone else within your new major/minor.
Q3. I switched to a different major and a new advisor wasn’t assigned. What should I do?
In general, you are not automatically assigned a new advisor when you suddenly switch your major without Dr. Tran’s knowledge. Arrange a meeting with your new advisor or contact him/her. Have your new advisor update your records. For some departments, a undergraduate program coordinator/administrator is the person you initiate contact with.
Research and Thesis Courses
Q4. What are research courses?
a. Research courses (NEUR 2201, PSYC 4312, and PSYC 4315) offer you the possibility to gain valuable research experience with a faculty mentor approved by the Neuroscience Program. In exchange for your work on their research projects, you not only gain valuable experience, you earn a grade and course credit towards completion of major or minor requirements. You are required to have faculty mentor first before you can enroll in these courses.
b. Starting out, NEUR 2201 is applicable to all students. You can ignore PSYC 4312 and PSYC 4315 for now as they are reserved for overflow (i.e., you have exceeded 12 credit hours of NEUR 2201) or for alternative coursework (consult with Dr. Tran).
c. See this course roadmap and review each step carefully.
d. Here are the official catalog entries for research courses in the Neuroscience Program. As a major, you must complete a minimum of 6 credit hours in NEUR 2201. It is repeatable and you can continue taking this course up to a maximum of 12 credit hours (provided you still are mentored by a faculty member).
Q5. When should I seek out mentorship?
a. It recommended that you seek mentorship as soon as possible, even as a Freshman because not all faculty have availability in their labs, have the time to mentor you, or any other reasons. Therefore, you should not wait to find a mentor in your latter years. There is a timeline of research and thesis courses you must meet – in effect, it is a two-year timeline involving four (4) total courses. See the roadmap for this timeline. The course sequence is: 1) two semesters of NEUR 2201 (minimum) and 2) two semesters of NEUR 4950/4951 (Senior Thesis I, Senior Thesis II), preferably with the same mentor you’ve had for NEUR 2201. If you wait until the start of your Junior year for example, and do not get accepted into a research lab by then, it will be difficult to be on this two-year time frame if you intend to graduate on time* (*it is assumed that you want to graduate within four semesters at the start of your Junior year).
Q6. How do I register for these research courses?
a. You must first have a faculty research mentor who has agreed to supervise your work. This is a requirement.
b. Inform Dr. Tran which faculty mentor has accepted you.
c. He will activate a DocuSign and you will receive an email to initiate a course proposal. Enter the correct course number, credit hours, and semester/year. Read the instructions, understand the workflow, and sign-off any any acknowledgements before proceeding. The only course that offers variable credit hours is NEUR 2201 – choose 2 or 3 based on how you can fit those hours into your schedule. In the end, majors need to fulfill a minimum of 6 hours while minors need to fulfill a minimum of 2-3 hours.
d. After the all steps in the DocuSign workflow have completed, Dr. Tran will lift the course restrictions for you to proceed with self-registration. This entire workflow must be completed before the schedule adjustment period (drop/add) ends for the semester in question. Refer to the ECU Academic Calendar for what those dates are based on the semester in question.
e. DocuSign is required every semester for each course; Dr. Tran will remind you (if you’re on the Neuroscience Email list) to have it initiated before the start of each new semester.
Q7. What are senior thesis courses and how do I register for them?
Neuroscience Thesis courses (NEUR 4950 and NEUR 4951) are a natural follow-up to the research courses such as NEUR 2201. When starting out in a research lab, NEUR 2201 is there to get you started. As you progress into your senior year, NEUR 4950/4951 allow you to translate your earlier training into a thesis “deliverable”. A thesis project can be a paper, conference presentation, or other qualified deliverable (e.g., manuscript, grant), that is an extension of the research you normally carry out with your mentor. Unlike most term projects, papers, and lab reports written in undergraduate courses, a senior thesis addresses questions or issues for which no known or generally accepted answers exist. It allows you to explore your aptitude for research within a more extended and individualized framework than that generally afforded by face-to-face courses. It deepens your participation in the University’s community of scholars through your close contact with your thesis mentor, other interested faculty, graduate and postdoctoral students, and fellow undergraduate researchers. As the most widely recognized and respected hallmark of undergraduate distinction, a senior thesis demonstrates to graduate schools, fellowship committees, and employers your intellectual achievement and sophistication as well as your initiative and self-discipline. A senior thesis provides you with the opportunity to draw upon everything you have learned in your college experience and make a significant contribution of your own.
