Neuroscience Studies

Full Time Faculty: Janet Folina (Philosophy), Susan Fox (Mathematics/Computer Science), Brooke Lea (Psychology)

Part Time Faculty: Joy Laine (Philosophy)

Director: Darcy Burgund (Psychology, Fall), Eric Wiertelak (Psychology, Spring)

As a term, The Neurosciences refers to an expanding interdisciplinary collective of theory, methods, and technology from across science and other disciplines, applied to the examination the evolution, development, structure (both physical and organizational, as in artificial intelligence, computational and theoretical modeling), functions (including adaptive mechanisms, cognitive, systems, and philosophical approaches), pharmacology, clinical assessment, and pathology of nervous systems in order to further understand how thought and behavior develop, are organized, and maintained. The Neuroscience Studies major, therefore, provides a broad multidisciplinary introduction to the study of the brain, mind and behavior. The completion of this interdisciplinary foundation and selected focused coursework, through completion of an approved emphasis from one of the participating departments or alternately, a separate disciplinary or interdisciplinary minor or major, further approved by the neuroscience studies faculty for inclusion in place of an emphasis in the neuroscience studies major, enables the student to study the mind and nervous system from a variety of perspectives based on the student’s own interests in this field.

General Distribution Requirement

NEUR 180 , NEUR 244 , NEUR 246 , NEUR 248 , and NEUR 484  count toward the mathematics and natural science requirement. NEUR 313  counts toward the humanities requirement. NEUR 240  counts toward the social science distribution requirement.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements  section of this catalog.

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, and preceptorships. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum  section of the catalog.

Programs

• Neuroscience Studies Major