Neuroscience
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The Neuroscience minor provides students with an introduction to the foundations of neuroscience, a discipline which focuses on the study of the nervous system from a range of levels. Study of the nervous system is a relatively new discipline, and discoveries in this area have great promise to illuminate the roots of our mental experience, and to provide the tools to preserve and reverse the effects of injury and disease. While only one of several major organ systems in the body, the nervous system is very complicated and critical to our identity. Neuroscience is fundamentally interdisciplinary, and draws on techniques from diverse fields including biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and philosophy. The courses included in the Neuroscience minor focus on the fundamentals of the biology and function of the nervous system. The minor is open to any major, and should be of interest to students with professional interests in the biomedical or health sciences. The courses included in the minor focus on the organization and function of the nervous system, from the specializations of single neurons and glia to the function of large networks of neurons which support movement, memory, emotion, and more.
Student Learning Goals
Develop students’ foundational knowledge of neuroscience through interdisciplinary coursework.
Build critical thinking & analytical skills in students.
Strengthen students’ communication skills.
Provide students with a cohesive capstone experience in neuroscience.
Cultivate attitudes and habits of mind in students.
Requirements for the Minor
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory | 1 | |
| Principles of Neuroscience | ||
| Biology | 1 | |
| Cell Biology | ||
| 300 Level Elective | 0.5 | |
Any 300-level course in NSC | ||
| Capstone | 0 | |
| Senior Capstone | ||
| Electives | 2.5 | |
| Any additional credits in NSC, or from the following: | ||
| Organismal Physiology | ||
| Special Topics (when in Neuroscience) | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Topics Logic & Philosophy of Science | ||
| Cognitive Neuropsychology | ||
Additional Course Work
It is recommended that students interested in pursuing neuroscience at the graduate level also complete Organic Chemistry I (CHE 221). Additional coursework in physics and math may be considered. Students should consult with an advisor in Neuroscience on their particular paths.
Some special topics courses listed below may have individual offerings that will apply to distribution requirements. See the Curriculum Outline section of this Bulletin for more information.
NSC-204 Principles of Neuroscience
An introduction to the study of the nervous
system, with a focus on basic anatomy and
physiology. Students will learn about the basic
organization of the nervous system,
neurophysiology, sensory processing, movement,
development, and neuroplasticity through a
systems approach to brain function. Several
laboratory experiences will be built into the
course to reinforce the principles discussed in
class. This course counts toward distribution
credit in Natural Science and Mathematics. This
course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
NSC-210 Intermediate Special Topics
Since the content of this course varies from
semester to semester, it may be repeated for
credit upon the instructor's approval.Refer to the
Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's
webpage for topics and descriptions of current
offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
NSC-269 Topics in Metaphys and Epistemology
Seminar discussion of a topic or area in
metaphysics or the theory of knowledge. Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
NSC-287 Special Problems
Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
NSC-310 Special Topics
Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
NSC-332 Research in Sensation and Perception
In this course, students will conduct experiments
involving at least two sensory systems, obtaining
experience with psychophysical experimental
methods. Students will write complete APA-style
scientific papers for each experiment, including
a clearly stated hypothesis, a brief literature
review, a clear explanation of the methodology,
application of the proper statistical techniques,
an analysis of how the results supported or
failed to support the hypothesis, and an abstract
summarizing the experimental findings. This
course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: PSY-232
Credits: 0.5
Distribution: Behavioral Science
Equated Courses: PSY-332
NSC-333 Research in Behavioral Neuroscience
Students in this course will become involved with
research in an area of behavioral neuroscience.
The topic covered will reflect contemporary
research issues in the field and may differ in
different years. Major course components will be
discussion of primary literature in neuroscience
and collaboration with the professor in
conducting and writing up an experiment that is
directed toward possible publication. Recent
topics have focused on memory and drug addiction,
and how neural recordings are used to understand
how information is encoded by the brain. This
course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: PSY-233 or BIO-112
Credits: 0.5
NSC-400 Senior Capstone
Students will enroll in the fall semester of the
senior year and meet with the instructors
approximately once every two weeks for journal
article discussions focused on seminal
publications in neuroscience.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0