NEUROSCIENCE

Neuroscience is an Interdepartmental Program administered jointly by the Department of Psychology and the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB).

The overall goals of this concentration are to: (1) provide a course of study in the discipline of Neuroscience that integrates cell/molecular and behavioral components of the field; and (2) provide a course of study that better prepares students for graduate training in the field of Neuroscience than do the current concentrations in Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB), Biology, or Behavior, Brain and Cognitive Science (BBCS). An understanding of how the nervous system functions spans both molecular and cellular activity that is best taught by cell and molecular neurobiologists, and behavior that is best taught by psychologists. The well-trained student will receive instruction that allows her or him to understand the usefulness of genetics, cellular biology, and behavioral tests in this complex field. This degree will provide the cross-disciplinary training that provides a head-start into post-graduate studies in Neuroscience.

Prerequisites to Concentration. BIOLOGY 171 and 172/174, or BIO 195, or BIOLOGY 162 or, 163, or AP credit for BIO 162; CHEM 210, 211, 215, 216

It is recommended that students interested in pursuing advanced training in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience elect MATH 115 and 116, CHEM 230, PHYSICS 125/126 and 127/128 or 140/141 and 240/241. Those interested in advanced training in Behavioral Neuroscience should take at lest one statistics course.

Students intending to go to graduate school should have at least two terms of research experience. These can appear as graded courses, UROP participation, or be independent of the graded curriculum. Most graduate school-bound students will have 1-2 graded research courses (2-4 credits each) on record. Students intending to go to graduate school in Neuroscience within a CMB-type program will need research experience as well as two terms of calculus and two terms of physics. Students intending to go to medical school will need to take two terms of physics and CHEM 230.

Concentration Program A minimum of 38 credits required if a student elected BIO 162, or 163 or has AP credit for BIO 162. 36 credits* if the student elected BIO 171 and 172, or BIO 195.

* Pending the College Curriculum Committee approval winter 2008.

Required courses in Neurobiology, Genetics, Biochemistry and Psychology

(a) BIOLOGY 222;

(b) BIOLOGY 305;

(c) BIOLOGY 310, 311; BIOLCHEM 415 OR 451; OR CHEM 451;

(d) PSYCH 230

Electives (6 courses, minimum 18 credits).

(a) Lecture courses at the 200-300 level. At least one, and up to two courses from:

          BIOLOGY 208, 225; MCDB 307; PSYCH 240, 345

(b) Advanced lecture and discussion courses in Neuroscience 300-400 level. At least three courses (and up to five courses), with at least one course from group 1 and one course from group 2. One advanced course from Group 3 may be used toward this requirement.

       1. Group 1: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience:

             MCDB 403, 422, 418, 426

       2. Group 2: Behavioral Neuroscience:

             BIOLOGY 541; PSYCH 346, 347, 402, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 500, 531, 532, 533; NEUROSCI 520

Note: Additional courses may be approved in advance by the concentration advisory panel.

      3. Group 3: Additional advanced course:

            MCDB 411, 427, 428, 435, 469; EEB 492; PSYCH 420, 447, STATS 350 or 400*, or STATS 401 or 405*

3. Laboratory Requirement. At least two different courses for a minimum of five credits from the following categories, with as least one course being a methods-based laboratory:

(a) Method-based Laboratory courses: Choose at least one course from:

       PSYCH 231; BIOLOGY 173, 226; MCDB 306, 308, 419, 423, 429

(b) Research-based laboratory courses: MCDB 300, 400; PSYCH 326, 331, 422, 424/426

Note: Each research course must be taken for a minimum of two credits each and be completed in a single academic term. Only three credits of independent study may count towards the concentration program.

Quantitative Requirement Cognate.Two courses are required. (While 100-level courses may be used to satisfy this requirement, the credits for 100-level courses may not be used toward the minimum number of credits required for the concentration).

    (a) STATS 350 or 400*

    (b) STATS 401 or 405*

    (c) PSYCH 448

    (d) MATH 115 or 186

    (e) MATH 116 or 186

    (f) PHYSICS 125 or 140 or 160

    (g) PHYSICS 126 or 240 or 260

*If STATS 350 or 400, or 401 or 405, is counted in Group 3 "Additional Advanced Course," it cannot be double counted in Group 4 "Quantitative Requirement Cognate," and vice versa.

Exclusions:SStudents may not double concentrate in Biology; General Biology; Cell and Molecular Biology; Brain, Behavior and Cognitive Science; Biochemistry; Plant Biology, Microbiology; nor elect a minor in Biology, or Plant Biology.

Neuroscience Concentration Form

Below is the form outlining the Neuroscience concentration requirements. This worksheet is used by the concentration advisors.

Download the Neuroscience concentration form.