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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalogue

Neuroscience, 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 Nueroscience Program mimics this broad field by offering courses at all levels of analysis and in three programs, biology, chemistry, and psychology.  Initially students explore the breath and inderdisciplinarity of neuroscience and will then, through intentional advising, focus their methodological pursuits in a particular scientific discipline. Students will then choose from a variety of upper-level electives and enroll in Junior and Senior IS.

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. 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.

Core: Major in Neuroscience

Consists of fifteen courses:

Neuroscience Courses & Cross-Listed Courses Accepted for Neuroscience Credit

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

BCMB 33100.  Principles of Biochemistry [MNS] (Cognate Course)

Biology

BIOL 12000.  Introduction to Physiology and Organismal Biology [MNS]

BIOL 13000.  Foundations of Molecular and Cellular Biology [MNS]

BIOL 150xxL. Research Experience in Biology 

BIOL 25000.  Research Skills in Biology 

BIOL 22000.  Human Physiology 

BIOL 22100.  Comparative Animal Physiology 

BIOL 22200.  Cellular Neuroscience 

BIOL 23000.  Genes and Genomes

BIOL 32000.  Behavioral Endocrinology

BIOL 32100.  Sensory Biology

BIOL 32200.  Developmental Biology

BIOL 34400.  Cell Physiology 

BIOL 33700.  Computational Biology
 

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] (Cognate Course)

CHEM 21100L. Organic Chemistry I Lab

Computer Science 

CSCI 10000. Scientific Computing [MNS, QL] (Cognate Course)

CSCI 11000. Imperative Problem Solving [MNS] (Cognate Course)

CSCI 12000. Data Structures and Algorithms [MNS]

Communication Sciences and Disorders

COMD 14100.  Introduction to Communication Sciences [HSS] (Cognate Course)

COMD 14500.  Language Development in Children [HSS] (Cognate Course)

Education

EDUC 11500.  Child and Adolescent Development [HSS] (Cognate Course)

EDUC 17000.  Introduction to Intervention and Student Support [PPRE] (Cognate Course)

Neuroscience 

NEUR 10000.  Introduction to Neuroscience [MNS]

NEUR 20001. Neuroscience and Brain Damage [HSS]

NEUR 20002.  Neuroscience and Sex and Gender 

NEUR 20003. Neuroscience and Neurodiversity [MNS, HSS, PPRE]

NEUR 31300.  Neurobiology of Learning and Memory [W]

NEUR 34100.  Neuropharmacology

NEUR 39903.  Neuroscience of Wellness

NEUR 38500.  Integrative Neuroscience Seminar

NEUR 40100.  Proposal Writing and Careers in Neuroscience 

NEUR 45100.  Senior Independent Study - Semester One

NEUR 45200.  Senior Independent Study - Semester Two

Philosopy

PHIL 21500. Biomedical Ethics [AH, SJ] (Cognate Course)

PHIL 22200.  Scientific Revolutions & Methodology [AH] (Cognate Course)

PHIL 30400.  Mind and Cognition [AH] (Cognate Course)

Physics 

PHYS 10700.  Physics for Life Sciences I [MNS, QL] (Cognate Course)

PHYS 11100.  Physics for the Physical Sciences I [MNS, QL] (Cognate Course)

Psychology

PSYC 10000. Introduction to Psychology [HSS]

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

PSYC 29918.  Cognitive Psychology [HSS] (Cognate Course)

PSYC 29922.  The Brain and Language [HSS]

PSYC 32200.  Memory and Cognition [W]

PSYC 32300.   Behavioral Neuroscience [W]

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

PSYC 34500.  Drugs and Behavior

PSYC 34600.  Face Recognition [HSS, Q]

 

 

Special Notes–Neurobiology-Biology Track

  • See Chemistry Department information on placement exams for CHEM 11100  /CHEM 11200 .
  • First year students are advised to complete 4 out of the 6 100-level courses.  200-level course may be taken during sophomore 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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