Requirements for the Major

Required Core Courses

General Biology (BIO 11, 12)
Introductory Psychology (PSY 1)
Any two from: 1) Introduction to Genetics (BIO 105); 2) Cell Biology (BIO 165); or 3) Mammalian Physiology (BIO 129)
Biological Basis of Behavior (PSY 123)
Neuropharmacology (PHAR 119)
One of: 1) Sensation and Perception (PSY 122); 2) Cognitive Psychology (PSY 125); or 3) Behavioral Endocrinology (PSY 195)

Required Supporting Courses

One of: 1) Research Methods and Statistics (PSY 15); 2)Biological Research Methods (BIO 99); or 3) Statistics I (STAT 71)
College Algebra (MATH 20) (Calculus preferred)
General Chemistry (CHEM 1/3, 2/4)
Organic Chemistry (CHEM 107/109, 108/110)
General Physics (PHY 11)

Senior Capstone Options

Students may choose from the following options to satisfy the University requirement of a senior capstone:

1) Research conducted for the Neuroscience with Distinction option (see below)
2) Research conducted under the direction of a faculty member in the context of an independent study, research seminar, or similar activity
3) Writing a theoretical paper or empirically-based research prospectus
4) Completing an internship at a clinical facility (e.g., working with brain-injured patients, helping with neuropsychological testing, etc)

In each case, the particular final product and the method of presentation will be agreed upon by the professor(s) and student, but will generally consist of a written report, journal, or oral presentation.

Distinction in Neuroscience

Students earning a major in Neuroscience may elect to apply to graduate with Distinction in Neuroscience. In order to receive this designation, the following criteria must be met: 1) a minimum overall and Neuroscience GPA of 3.5; 2) successful completion of an independent research project, and 3) successful oral defense of the project to the student’s three-person committee made up Neuroscience faculty from at least two departments. This committee should be constituted at the end of the junior year or at the beginning of the senior year and must approve the project plan.

Recognizing the range of interests in neuroscience and resource considerations, the research project may be either an empirical study or a literature review that provides a critical synthesis of current literature to support a specific hypothesis. Students will be required to present their work to the neuroscience faculty and students at the completion of the project. Completion of this project would satisfy the senior capstone requirement for the neuroscience major.

Requirements for the Minor

General Biology (BIO 11, 12)
Introductory Psychology (PSY 1)
Biological Basis of Behavior (PSY 123)
Neuropharmacology (PHAR 119)
One of: 1) Mammalian Physiology or Physiology (BIO 129 or 128), Introduction to Genetics (BIO 105), or Cell Biology (BIO 165)