Your thesis mentor is typically the same research mentor. They ultimately decide the requirements for the thesis project. Therefore, you will work with your mentor directly in starting and completing the project.
Requirements:
1) Faculty research mentor (typically the same you had for NEUR 2201)
2) Completed a minimum of two Neuroscience research courses
3) Senior standing
Registration: The same workflow involving DocuSign in FAQ #6 will be used for each course every semester.
Q8. Plan B: I cannot get into a research lab to complete NEUR 2201 and/or have a mentor for a senior thesis project. Time is running out for graduation…what can I do?
While this is not the most ideal situation for Neuroscience students, course substitutions (up to four courses to cover any deficits) are possible. See FAQ #31, as this process may be carried out for you. Schedule a meeting with Dr. Tran to receive proper guidance before carrying out substitution actions described in FAQ #31.
Q9. Can I conduct research or complete a thesis with faculty who are not on the mentors list?
Possibly. Each case is unique and will need to be thoroughly reviewed. Consult with Dr. Tran beforehand to confirm whether it is feasible. As faculty within ECU either terminate, retire, or new hires are made during any semester, the listing is not always current.
Advising Meetings and PINS
Advising meetings can occur during peak and non-peak periods during a semester. The peak period coincides with Advising Week towards course registration based on the ECU Academic Calendar for the semester in question, normally mid-October and mid-March. Neuroscience has a peak period that runs from mid-October to mid-November (in effect Advising Month) and requires special scheduling requirements to accommodate the high volume of advising experienced during these times.
Q10. How do I arrange an advising meeting during the peak advising periods (October and March)?
Students will receive an email announcement for reserving an advising meeting one or two weeks prior to these actual dates. The prevailing platform/technology at the time will be used to schedule the meetings. The prevailing platform is currently Calendly. Further instructions are given in that email announcement. It is also during this time that announcements regarding course availability in the Neuroscience curriculum and procedural matters will be provided (i.e., how to register for research/thesis courses, etc.). The Neuroscience Program experiences heavy advising load during these times, therefore Advising/ Registration is actually a 1-month period that is based on Dr. Tran’s availability. Advising meetings are also highly recommended for Neuroscience minors.
For all other matters not related to advising during this period, use the Schedule a Meeting form to schedule a meeting with Dr. Tran.
Q11. How do I receive my registration PIN?
Freshmen and Sophomores will receive their PINS after they have met with Dr. Tran during Advising Month. Juniors and Seniors may request their PINS – a meeting is not required but recommended. The other exceptions are incoming Freshmen, who will receive their PINS through advisors from the HCAS Advising and Resource Center during Summer Orientation, and new Transfer Students.
Q12. Can I schedule an advising meeting during non-peak periods?
Absolutely. It should not be about course registration matters that are handled through meetings during Advising Month though. Use the Schedule a Meeting form.
Q13. What is Degree Works and how do I use it?
Log into Pirate Port to access Degree Works. It is a platform to help you see your academic progress, GPA, courses offered in your curriculum/curricula, and advisors. It is NOT your official transcript but can serve valuable completion-to-degree/curriculum guidance nonetheless. Do familiarize yourself with Degree Works as it will be used at all advising meetings involving course matters. The Registrar’s office also provides detailed information on what Degree Works is and how to use it.
Registration Matters
Q14. I can’t register for certain courses if they are outside of the NEUR and PSYC prefixes. What should I do?
Dr. Tran only handles courses with PSYC and NEUR prefixes within the Neuroscience Program. For courses outside of his purview, they are bound by rules set by individual departments, schools, or colleges. Under most circumstances, you can find the proper contact person by searching the department/school/college that offers the course. Then look for the staff/faculty listing for the “Coordinator”, “Director”, “Academic Advisor”, or any other person with a variation in job title involving the undergraduate program in question. For some of the most common forms or contacts, refer to the list below. The following information is current as of November, 2025:
- Biology: web form
- Chemistry: web form
- Computer Science: Janie Goddard (goddardj22@ecu.edu) / Academic Advisor
- English: Katie Walston (walstonka23@ecu.edu) / Undergraduate/Writing Foundations Administrator
- Math: Sandra Hodges (godleysa@ecu.edu) / Academics Student Services Coordinator
- Physics: Carla Davenport (davenportcar23@ecu.edu) / Administrative Support Associate for Undergraduate Studies
- Public Health (for BIOS 1500): Rhonda Onorato (onorator20@ecu.edu) / Student Services Coordinator
Q15. When do you register?
