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Neuroscience
Professor: Berger
Associate Professors: Drumm-Hewitt, Holstein
Assistant Professors: Andrew, Curtindale, Morrison (Coordinator)
- Major: Neuroscience
- Courses required for major: 11 (B.A.) and 14 (B.S.) (not including zero or 1 credit courses)
- Non-credit Colloquium: 1 semesters
- Capstone requirement: Deliver a talk in NEURO 449 on a research experience based on PSY 412, BIO 447, an independent study, honors project, clinical internship, or research experience (includes NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduate) of at least 10 weeks full-time.
- Minor: Neuroscience
The Neuroscience Program offers a Neuroscience major that applies to either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees as well as a minor in Neuroscience.
Major Requirements for the B.A. Degree
The neuroscience major is designed for students who are interested in theory and research on the mind, brain, and nervous system.
The core courses train students to access, read, and critically analyze primary neuroscience literature, develop hypotheses, design and carry out experiments, analyze data, present the results, and engage in discussion of ethical issues related to neuroscience research. The elective courses allow students to explore interdisciplinary developments in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology that enrich and extend our understanding of the brain and of human thought and behavior. The Capstone Research or Internship experience ensures that students can apply their neuroscience knowledge outside of a traditional classroom setting.
Required core courses:
BIO 111 Introduction to Biology II
NEURO 110 Unraveling the Mysteries of the Mind
NEURO 210 Introduction to Neuroscience I
NEURO 211 Introduction to Neuroscience II
PSYCH 110 Introductory Psychology
NEURO 449 Neuroscience Colloquium
One course from:
BIO 110 Introduction to Biology I
CHEM 122/123 General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I
One course from:
CPTR 125 Introduction to Computer Science
MATH123 Statistics
MATH 127 Precalculus
MATH 128 Calculus
MATH 214 Multivariable Statistics
Neuroscience Electives
Two courses from different prefixes from:
BIO 222 Genetics
BIO 322 Neurogenetics
BIO 435 Cell Biology
PSY 242 Drugs, Behavior, and Society
PSY 315 Clinical Neuroscience
PSY 325 Cognitive Neuroscience
Related Electives
One course from:
BIO 323 Human Physiology
BIO 342 Animal Behavior
BIO 347 Immunology
BIO 447 Cell and Molecular Biology Research Methods
BIOCH 444 Biochemistry I
CHEM 124/125 General Chemistry II
PSY 212 Research Methods and Analysis
PSY 215 Child and Adolescent Development
PSY 216 Abnormal Child Psychology
PSY 217 Lifespan Development
PSY 219 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 237 Cognitive Psychology
PSY 322 Sensation and Perception
PSY 342 Health Psychology
PSY 412 Advanced Psychology Research I—when not used for Capstone
SOC 210 Sociology of Mental Health and Illness
SOC 310 Medical Sociology
An Independent Study or Honors Project in Psychology or Sociology not used to fulfill the capstone requirement, with approval from the Program Coordinator and the Academic Standards Committee.
Cognate Electives
One course from:
PHIL 225 Symbolic Logic
PHIL 330 Knowledge and Reality
PHIL 333 Philosophy of Natural Science
PHIL 335 Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science
PHIL 340 Special Topics—when Neuroscience-related and approved by the program coordinator
Experimental or special topics courses may be considered for inclusion in the major, with approval from the program coordinator.
Capstone Requirement
Deliver a talk in NEURO 449 on a research experience based on PSY 412, BIO 447, an independent study, honors project, clinical internship, or research experience (includes NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduate) of at least 10 weeks full-time.
Major Requirements for the B.S. Degree
The neuroscience major is designed for students who are interested in theory and research on the mind, brain, and nervous system. The neuroscience major consists of 9 required courses, 5 elective courses, and a capstone experience.
NEURO 210 Introduction to Neuroscience I and NEURO 211 Introduction to Neuroscience II provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to the fundamental structure and function of the brain that includes laboratory experiences across the breadth of current neuroscience research. These core courses train students to access, read, and critically analyze primary neuroscience literature, develop hypotheses, design and carry out experiments, analyze data, present the results, and engage in discussion of ethical issues related to neuroscience research. The five elective courses allow students to explore interdisciplinary developments in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology that enrich and extend our understanding of the brain and of human thought and behavior. The Capstone Research or Internship experience ensures that students can apply their neuroscience knowledge outside of a traditional classroom setting.
Required core courses:
BIO 110 Introduction to Biology I
BIO 111 Introduction to Biology II
CHEM 122/123 General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I
NEURO 110 Unraveling the Mysteries of the Mind NEURO 210Introduction to Neuroscience I
NEURO 211 Introduction to Neuroscience II
PSYCH 110 Introductory Psychology
NEURO 449 Neuroscience Colloquium
One course from:
CPTR 125 Introduction to Computer Science
MATH123 Statistics
MATH 127 Precalculus
MATH 128 Calculus
MATH 214 Multivariable Statistics
Three courses from at least two prefixes from:
BIO 222 Genetics
BIO 322 Neurogenetics
BIO 435 Cell Biology
CHEM 124/125 General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II
PSY 242 Drugs, Behavior, and Society
PSY 315 Clinical Neuroscience
PSY 325 Cognitive Neuroscience
Related Electives
Two courses from the following:
BIO 323 Human Physiology
BIO 342 Animal Behavior
BIO 347 Immunology
BIO 447 Cell and Molecular Biology Research Methods
BIOCH 444 Biochemistry I
CHEM 222/223 Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 224/225 Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
PSY 212 Research Methods and Analysis
PSY 215 Child and Adolescent Development
PSY 216 Abnormal Child Psychology
PSY 217 Lifespan Development
PSY 219 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 237 Cognitive Psychology
PSY 322 Sensation and Perception
PSY 342 Health Psychology
PSY 412 Advanced Psychology Research I—when not used for capstone
SOC 210 Sociology of Mental Health and Illness
SOC 310 Sociology of Health, Illness, and Health Care
An Independent Study or Honors Project in Psychology or Sociology not used to fulfill the capstone requirement, with approval from the Program Coordinator and the Academic Standards Committee.
