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2024-2025 Catalogue

Neuroscience, Neurobiology - Biology Track, B.A.

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FACULTY:
Grit Herzmann, Chair
Seth Kelly
Sharon Lynn
Amy Jo Stavenezer
Alfredo Zuniga

Neuroscience is an exceptionally diverse and interdisciplinary field that incorporates aspects of biology, psychology, chemistry, philosophy, computer science, and other disciplines in the study of the nervous system. Neuroscientists seek to understand the function of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system at multiple levels, from the complex processes that occur in single neurons to the expansive cellular networks that ultimately give rise to all aspects of behavior like perception, emotion, problem solving, and social interactions. Though the field of neuroscience research is broad, each individual scientist is an expert in one, or just a few, sub-disciplines and methodologies, asking pointed questions that inform the larger picture. Our Neuroscience Program, therefore, consists of two separate tracks with a common core curriculum consisting of seven required foundational courses. Majors will understand the broad reaching questions and interdisciplinarity in the pursuit of knowledge related to the nervous system but will focus their methodological pursuits in one particular scientific discipline. Students will then choose from a variety of upper-level electives and enroll in Junior and Senior IS within the department associated with their track, Biology or Psychology.

The goals of the Neuroscience Program are to provide students with the essential foundational knowledge, skills, confidence, and research experiences that will allow them to identify and meet their intellectual and professional goals. Core areas of understanding will include, but are not limited to, neuroanatomy, neuronal physiology, the neural basis of cognitive functions, the influence of development, genetics, and the environment on the central nervous system, the behavioral and physiological effects of pharmacological agents, the impact of stress, disease, and aging on brain and behavior, and the underlying cellular processes of learning, memory, and retrieval of information. In each track, students will master methodology and experimental techniques relevant to the areas of Neuroscience they find most engaging. Students will apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills on both their specific research projects and the larger challenges facing the field of Neuroscience. The major in Neuroscience will produce liberally educated scientists who are well-versed in scientific methodology and its application, who possess a thorough knowledge of fundamental neuroscientific concepts, and who are able to express themselves with clarity, both orally and in writing.

Major in Neuroscience Neurobiology - Biology Track

Consists of sixteen courses:

Neuroscience Courses & Cross-Listed Courses Accepted for Neurobiology Neuroscience Credit

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

BCMB 30300. Techniques in Biochemistry & MolecularBiology [W]

BCMB 33100.  Principles of Biochemistry [MNS]

Biology

BIOL 11100.   Foundations of Biology [MNS]

BIOL 20100.   Gateway to Molecular & Cellular Biology [MNS, Q]

BIOL 20100L. Gateway to Molecular & Cellular Biol Lab

BIOL 20200.   Gateway to Eco, Evo & Organ Biology [MNS, Q]

BIOL 20200L. Gateway to Eco, Evo & Organ Biol Lab

BIOL 20300.   Research Skills in Biology

BIOL 30400.   Human Physiology

BIOL 30400L. Human Physiology Lab

BIOL 30500.   Cell Physiology

BIOL 30500L. Cell Physiology Lab

BIOL 30600.   Genes & Genomes

BIOL 30600L. Genes & Genomes Lab

BIOL 30700.   Developmental Biology

BIOL 31100.   Natural History of Vertebrates

BIOL 31100L. Natural History of Vertebrates Lab 

BIOL 32300.   Natural History of Invertebrates

BIOL 32300L. Natural History of Invertebrates Lab

BIOL 33500.   Microbiology

BIOL 33500L. Microbiology Lab

BIOL 34000.   Field Botany & Systematics

BIOL 34000L. Field Botany & Systematics Lab

BIOL 34400.   Comparative Animal Physiology

BIOL 34400L. Comparative Animal Physiology Lab

BIOL 35000.   Population & Community Ecology

BIOL 35000L. Population & Community Ecology Lab

BIOL 35200.   Animal Behavior

BIOL 35200L. Animal Behavior Lab

BIOL 35600.   Conservation Biology

BIOL 35600L. Conservation Biology Lab

BIOL 36000.   Evolution

BIOL 36000L. Evolution Lab

BIOL 36600.   Immunology

BIOL 36600L. Immunology Lab

BIOL 37700.   Behavioral Endocrinology

BIOL 37700L. Behavioral Endocrinology Lab

BIOL 38000.   Cellular Neuroscience

BIOL 38000L. Cellular Neuroscience Lab

BIOL 40100.   Independent Study and Biostatistics

BIOL 45100.   Independent Study Thesis

BIOL 45200.   Independent Study Thesis

Chemistry

CHEM 11100.  General Chemistry I [MNS, Q]

CHEM 11200.  General Chemistry II [MNS, Q]

CHEM 11200L. General Chemistry Lab II

CHEM 21100.   Organic Chemistry I [MNS]

CHEM 21100L. Organic Chemistry I Lab

Psychology

PSYC 25000.   Intro to Statistics & Experimental Design [Q, QL]

PSYC 32300.   Behavioral Neuroscience [W]

PSYC 32300L. Behavioral Neuroscience Lab [W]

PSYC 32400.   Cognitive Neuroscience (neuroscience) [HSS, W]

PSYC 32400L. Cognitive Neuroscience Lab

 

 

Special Notes–Neurobiology-Biology Track

  • See Chemistry Department information on placement exams for CHEM 11100  /CHEM 11200 .
  • First year students are advised to complete all 100-level courses and at least one 200-level course by the end of the first year.
  • The core courses (not including NEUR 38500 ) and at least one elective specific to your track must be completed by the end of the Junior year.
  • The laboratory and classroom components are closely integrated in the upper-level Biology and Psychology courses and must therefore be taken concurrently. The course and laboratory grades will be identical and are based on performance in both components; the relative weights of the two components are stated in each course syllabus.
  • Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the major, except for PSYC 25000  that requires a C or better.

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