Neuroscience Neuroscience explores the structure and function of the nervous system and its roles in human and animal behavior, perception, development, and physiology. As an interdisciplinary field, neuroscience combines the theoretical foundations and methodologies of experimental psychology, biology, physiology, pharmacology, biophysics, and mathematics. A neuroscience major prepares the student for graduate programs in neuroscience itself and as a double major or minor enhances the competitive position of students for graduate programs in any of the contributing fields, as well as medical, veterinary, dental, and allied health professions. The learning goals for students majoring in neuroscience are: I. to demonstrate an understanding of the central theoretical framework of modern neuroscience; II. to recognize and explain common patterns in the development, structures, and diversity of animal nervous systems; III. to develop and demonstrate proficiency in some of the central methodologies and experimental techniques of modern neuroscience, including electrophysiology from cells, nerves and networks, biobehavioral recording, neurohistology, and neuropharmacology; IV. to interrelate and appreciate the unique contributions of the multiple scientific disciplines which contribute to the field of neuroscience and its current literature; and V. to apply knowledge about the nervous system to exploring and understanding related fields in biology and psychology, such as development, anatomy, physiology, behavior, cognition, and learning.
Major requirements: Neuroscience: The major program requires a minimum of 51 hours of course work, including the following: I. Introductory Context Courses (6 courses; 22 hours): BIO 110 Principles of Biology I (4) BIO 112 Principles of Biology II (4) CHM 101 General Chemistry I (4) CHM 102 General Chemistry II (4) MAT 140 Precalculus (3) PSY 101General Psychology (3) II. Intermediate Methodology Courses (any 2 courses; 6-7 hours): BIO 203 Research Methods in Biology (4) PSY 220 Statistical Methods (3) PSY 230 Reading, Writing, and Review (3) III. Neuroscience Core Courses (2 courses; 8 hours): BIO/NSC 325 Neurobiology (4) PSY/NSC 207 Physiological Psychology (4) IV. Neuroscience Content Electives in Biology (any 2 courses; 7-8 hours): BIO/NSC 315 Animal Behavior (4) BIO 340 Physiology (4) BIO/NSC 341Developmental Biology (4) *BIO 396/397 Special Topics in Biology (3,4) V. Neuroscience Content Electives in Psychology (any 2 courses; 6-8 hours): PSY 260 Drugs and Behavior (3) PSY/NSC 310 Cognitive Psychology (3) PSY/NSC 314 Learning and Memory (4) *PSY 396/397 Special Topics in Psychology (3,4) VI. Senior Capstone Course (either course; 2-3 hours): BIO 440 Senior Integrative Exercise in Biology (2) PSY 441 Senior Seminar: Research (3) *must be an approved Special Topics course directly relevant to neuroscience
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