Requirements for a Major in Neuroscience Leading to the B.S. Degree
The foundation of the major is based on introductory coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience and Psychology. In consultation with their academic advisors and guided by their individual interests, majors then select from a broad range of courses in these departments, as well as in Philosophy, to design a program of studies that adds both breadth and depth to their understanding of the discipline. In the senior year, all majors participate in a Neuroscience Senior Seminar.
A total of fifty-three to fifty-six (53-56) credits are required as follows:
| Core requirements (all): | |||
| Chem | 120-120L | Foundations of Chemistry | |
| Bio | 130-131L | Biology I | |
| Bio | 140-141L | Biology II | |
| Psyc | 150 | Foundational Issues In Psychology | |
| Psyc | 211 | Statistical Methods | |
| Neur | 270 | Neuroscience | (prerequisite: Bio 130 and 140, or Psyc 150) |
| Neur | 350 | Neuroscience Research Methods | (prerequisite: Neur 270) |
| Neur | 485/486 | Senior Seminar | |
| Depth requirements (Bio 375 and either Neur 318 or Psyc 345 required): | |||
| Bio | 375 | Neuroendocrinology | (prerequisite: Bio 130 and 140) |
| Neur | 318 | Neuroscience of Brain Disorders | (prerequisite: Neur 270) |
| Psyc | 345 | Cognitive Neuroscience | (prerequisite: Neur 270 or permission of instructor) |
| If a student chooses to take all three Depth courses, the third may be used to fulfill a Breadth requirement. | |||
| Breadth requirements (choose 3): | |||
| Bio | 204 | Mechanisms of Development | |
| Bio | 207 | Animal Behavior | |
| Bio | 304 | Genetics | |
| Bio | 307 | Cell Biology | |
| Bio | 325 | Molecular Biology | |
| Bio | 340 | Animal Physiology | |
| Chem | 414 | Biochemistry | |
| Chem | 416 | Mechanisms of Drug Action | |
| Psyc | 216 | Perception | |
| Psyc | 220 | Psychology of Health | |
| Psyc | 224 | Psychological Disorders | |
| Psyc | 306 | Language and Communication | |
| Psyc | 327 | Cognitive Processes | |
| Psyc | 353 | Psychophysiology Research Methods | |
| Neur | 451/452 | Independent Research | |
| Phil | 328 | Philosophy of Mind and Consciousness | |
| Courses recommended but not required | |||
| Chem | 211-212 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I and II (with laboratory) | |
| CS | 141 | Computer Science I: Programming Fundamentals | |
| Math | 115 | Applied Calculus | |
| Phy | 111-112 | Fundamentals of Physics I and II (with laboratory) | |
| Pol Sci | 216 | Introduction to the Philosophy of Law | |
MAJOR ESSAY
When declaring a major in neuroscience, students must submit an essay in which they articulate their educational goals. The essay should be four paragraphs, with one paragraph dedicated to each of the questions below (question 3 has two parts).
1. In your opinion, what are the defining characteristics of the discipline of Neuroscience?
2. How do the requirements for the Neuroscience major complement your program of liberal arts study and support your career or life goals?
3. As a Neuroscience major, how will you (a) build on your strengths and (b) address your weaknesses?
The entire essay should be between 250 and 1000 words and must accompany the Declaration of Major form when a student has the initial meeting with her/his major advisor. A student may choose to revise the essay after meeting with the advisor. Students will electronically submit the final, advisor approved, version of the essay as a Word document to their advisor for storage on the neuroscience fileserver. The file name for the essay should be as follows: student’s last name, student’s first name, and graduation year. Each student will revisit the major essay in the senior seminar course.