Neuroscience Studies Major

Major Requirements

The neuroscience studies major consists of three primary components: 1) completion of 5 foundation courses, 2) completion of a 7 course core curriculum required for all neuroscience studies majors, and 3) a 5 or 6 course emphasis (described below) in mathematics, computer science, philosophy, or psychology, or a disciplinary or interdisciplinary minor or major approved by the neuroscience studies faculty for inclusion in place of an emphasis in the neuroscience studies major depending on the interests and future goals of the student*. The core curriculum for neuroscience studies draws from introductory, intermediate and advanced courses in biology, mathematics, computer science, philosophy, and psychology, as well as prerequisite courses. The senior capstone experience in neuroscience studies is satisfied by successful completion of an approved research experience (e.g., NEUR 300 ) and the Senior Seminar (2 semesters) in neuroscience studies. The student, in consultation with his/her advisor, chooses courses in his/her emphasis from approved coursework in one of the participating departments, or, alternately, chooses courses for inclusion in a separate minor or major in consultation with both faculty in the department housing the minor or major, and a neuroscience studies faculty member. Individual minors or majors will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and must be approved for inclusion in the neuroscience studies major in order to satisfy the emphasis requirement. (Not all minors or majors will meet this requirement.)

* Students interested in a more in-depth study of neurobiology and neurochemistry or who plan to pursue a career as a biomedical scientist should also consider the major in biology with an emphasis in neurobiology. (See Biology Major section of this catalog.)

Specific Requirements for the Neuroscience Studies Major

Five foundation courses are required of all majors: BIOL 260 and BIOL 265 ; CHEM 112 or CHEM 115 ; MATH 153 *; and COMP 120 , COMP 121 or COMP 123 **.
* Students completing the Psychology Emphasis satisfy this requirement by completion of PSYC 201 .
** Students select the course that will serve as the appropriate prerequisite for the computer science course selected from the list in 3 below.

Seven Neuroscience Studies Core Courses:

NEUR 180 : Brain, Mind, and Behavior (introductory course)
BIOL 255 : Cell Biology & Genetics Laboratory (completed in conjunction with either of the Biology foundation courses, BIOL 260 or BIOL 265 )
One of: COMP 365 : Scientific Computation; NEUR 484 : Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
NEUR 362 : Philosophy of Mind
NEUR 248 : Behavioral Neuroscience
NEUR 300 : Directed Research*
* The Directed Research experience should be defined in part by the discipline of emphasis for the neuroscience studies major and focus on a neuroscience-related topic. It should culminate in the creation of a research paper that is modeled after professional publications in the student’s area of emphasis.
Capstone Experience
A capstone experience of either the neuroscience studies senior seminar or, with approval of the student’s advisor and director of the neuroscience studies program, an advanced independent project.
NEUR 488 : Senior Seminar (taken twice)

Required Emphasis in a Participating Department or Approved Minor or Major

Completion of an emphasis in one of the participating departments (mathematics, computer science, philosophy, or psychology) or a disciplinary or interdisciplinary minor or major approved by the neuroscience studies faculty for inclusion in place of an emphasis in the neuroscience studies major is required of all neuroscience studies majors to provide depth. Typical course sequences for emphases are listed below. Students should select and advisor from within their chosen emphasis, minor or major and work closely with the advisor and a Neuroscience Studies faculty member in selecting appropriate courses for inclusion in this component of the neuroscience studies major. Not all minors or majors will meet this requirement.