I really don’t know and won’t memorize when you register! You should refer to the Registration Schedule on the Registrar’s website. Know your Overall Credits under your name in Degree Works and match it to the schedule table.
Q16. What are some useful links with detailed information from the Registrar, Admissions, and Financial Aid?
Registrar
- Course Drop/Withdrawal Policy
- Incompletes and Grade Replacement Policy
- Transferring Credits Taken Elsewhere to ECU
- Course Equivalencies
- Waitlisting
Admissions
Financial Aid
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
- Academic Assessment Form (for advisor to initiate)
- Course Program of Study (CPOS) Frequently Asked Questions
Q17. How do I receive my registration PIN?
See FAQ #11
Q18. I received some kind of error code/restriction code and cannot register for a course...
Some departments/schools/colleges may allow course exceptions. If you’re a Neuroscience student (major/minor) or Neuroscience/Psychology double major, then contact Dr. Tran if the error(s) involves PSYC and NEUR-prefix courses. If the course is outside of these two prefixes, then read further and also see FAQ #14 to take action.
Some common restriction codes are:
1. Closed: Seating capacity has been reached; Dr. Tran cannot lift this restriction.
2. Pre-requisite or Test Score: Have you met the pre-requisite(s) for the course yet? Read the course catalog or the course in Degree Works if you’re not sure (“P” is the legend for pre-requisite). Also note that if you’re in the middle of taking a pre-requisite course, then the registration system will not recognize that you’ve met the pre-requisite (you really haven’t completed the course yet!).
3. Class: You are attempting to register for a course above your current enrollment classification. Students are allowed to register for courses one level above their classification. Example: A Freshman is trying to register for PSYC 3310 – you are restricted to 1000 or 2000-level courses and need special permission to take 3000 and 4000-level courses. Some courses are blocked for DE students (distance education students who are enrolled in an online degree program). You are not DE but are a traditional undergraduate. As such, these courses may be blocked until some time window has elapsed. Refer to any emails that I have sent you regarding “Blocked DE Courses” for the current semester to see the time window for traditional undergraduates to register for the course. DE sections are often in the 600, 700, and 800’s. Alternatively, contact the department offering the DE course about whether the restriction can be lifted; also see FAQ #14.
4. Consent of Instructor / Special Approval: If Dr. Tran isn’t the instructor, then he cannot lift this permission for you.
5. Field of Study: The course is restricted only to majors.
6. Student Attribute: The course is blocked for DE or PKH students or is an Honors section.
Q19. I would like to exceed maximum credit hours. What should I do?
- You may take up to 18 semester hours in Spring and Fall and up to 7 semester hours each summer term (14 hours maximum over the entire summer) without restrictions. To exceed the credit hour maximum, you must:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher OR
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher AND enrolled in your final semester of graduation
- Submit the Registrar’s Student Extra Hour Request form
All requests will be initially reviewed by Dr. Tran, with the final review and processing through the Office of the Registrar. You will receive an email notification of each review step.
Q20. I can’t get into ENGL 2201. What do I do?
Other than the restrictions noted in FAQ #18, if you get a Field of Study restriction, it’s because the Neuroscience major doesn’t go with that particular section. For example, if a section is labeled “Writing About the Disciplines-Writing About Arts and Humanities” then it’s only for majors that fall into the Arts and Humanities category. The sections labeled “Writing About the Disciplines-Writing About Multidisciplines” however, is for all majors. Contact the undergraduate program administrator listed in FAQ #14 to help you resolve the problem. Here are the categories that Neuroscience majors can register for:
-
- Arts and Humanities
- Health Sciences
- Multidisciplines
- Social Science
Q21. I missed the deadline to withdraw from term-length courses or withdraw from school without grades. What do I do?
