Neuroscience

Departments: Biology, Chemistry & Physics, and Psychology

Neuroscience, the study of the structure, development, chemistry, pathology, and function of the nervous system, can trace its origins to prehistory. In the intervening millennia, the study of the nervous system continued, with the beginning of the 20th century marking the age of modern neuroscience. Since then, the rapid advancement in medical science has fueled an exponential growth of the field.

Though some neuroscience careers require advanced degrees, there are many possible, high-paying positions for those graduating with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. These opportunities can range from pharmaceutical sales to clinical research, and from work in nonprofit science advocacy to law enforcement. The different concentrations in this major allow students to tailor their course work to both their interests and to their career goals. Students wishing to continue their education in neuroscience with the pursuit of a graduate degree can choose from over 52 Masters and 58 Ph.D. programs here in the United States alone.

Neuroscience Major

Core Requirements

BIO/KIN 121 Medical Terminology & Documentation for Allied Health Professionals BIO 134 Principles of Biology BIO 140 Cell Biology BIO 225 Bioethics CHE 121 General Chemistry I CHE 123 General Chemistry I Lab CHE 122 General Chemistry II CHE 124 General Chemistry II Lab MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics PSY 117 General Psychology PSY 210 Introduction to Neuroscience PSY 322 Behavioral Neuroscience

Professional Development Requirements

PDP 200 Preparing for your Internship OR BIO 390 Professional Development Planning INT 425 Neuroscience Internship (at least two (2) credit hours)

Capstone Requirements

NEU 498 Senior Project in Neuroscience NEU 499 Senior Competency Practicum

Neuroscience Concentration Requirements

Select FOUR (4) courses from ONE (1) concentration below *Required course for the concentration

Biology Concentration

BIO 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology II BIO 350 Human Genetics

BIO 360 Animal Physiology BIO 373 Microbiology BIO 374 Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology BIO 382 Comparative Animal Behavior BIO 392 Techniques in Biotechnology and Biochemistry

Physical Sciences Concentration

CHE 221 Organic Chemistry I and CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I Lab CHE 222 Organic Chemistry II and CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II Lab CHE 227 Analytical Chemistry CHE 334 Biochemistry CHE 392 Techniques in Biotechnology and Biochemistry CHE 448 Instrumental Analysis PHY 355 Ultrasonography PHY 357 Radiation and Health PHY 365 Biomedical Optics

Psychology Concentration

PSY 240 Abnormal Psychology PSY 324 Psychology of Learning PSY 326 Psychopharmacology PSY 328 Cognitive Psychology

Neuroscience Electives

Select ONE (1) course from EACH area outside your concentration

Neuroscience Minor

Core Requirements

BIO 140 Cell Biology PSY 117 General Psychology PSY 322 Behavioral Neuroscience Independent study, research, or Internship related to Neuroscience (2 credit minimum)

One of the following options

Option 1: BIO 210 and BIO 215 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II Option 2: BIO 360 Animal Physiology

One of the following courses

PSY 324 Psychology of Learning PSY 326 Psychopharmacology

Complete course descriptions for each of these offerings may be found elsewhere in this catalog under the appropriate major headings.

Neuroscience Course Descriptions

NEU 490 Independent Study 1-2 credit hours Prereq: departmental consent Course designed to encourage student initiative and to provide a degree of flexibility in the departmental program. Normally the subject is not sufficiently or appropriately covered in departmental course offerings.

NEU 498 Senior Project in Neuroscience

1-2 credit hours

Fall and spring Students will demonstrate and showcase knowledge acquired through their study of neuroscience by conducting an original experiment or producing a comprehensive synthetic review of a topic in neuroscience. This course can be conducted by any Psychology or Natural Sciences faculty member willing and best suited for the project.

NEU 499 Senior Competency Practicum

0 credit hours

Spring, senior year An examination covering basic neuroscience principles and material from the core neuroscience curriculum. Grade of D- or better required.