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Undergraduate program

Neuroscience

Undergrad minor

A growth field in the sciences over the last four decades, neuroscience has its roots in philosophical questions about life, human nature and thought. While biology and psychology answer aspects of these questions, core philosophical questions — such as the natural relationship of the mind to the brain or of the self to the other — still remain and drive novel research. These questions are at the heart of neuroscience, which is the study of the nervous system — the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system — and its impact on behavior and cognitive function.

Featured courses

  • Introductory Neuroscience
    NEU 200 | 3 credits
    This course will introduce the student to the interdisciplinary study of neuroscience through an investigation of the contributions made by biology, philosophy, and psychology. In so doing, the student will come to see the unique methodological and theoretical approaches each discipline brings to the discussion, and why it is that these different perspectives matter. The course will address the relevant introductory concepts associated with these discussions and engage a number of pertinent topics including learning, memory, attention, and perception, and the interrelationship between these processes. Prerequisite: grades of "C" or better in BIO 105 and PSY 100. Offered Annually.
  • Neurophysiology
    BIO 465 | 3 credits
    An examination of the nervous system beginning at the cellular level and working up to neuronal systems. Topics covered include the ionic basis of membrane potentials, synaptic communication, organization of functional circuits of neurons, and systems within the brain and/or spinal cord which control learning and memory, vision and motor function. Exploration of these fundamental neurophysiology topics from the basis for understanding a variety of student-selected topics which will be covered later in the semester. Late-semester topics often include higher-order aspects of brain function or challenges to the nervous system, such as the repair of brain or spinal cord injury, degenerative disease states, dyslexia, or consciousness. BIO 467 is an optional laboratory course which can be taken concurrently. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: BIO 105, CHM 103, and either BIO 312 or NEU 200; junior standing. Offered Annually.
  • Capstone Seminar in Neuroscience
    NEU 490 | 1 credit
    A seminar-style course designed for students to review and discuss primary literature on current subjects of importance in neuroscience. Students are expected to participate and lead discussions of research literature, develop and write novel review articles, and actively participate in the assessment of the neuroscience interdisciplinary minor. This course should follow the completion of the other courses in the core curriculum of the neuroscience interdisciplinary minor. Prerequisite: NEU 200; PHL/PSY 333; BIO 415 or BIO 446; BIO 465. Pass/Fail grading. Offered Fall, Spring.

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