The deadline for withdrawing from term-length courses or withdraw from school without grades can be found in the Academic Calendar for the semester of interest. If you missed this deadline, then you can request an appeal through the Student Academic Appellate Committee (SAAC) for a retroactive withdrawal. Go here: https://registrar.ecu.edu/saac/.
Q22. Which courses from another school are equivalent to courses at ECU?
Go to the Course Equivalency page and enter the state and school you are wanting to transfer credits from.
Senior Neuroscience Capstone Courses
Q23. What are senior capstone courses?
If you want a broad definition, then go here. For the Neuroscience Program at ECU, these are not research or thesis courses – see FAQs #4 and #7 for them. There are two Neuroscience capstone courses that majors and minors are required to complete in the senior year:
- NEUR 4900 or PSYC 4250* (*must be Dr. Tran’s section of Adv Topics Seminar: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory)
- Only offered in fall semester
- Whether you are a Neuroscience major, minor, or Neuroscience/Psychology double-major, you are required to complete Dr. Tran’s section of PSYC 4250. This is because Dr. Tran’s section is neuroscience-focused and the other sections are not. See the asterisk for PSYC 4250 in the Undergraduate Catalog.
- NEUR 4900 may not be offered as frequently as PSYC 4250, therefore consult with Dr. Tran ahead of time
- NEUR 4901
- Only offered in spring semester
Eligibility: Senior standing (minimum 90 credit hours) or rising senior (e.g., 89 credit hours currently but will have at least 90 credit hours in the ensuing semester in which the capstone is offered)
These courses are restricted to students in the Neuroscience Program. You must first meet the prerequisites for each capstone course. Some exceptions may be made at Dr. Tran’s discretion. Each course is offered once per academic year unless you are notified otherwise. Contact Dr. Tran to be registered and do provide your Banner ID.
Degree Types and Graduation
Q24. What is a dual degree and how can I complete it?
You may earn two separate baccalaureate degrees. To satisfy the requirements for dual baccalaureate degrees you must complete the requirements for one baccalaureate degree program and complete a minimum of an additional 30 semester hours through course enrollment at ECU for the other degree. See this comparison between dual degree and double major for more details. Normally, as you add a second major, such as Psychology, you are in effect a “double major”. Any progress you make beyond the second major requirements is recognized automatically as a path to the dual degree, provided that you complete the minimum requirements for dual degree ahead of graduation. If your progress towards a dual degree are halted for any reason ahead of graduation, then your status reverts back to a double major.
Q25. What is a double major and how can I complete it?
You may choose to earn one baccalaureate degree and add a second major. Only the total hours required for the primary degree program requirement need to be
completed, as no additional hours are required. For example: If you are a Neuroscience and Psychology double major, and Neuroscience is your primary major, then foreign language is not required to complete the Psychology secondary major. You will need to inform Dr. Tran about which major is primary and which is secondary and whether you would like the FL requirements to be waived. See this comparison between dual degree and double major for more details.
If you decide to double major in Neuroscience and Psychology, take note: In Neuroscience, two senior capstones are required (PSYC 4250 and NEUR 4901). In Psychology, only one senior capstone is required (you have the option of taking PSYC 4250 or others). However, to make PSYC 4250 count towards both majors, you will need to complete the section of PSYC 4250 title “Neurobiology of Learning and Memory” that is taught by Dr. Tran. This section is offered only in the fall semester of your senior year. Refer to PSYC 4250 in the Neuroscience BS catalog and see the asterisk.
Q26. How do I add Psychology as a second major and will I need a second major advisor?
If you need clarifications on adding Psychology as a second major, then request a meeting with Dr. Tran. If a meeting isn’t required, then email Dr. Tran to request adding Psychology as a second major. In terms of a major advisor for Psychology, you have two options:
1. Retain Dr. Tran as your Psychology major advisor as well.
2. Not retain Dr. Tran as your Psychology advisor. Go to the Psychology website and contact the current Undergraduate Program Coordinator. You may also contact the Psychology Advising Center to request as separate major advisor for Psychology.
Q27. Can I complete Neuroscience BS as a second degree?
Absolutely. Admissions information can be found on the Admissions website: https://admissions.ecu.edu/apply/second-degree.
