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2018-2019 Updated [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Neuroscience, Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience - Psychology Track, B.A.

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TENURED AND TENURED-TRACK FACULTY:
Amy Jo Stavnezer, Chair

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 under- stand 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 perception, emotion, cognition, and even social behavior. Though Neuroscience research as a whole is broad and far- reaching, 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 influence of development, genetics and environment on the central nervous system, the behavioral and physiological effects of pharmacological agents, the impact of stress, disease and aging on behavior and the brain, 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 also the larger challenges facing the field of Neuroscience. In addition, it 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 Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience - Psychology Track

Consists of sixteen courses:

Special Notes

  • Junior Independent Study (Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience): The College requirement of a unit of Independent Study in the junior year is satisfied by PSYC 32100 , PSYC 32200 , PSYC 32300 , PSYC 32400  or PSYC 33500  (in addition to the core requirement of PSYC 32300  or PSYC 32400 ) prior to Senior Independent Study.
  • Cognitive Behavioral track majors must complete two laboratory courses in Psychology before their senior year. PSYC 32300  or PSYC 32400  is required, however the one that does not count towards the major requirements can be taken as an elective and count as one of the four upper level electives.
  • 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 upperlevel 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.
  • Students, depending upon their track, are also encouraged to take the following courses, which are requirements for many graduate, medical and other pre-professional programs: CHEM 21100  and CHEM 21200  (Organic Chemistry sequence), CHEM 33100 and 33200 (Biochemistry sequence), PHYS 20300, and MATH 11100  (OR both MATH 10700  and MATH 10800 ).
  • No minor in Neuroscience is offered.
  • Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the major, with the exception of PSYC 25000  that requires a C or better.

Neuroscience Courses & Cross-listed Courses Accepted for Neuroscience Credit

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

BCMB 30300.  Techniques in Biochemistry & MolecularBiology [W]

BCMB 33100.  Principles of Biochemistry [MNS]

BCMB 40100.  Intro to Independent Study

BCMB 45100.  Independent Study Thesis

BCMB 45200.  Independent Study Thesis

Biology

BIOL 11100.  Foundations of Biology (bcmb, Envs, Neur [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 34400.  Comparative Animal Physiology

BIOL 34400L.  Comparative Animal Physiology Lab

BIOL 35200.  Animal Behavior

BIOL 35200L.  Animal Behavior 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

CHEM 21200.  Organic Chemistry II [MNS]

CHEM 21200L.  Organic Chemistry II Lab

Mathematics

MATH 10200.  Introduction to Statistics [MNS, Q]

Philosophy

PHIL 21500.  Biomedical Ethics [AH]

PHIL 22200.  Scientific Revolutions & Methodology [AH]

Psychology

PSYC 10000.  Introduction to Psychology [HSS]

PSYC 21200.  Abnormal Psychology [HSS]

PSYC 23000.  Human Neuropsychology [HSS]

PSYC 23500.  Evolutionary Psychology [HSS]

PSYC 25000.  Intro to Statistics & ExperimentalDesign [Q]

PSYC 29902.  Sex Differences in the Brain

PSYC 31500.  Music and Speech Perception

PSYC 32100.  Learning & Behavior [W]

PSYC 32100L.  Learning & Behavior Lab

PSYC 32200.  Memory & Cognition [W]

PSYC 32200L.  Memory & Cognition Lab

PSYC 32300.  Behavioral Neuroscience [W]

PSYC 32300L.  Behavioral Neuroscience Lab [W]

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

PSYC 32400L.  Cognitive Neuroscience Lab

PSYC 33500.  Perception and Action [W]

PSYC 33500L.  Perception & Action Lab

PSYC 34500.  Drugs and Behavior

PSYC 34600.  Face Recognition [HSS, Q]

PSYC 39903.  Behavioral Genetics

PSYC 39908.  Face Recognition

PSYC 45100.  Independent Study Thesis

PSYC 45200.  Independent Study Thesis

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