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. Neuroscience is fundamentally interdisciplinary, and draws on techniques from diverse fields including biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and philosophy. The minor is open to any major, and should be of interest to students with professional interests in the biomedical or health sciences, as well as anyone with an interest in an organ system that is critical to our identity. The courses included in the Neuroscience 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 perception, 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 Neuroscience | 1 | |
| Principles of Neuroscience | ||
| Biology | 1 | |
| Human Biology | ||
or BIO-111 | General Biology I | |
| Intermediate Neuroscience | 1 | |
| One credit from the following: | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Cognitive Neuropsychology | ||
| 300 Level Elective | 0.5-1 | |
Any 300-level course in Neuroscience (either for 0.5 or 1 credit) | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Research in Sensation and Perception | ||
| Research in Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Electives | 1-1.5 | |
| Any additional credits in NSC, or | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| Total Credits | 5 | |
Additional Course Work
It is recommended that students interested in pursuing neuroscience at the graduate level also complete CHE-221 Organic Chemistry I. 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 is offered in the spring
semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Equated Courses: PSY-204
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. Topics vary
with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student
Planning's section information for descriptions of
individual offerings, and applicability to
distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
NSC-232 Sensation and Perception
This course explores our sensory systems: vision,
hearing, touch, taste, smell, and perhaps other
systems such as balance. We will study both the
anatomy underlying these systems as well as
perceptual phenomena. Mini-labs are interspersed
throughout the course to experience these
phenomena. We will also read and discuss primary
research articles related to the topics covered
in class. This course is offered in the fall
semester.
Prerequisites: NSC-204, PSY-204, BIO-101 or BIO-111
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science, Global Citizenship, Justice, and Diversity
Equated Courses: PSY-232
NSC-233 Behavioral Neuroscience
An introduction to the biological bases of
behavior. Examination of nervous system structure
and function is followed by an examination of the
neurophysiological foundations of motor ability,
sexual behavior, ingestive behavior, sleep and
arousal, learning and memory, reinforcement, and
language. This course is offered in the spring
semester.
Prerequisites: PSY-204, NSC-204, BIO-101, or BIO-111
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
Equated Courses: PSY-233
NSC-235 Cognitive Neuropsychology
This course examines deficits in human cognitive
function resulting from brain damage. It draws on
principles of neuroscience, psychology, and
neurology for insights into how the brain
mediates the ability to use and integrate
capacities such as perception, language, actions,
memory, and thought.
Prerequisites: PSY-101
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
Equated Courses: PSY-235
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
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to
Student Planning's section information for
descriptions of individual offerings, and
applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
NSC-310 Special Topics
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to
Student Planning's section information for
descriptions of individual offerings, and
applicability to distribution requirements.
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