The maximum number of credit hours that may apply towards a second degree is 30. Sequence of steps:
1. Fill out the Request for Re-evaluation of Transfer Credit form provided by the Registrar.
2. Send this form to Dr. Tran. He will review the courses that may apply. If a syllabus is needed to assist with his review, then he’ll follow-up with you about providing it.
3. He will submit a petition to the Registrar listing all of the courses here at ECU that may be waived.
4. After the Registrar’s Office approves the petition, he will forward you the email confirmation.
Graduation Matters
Q28. When should I apply for graduation?
- You must have completed at least 75 SH in order to apply for graduation. You should apply at least one semester ahead of your anticipated graduation semester.
- Apply for graduation through Pirate Port. Refer to Registrar’s website on how to apply.
- Review your Degree Works!
- Before you can apply online you must make sure that your degree information (minors or concentrations) is correct and that you are fully declared (i.e., “Intended” tag has been removed). Contact Dr. Tran if your degree information is not correct.
- Arrange a meeting or contact Dr. Tran about reviewing your Degree Works. If any course substitutions or corrections need to be made, then he’ll process your request. However, you will need to take the initiative to contact him and not wait on this matter.
- The deadline to apply for graduation is posted in the Academic Calendar for the semester in question.
Q29. Other than University Commencement, are Neuroscience graduates recognized at another ceremony?
YES! In appreciation of you, there is a separate Graduate Recognition Ceremony that is offered through the Department of Psychology. Both the Neuroscience BS and Psychology BA graduates will have an opportunity to RSVP that ceremony for themselves and guests. The ceremony is typically organized by faculty within the Psychology Department or other departments (if inter-department ceremony). Dr. Tran will reach out to graduating seniors about the link to RSVP and ceremony details when they become available early in each semester.
Q30. I’m not going to complete my degree until summer, but can I walk in the spring or fall Graduate Recognition Ceremony if I think I plan to graduate in the summer?
Yes, you can. You can also option to return and participate in the fall Graduate Recognition Ceremony as well. Reach out to Dr. Tran for RSVP information in early fall.
Course Substitutions for Neuroscience
31. If a core course isn’t offered any time soon, what suitable course substitutes can be used?
There may be some core courses in the Neuroscience BS curriculum or Neuroscience Studies minor are not offered consistently. A few examples include PSYC 3311 and PSYC 3312. These may also include the two Senior Thesis Courses (NEUR 4950 and NEUR 4951), if you do not have a faculty research mentor. You may opt to substitute these courses by first communicating your intentions to Dr. Tran. You cannot substitute a senior Neuroscience Capstone course (PSYC 4250 or NEUR 4901), PSYC 4340, or PSYC 2210. After receiving guidance and/or approval from Dr. Tran, do the following:
1. Go into Degree Works to review the Approved Electives section for Neuroscience. Remember, you must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of courses in this section first or will complete 18 hours by finishing courses in progress during the current semester. Any courses listed in this section that you have not already completed (or plan to complete) towards the required 18 hours are eligible as substitutes. In other words, they must be IN ADDITION to the 18 hours in this section to adequately cover the hours needed for the core courses in question. Note that if you have already completed the required 18 hours, then Degree Works will no longer show other electives options. Instead, see the Neuroscience BS degree in the Undergraduate Catalog (https://registrar.ecu.edu/about-catalog/). Do a search for Neuroscience BS and scroll towards the bottom of the page to see all of the Approved Electives courses.
2. After you have identified the suitable course substitute, complete the Course Substitution Form found on the Neuroscience webpage (https://psychology.ecu.edu/neuroscience/course-substitution/). Follow the instructions and the examples provided. Dr. Tran will review your request and take action as needed.
Email Etiquette
32. What is proper email etiquette for corresponding with professors, staff, and other adults outside your circle of friends?
- Recommendation 1: Start your email with “Dr./Professor/Mr./Ms. __________,” and end it with “Sincerely”, “Regards”, or “Thanks/Thank you” and your name.
- Recommendation 2: Avoid texting/urban dictionary language, spell-check questionable words, and apply proper grammar before you submit your email.
- Recommendation 3: Avoid CAPITALIZING ENTIRE WORDS (unless necessary) as this exudes a negative emotional tone.
- Recommendation 4: Be careful of what you say. If it doesn’t need to be expressed, then it’s best not expressed.