Neuroscience Minor

Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Minor in Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the development, structure, and function of the brain and nervous system, its impact on behavior and cognition, and how these processes change throughout life in both healthy and diseased states. This field is largely interdisciplinary, with studies that range from understanding the genetic, molecular, and cellular events that govern how the brain and nervous system functions to uncovering the systems, computations, and connectivity of brain areas that underlie every facet of behavior and cognition. By minoring in neuroscience, students will have the opportunity to take neuroscience-related courses in different disciplines across different departments in order to gain current knowledge, skills, and experiences that will help prepare them for graduate study and/or careers in, or related to, this important and leading edge field. Important: After declaring a minor in neuroscience, students must select a neuroscience faculty adviser with whom they will review their course selections.

Complete all of the following Required Courses (9 or 11 credits):

Non-Biology/Biochemistry Majors (9 credits):

PSY 341 - Brain, Mind, and Behavior Credits: 3
BIO 116 - The Brain in Health and Disease Credits: 3
PHL 363 - Philosophy of Psychology and Neuroscience Credits: 3

Biology/Biochemistry Majors (11 credits):

PSY 341 - Brain, Mind, and Behavior Credits: 3
BIO 406 - Neurobiology Credits: 5
PHL 363 - Philosophy of Psychology and Neuroscience Credits: 3

Choose three Elective Courses (9-14 credits):

PSY 338 - History and Systems: Psychology of Learning Credits: 3 *
PSY 441 - Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 445 - Hormones and Behavior Credits: 3 *
PSY 3220 - Psychology of Drug Habituation and Addiction Credits: 4 *
BIO 113 - The Biology of Poison, Murder, and Mayhem Credits: 3
BIO 115 - DNA and Biotechnology Credits: 3
BIO 211 - Genetics Credits: 5 *
BIO 238 - Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 Credits: 4 *
BIO 239 - Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 Credits: 4 *
BIO 399 - Cell Biology Credits: 3 *
BIO 402 - Histology Credits: 4 *
BIO 403 - Principles of Toxicology Credits: 3 *
BIO 406 - Neurobiology Credits: 5 ^ *
BIO 410 - Introduction to Pharmacology Credits: 3 *
BIO 480 - Molecular Biology Credits: 3 *
PHL 321 - Philosophy of Mind Credits: 3
OR
PHL 383 - Philosophy of Human Nature Credits: 3
CHM 140 - Chemistry of Emotions Credits: 3
CS 461 - Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3 *
SCS 364 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism Credits: 3 *
Students may select one of the following with approval of Neuroscience faculty adviser:
PSY 491 - Experimental Psychology 2 Credits: 3 *
PSY 496 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3 *
BIO 445 - Internship in Biology Credits: 3 *
* Courses indicated with an asterisk have course pre-requisites or require department chair or instructor approval to enroll.

^ This course is an elective for non-Biology/Biochemistry majors only.

Note: At least two of the above courses must be at the 200-400 level. Only one course may be used to satisfy both the Neuroscience Minor and the student’s Major requirements. At least one course must be outside of the student’s Major discipline. For Biology and Biochemistry majors, 100-level BIO/CHM courses may not be used to fulfill the elective requirement for the minor. For students who have a strong interest in neuroscience, additional courses may be considered for elective credit after consulting with a neuroscience faculty adviser. The election of courses is made jointly by the student and a neuroscience faculty adviser.

Total Cedits required for Neuroscience Minor: 18-25

Neuroscience Faculty Advisers:

Sarah Wong-Goodrich, Ph.D. (Psychology); Teresa D’Aversa, Ph.D. (Biology); and Robyn R. Waller, Ph.D. (Philosophy)