Neuroscience

Part of the Behavioral Sciences Division


The Major in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major requiring coursework in psychology, biology, chemistry and related fields to prepare students for graduate study or careers with a neuroscience emphasis. Neuroscience is an emerging interdisciplinary study of the relationship between the nervous system and behavior and the underlying cellular processes. Careful choice of electives in consultation with the advisor can also prepare the student for professional programs in the Health Sciences, such as Medicine. The Major in Neuroscience consists of 63 credit hours and students must choose a Psychology Track or a Biochemistry Track. The Major in Neuroscience with a Psychology Track is not open to students majoring in Psychology.  The Major in Neuroscience with a Biochemistry Track is not open to students majoring in Biochemistry.

Learning Outcomes

Psychology Track:

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:

  1. Articulates relationship among brain, mind, and behavior
         Demonstrates understanding of nervous system anatomy and physiology, both at cellular and organismal levels
         Demonstrates understanding of biological basis of behaviors, such as states of consciousness, motivation, emotion, and effects of psychoactive drugs
         Demonstrates understanding of biological basis of pathological conditions of the nervous system
         Demonstrates understanding of interdependent nature of the sciences that comprise neuroscience
  2. Critically reviews, analyzes, and effectively communicates neuroscience research
  3. Demonstrates ability to solve problems using the scientific mode of inquiry
  4. Demonstrates understanding of ethical and societal implications or challenges in neuroscience research
  5. Demonstrates knowledge of basic psychological terminology, concepts and theories
  6. Demonstrates understanding of social, developmental, and cognitive processes that influence or are influenced by physiological processes

Biochemistry Track:

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:

  1. Articulates relationship among brain, mind, and behavior
         Demonstrates understanding of nervous system anatomy and physiology, both at cellular and organismal levels
         Demonstrates understanding of biological basis of behaviors, such as states of consciousness, motivation, emotion, and effects of psychoactive drugs
         Demonstrates understanding of biological basis of pathological conditions of the nervous system
         Demonstrates understanding of interdependent nature of the sciences that comprise neuroscience
  2. Critically reviews, analyzes, and effectively communicates neuroscience research
  3. Demonstrates ability to solve problems using the scientific mode of inquiry
  4. Demonstrates understanding of ethical and societal implications or challenges in neuroscience research
  5. Demonstrates knowledge of basic biochemical terminology, concepts and theories
  6. Acquire and apply a set of basic laboratory data acquisition skills recognizing the theory, practice and limitations of modern biochemical methods and instrumentation

All students in the major are required to take the following courses:
    NSC 244: Introduction to Neuroscience (3 hrs.)
    NSC 402: Advanced Topics in Neuroscience (3 hrs.)
    PSY 101: Introductory Psychology (3 hrs.)
    PSY 312: Experimental Psychology (4 hrs.)
    PSY 327: Sensation & Perception (4 hrs.)
    BIO 113: Principles of Organismal Biology (4 hrs.)
    BIO 115: Principles of Cellular Biology (4 hrs.)
    CHM 121: Principles of Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
    CHM 122: Principles of Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    MTH 221: Inferential Statistics (3 hrs.)
    NSC 351-352: Senior Study (6 hrs.)

Students in the Psychology Track must take the following courses:
    PSY 299: Contemporary and Professional Issues in Psychology (2 hrs.)
    PSY 222: Adult Development & Aging (3 hrs.)  
    PSY 314: Cognitive Psychology (4 hrs.)
    PSY 306: Language Development (3 hrs.)
    PSY 331: Abnormal Psychology (3 hrs.)
    MTH 222: Regression (3 hrs.)
    One of the following:
       PHL 205: Early Modern Philosophy from 16th to the 18th Century (3 hrs.)
       PHL 206: Enlightenment & Late Modern Philosophy 18th-20th Century (3 hrs.)
       PHL 207: Contemporary Philosophy (3 hrs.)
       PHL 211: American Philosophy (3 hrs.)

Students in the Biochemistry Track must take the following courses:
       BIO 299: Biology Research Methods (1 hr.)
       BIO 221: Genetics (4 hrs.)
       CHM 223: Organic Chemistry (4 hrs.)
       CHM 224: Organic Chemistry (4 hrs.)
       CHM 316: Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 hrs.)
       BIO/CHM 416: Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 hrs.)

Core Curriculum Requirements

Each student must satisfy the core requirements and requirements for individual programs of study.

    « Back