Electives
One course from:
PHIL 225 Symbolic Logic
PHIL 330 Knowledge and Reality
PHIL 333 Philosophy of Natural Science
PHIL 335 Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science
PHIL 340 Special Topics—when Neuroscience-related and approved by the Academic Standards Committee
Capstone Requirement
Deliver a talk in NEURO 449 on a research experience based on PSY 412, BIO 447, an independent study, honors project, clinical internship, or research experience (includes NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduate) of at least 10 weeks full-time.
Minor Requirements
The interdisciplinary minor in Neuroscience requires five courses, including NEURO 210, 211, and 3 electives from the list below.
Three electives, chosen from:
BIO 222 Genetics
BIO 322 Neurogenetics
BIO 323 Human Physiology
BIO 347 Immunology
BIO 342 Animal Behavior
BIO 435 Cell Biology
BIO 447 Cell and Molecular Biology Research Methods
BIO 490-491 Departmental Honors
BIO N80-89 Independent Study
BIOCH 444 Biochemistry I
CHEM 122/123 General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 124/125 General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 219 Organic and Biochemistry
CPTR 125 Introduction to Computer Science
NEURO 110 Unraveling the Mysteries of the Mind
NEURO 490-491 Departmental Honors
NEURO N80-89 Independent Study
PHIL 330 Knowledge and Reality
PHIL 333 Philosophy of Natural Science
PHIL 335 Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science
PHIL 340 Special Topics—when Neuroscience-related and approved by the Academic Standards
Committee
PSY 212 Research Methods and Analysis
PSY 237 Cognitive Psychology
PSY 242 Drugs, Behavior, and Society
PSY 315 Clinical Neuroscience
PSY 322 Sensation and Perception
PSY 325 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY 342 Health Psychology
PSY 412 Advanced Psychology Research I
PSY 490-491 Departmental Honors
PSY N80-89 Independent Study
SOC 210 Sociology of Mental Health and Illness
SOC 310 Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healthcare
Note: Independent Studies and Honors Thesis projects require advance consultation with the project advisor and the program coordinators, and advance approval of a formal application by the Individual Studies Committee. Research projects outside of Biology, Psychology, and Neuroscience may be considered for fulfillment of the minor requirements, with approval by the Academic Standards Committee.
Experimental or special topics courses may be considered for inclusion in the minor, with approval from the Academic Standards Committee.
110
UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF THE MIND
The human brain is one of our most complex and widely-studied organs. The field of neuroscience takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying the structure, function, development, and pathology of the brain. This course provides a broad overview of the field with a focus on brain anatomy and function, cognition, and behavior, helping students understand not only how the brain produces our conscious experiences, thoughts, and behaviors, but also how disease can lead to alterations in thinking and behavior. This course is not open to juniors or seniors, except with consent of instructor. Four hours of lecture per week.
206
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
An introduction to the biological bases of behavior. Topics include the anatomy, organization, and function of the nervous system; the biological basis of sensation, perception, and movement; and the neural basis of behavior and cognition. Credit may not be earned for both PSY/NEURO 206 and PSY 433 or NEURO 211. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or consent of instructor. Cross-listed as PSY 206.
210
INTRODUCTION TO NEUROSCIENCE I
An introduction to the study of neuroscience for students planning to major or minor in Neuroscience. Major topics include cellular, molecular, and developmental approaches to neuroscience. The laboratory component includes experimentation and exploration of current neuroscience literature. Four hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. BIO 110 or 111 or consent of instructor.
211
INTRODUCTION TO NEUROSCIENCE II
An introduction to the study of neuroscience for students planning to major or minor in Neuroscience. Major topics include behavioral and systems approaches to neuroscience. The laboratory component includes experimentation and exploration of current neuroscience literature. Four hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 110 or 111 or consent of instructor.
449
NEUROSCIENCE COLLOQUIUM
Allows students to present their capstone experiences and the relevant background literature to fellow Neuroscience students and faculty members. Required of majors in their junior or senior year. One hour per week. Pass/Fail. Non-credit course.
N80-N89
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Studies are experimentally oriented and may include either laboratory or clinical field work. May include fly neurogenetics, mouse developmental neuroscience, parasite neurotransmission, or rodent behavior studies.
490-491
INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR HONORS
Neuroscience studies that are more in-depth or technically demanding than a regular Independent Study project. May include fly neurogenetics, mouse developmental neuroscience, parasite neurotransmission, or rodent behavior studies.