The Program in Neuroscience consists of five courses including an introductory course, three electives, and a senior course. In addition, students are required to take two courses, Biology 101 and Psychology 101, as part of the program.
Neuroscience (Neuroscience 201) is the basic course and provides the background for other neuroscience courses. Ideally, this will be taken in the sophomore year. Either Biology 101 or Psychology 101 serves as the prerequisite. Electives are designed to provide in-depth coverage including laboratory experience in specific areas of neuroscience. At least one elective course is required from among those cross-listed in Biology (Group A) and at last one is required from among those cross-listed in Psychology (Group B). The third elective course may also come from Group A or Group B, or may be selected from other neuroscience-related courses upon approval of the program advisory committee. Topics in Neuroscience (Neuroscience 401) is designed to provide an integrative culminating experience. Students take this course in the senior year.
The Degree with Honors in Neuroscience
The degree with Honors in Neuroscience provides students with the opportunity to undertake an original research project under the supervision of one or more of the Neuroscience faculty. In addition to completing the requirements of the Neuroscience Program, candidates for an honors degree must enroll in Neuroscience 493-W31-494 and write a thesis based on an original research project. Presentation of a thesis, however, should not be interpreted as a guarantee of a degree with honors. Students interested in pursuing an honors project should contact the Neuroscience Advisory Committee in January or February of the junior year.
Required Courses
BIOL 101 The Cell
PSYC101 Introductory Psychology
(Both of these courses should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.)
NSCI 201/BIOL 212/PSYC 212 Neuroscience
NSCI 401 Topics in Neuroscience
Students can check with the Neuroscience Program Chair to see if other courses not listed here might count as electives.
Electives
Three elective courses are required. At least one elective must be from Group A and at least one elective must be from Group B. The third elective may come from Group A, B or C, or the student may wish to petition the advisory committee to substitute a related course.
Group A
BIOL311/NSCI 311 Neural Systems and Circuits
BIOL314/NSCI324 Neuroethology
BIOL331/NSCI331 Neural Development and Regeneration
BIOL412/NSCI 342 Neural and Hormonal Basis of Hunger
BIOL407 /NSCI347 Neurobiology of Emotion
BIOL437/NSCI337 Neural Flexibility: Plasticity, Modulation, and Evolution
BIOL441/NSCI341 Interoception: The Brain-Body Connection
Group B
PSYC313/NSCI 313 Opioids and the Opioid Crisis: The Neuroscience Behind an Epidemic
PSYC315/NSCI 315 Hormones and Behavior
PSYC/NSCI 319 Neuroethics
PSYC312/NSCI322 From Order to Disorder(s): The Role of Genes and the Environment in Psychopathology
Group C
The following courses will be accepted as electives, provided that the student also has one elective from Group A and one from Group B:
BIOL 204 Animal Behavior
CSCI 317 Computational Neuroscience
PSYC 335 Early Experience and the Developing Infant
BIOL 421 Thermoregulation: From Molecules to Organisms
Students may petition to count other courses, including those taken elsewhere, as Group C electives. To do so, send an email to the chair (ideally before enrolling in the course) and include the course syllabus.