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Home » Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Updated on: January 1, 2023

Director: Renee Countryman

The neuroscience program includes courses from biology, psychology, chemistry, and philosophy to build a foundation for understanding the study of the brain and nervous system from molecules to behavior and thought. Students are involved in laboratory experiences that encourage hypothesis-driven problem solving and exposure to experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis, and communication of science to varied audiences. Students are encouraged to work with the Neuroscience Program Director to select appropriate courses for their career goals.

Degree Plans Offered in Neuroscience

Major in Neuroscience

Minor in Neuroscience

A major in neuroscience consists of:

Required Introductory Courses (4 courses — Students must earn a C- or higher to continue in major)

             BIOL 116 Cell Biology
             PSY 101 General Psychology
            PSY 201 Research Methods in Psychology (or equivalent course)
             PSY 215 Behavioral Neuroscience

Depth in Neuroscience Course (select 1 course)

             BIOL 349 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
             PSY 315 Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience

Philosophy Requirement (select 1 course)

             PHIL 205 Ethics
             PHIL 209 Ethics and Medicine
             PHIL 306 Knowledge and Reality
             PHIL 310 Mind and Language

Electives (select 3 courses)

             BIOL 228 Genetics*
             BIOL 234 Anatomy and Physiology*
             BIOL 248 Cellular Physiology*
             BIOL 326 Animal Behavior*
             BIOL 340 Immunology*
             BIOL 344 Molecular Biology of Gene Expression*
             BIOL 351 Extreme Physiology*
             BIOL 352 Systemic Physiology*
             CHEM 351 Introduction to Biochemistry*
             CHEM 352 Biochemical Metabolism*
             PSY 314 Psychopharmacology
             PSY 416 Neuroscience of Learning and Memory
             PSY 451 Clinical Neuroscience
             DSA 111 Introduction to Scripting and Data Analytics with Python
             NSCI 250, 350, or 450 Intermediate or Advanced Topics in Neuroscience
             Verify two of the electives must be a 300-level or higher course
             Verify one course must include a lab (* indicates a lab course)
             Verify no more than two courses are in the same discipline

Supporting Requirements for the Major

             BIOL 115 Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology
             CHEM 111 General Chemistry I
             PSY 120 Statistics for Psychologists (or MATH 120, PUBH 120, or SSCI 120)

Other Considerations When Planning for the Major:

  • One full credit of NSCI research or approved research from another department (294, 394, 491, or 494) may count toward the overall credit requirements for the major.
  • All courses applied to major must be taken for a letter grade, except for courses offered S/D/U only or directed and independent studies taken S/D/U at the instructor’s discretion.
  • Students should be mindful of the necessary prerequisites associated with courses as they develop their course plans.
  • Students who either are (a) pairing psychology and neuroscience as majors and minors or (b) unsure of whether they will study psychology or neuroscience should be aware that the psychology major requires a C or above in PSY 201.

Total Credits Requirement = 9 course credits

A minor in neuroscience consists of:

Required Introductory Courses (3 courses — Students must earn a C- or higher to continue in minor)

             BIOL 116 Cell Biology**
             PSY 101 General Psychology*
             PSY 215 Behavioral Neuroscience

Philosophy Requirement (1 course)

             PHIL 205 Ethics
             PHIL 209 Ethics and Medicine
             PHIL 306 Knowledge and Reality
             PHIL 310 Mind and Language 

Electives (select 2 courses)

             BIOL 228 Genetics*
             BIOL 234 Anatomy and Physiology*
             BIOL 248 Cellular Physiology*
             BIOL 326 Animal Behavior*
             BIOL 340 Immunology*
             BIOL 344 Molecular Biology of Gene Expression*
             BIOL 349 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience*
             BIOL 351 Extreme Physiology*
             BIOL 352 Systemic Physiology*
             CHEM 351 Introduction to Biochemistry*
             CHEM 352 Biochemical Metabolism*
             PSY 314 Psychopharmacology
             PSY 315 Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience*
             PSY 416 Neuroscience of Learning and Memory
             PSY 451 Clinical Neuroscience
             DSA 111 Introduction to Scripting and Data Analytics with Python
             NSCI 250, 350, or 450 Intermediate or Advanced Topics in Neuroscience
             Verify one of the electives must be a 300-level or higher course
             Verify one course must include a lab (* indicates a lab course)
             Verify courses are from two different disciplines

Other Supporting Courses

             BIOL 115 Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology
             CHEM 111 General Chemistry I
             PSY 120 Statistics for Psychologists (or MATH 120, PUBH 120, or SSCI 120)

Other Considerations When Planning for the Minor:

  • All courses applied to major must be taken for a letter grade, except for courses offered S/D/U only or directed and independent studies taken S/D/U at the instructor’s discretion.
  • Students should be mindful of the necessary prerequisites associated with courses as they develop their course plans.
  • Students majoring in Biology or Psychology with a Neuroscience Minor must have at least 4 courses outside of their major discipline in the minor.
  • Students who either are (a) pairing psychology and neuroscience as majors and minors or (b) unsure of whether they will study psychology or neuroscience should be aware that the psychology major requires a C or above in PSY 201.

Total Credits Requirement = 6 course credits

COURSES

NSCI 250 Intermediate Topics in Neuroscience
A study of selected topics for beginning students based on faculty and student interests. Offered on an occasional basis. Course may be repeated when topic varies. 1 course credit.

NSCI 260 Intermediate Directed Study
Student investigation of topic of interest working in collaboration with a faculty member resulting in significant oral and written work. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Freshman January term or Sophomore standing. Special permission required. Offered in variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.

NSCI 294 Intermediate Student Research
Intended for less experienced students to develop and execute a research project, beyond the constraints of the normal classroom, suitable for public dissemination on or off campus under mentorship of a faculty member. Typically this work results in a formal presentation, written work, or creative works. Course credit varies from 0-1.00. PREQ: Instructor permission required.

NSCI 350/450 Advanced Topics in Global Science, Technology, and Society
An investigation of selected topics for more advanced students based on faculty and student interests. Offered on an occasional basis. Course may be repeated when topic varies. 1 course credit.

NSCI 360/460 Advanced Directed Study
Student investigation of topic of interest related to the major or minor working in collaboration with a faculty member resulting in significant oral and written work. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Junior or Senior standing. Special permission required. Offered for variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.

NSCI 394/494 Advanced Student Research
Intended for advanced students to develop and execute a research project suitable for public dissemination under mentorship of a faculty member. Students are expected to present the results of their research in a public forum. Typically this work results in a formal presentation, written work, or creative works. Offered for variable course credit from 0-1.00. PREQ: Instructor permission required.

NSCI 490 Independent Study
Student-driven independent work to produce a high quality body of work such as paper, report, art project, etc. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Junior or Senior standing. Special permission required. Offered in variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.

NSCI 491 Honors Thesis in Neuroscience
Extensive independent study in the major in a topic of special interest culminating in a bachelor’s thesis with oral examination by thesis committee resulting in a bachelor’s degree with Honors upon completion. See Departmental Honors Program for more information. Completed in last three semesters before graduation. Offered for variable course credit from 1.00-2.00.

NSCI 492 Independent Study Off-Campus/NSOC
Student-driven independent study in a topic related to the major completed at an off-campus site. See Off-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Junior or Senior standing. Special permission required. Offered in variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.

Filed Under: Courses

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