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2024-2025 Catalog
Neuroscience, BA
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 Return to: Majors, Minors, and Programs
Neuroscience explores the structure and function of the nervous system and its roles in human and animal behavior, perception, development, and physiology. As an interdisciplinary field, neuroscience combines the theoretical foundations and methodologies of experimental psychology, biology, physiology, pharmacology, biophysics, and mathematics. A neuroscience major prepares the student for graduate programs in neuroscience itself and as a double major or minor enhances the competitive position of students for graduate programs in any of the contributing fields, as well as medical, veterinary, dental, and allied health professions.
The student learning objectives for students majoring in neuroscience are:
- to demonstrate an understanding of the central theoretical framework of modern neuroscience;
- to recognize and explain common patterns in the development, organization, function, and diversity of animal nervous systems;
- to develop and demonstrate proficiency in some of the central methodologies and experimental techniques of modern neuroscience, including electrophysiology from cells, nerves and networks, biobehavioral recording, neurohistology, and neuropharmacology;
- to interrelate and appreciate the unique contributions of the multiple scientific disciplines which contribute to the field of neuroscience and its current literature; and
- to apply knowledge about the nervous system to exploring and understanding related fields in biology and psychology, such as development, anatomy, physiology, behavior, cognition, and learning.
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Major requirements: Neuroscience
The major program requires a minimum of 51 hours of course work, including the following:
I. Introductory Context Courses (6 courses; 22 hours):
II. Intermediate Methodology Courses (any 2 courses; 6-7 hours):
III. Neuroscience Core Courses (any 2 courses; 7-8 hours):
IV. Neuroscience Content Electives in Biology (any 2 courses; 7-8 hours):
V. Neuroscience Content Electives in Psychology (any 2 courses; 6-8 hours):
VI. Senior Capstone Course (either course; 3 hours):
Note:
*May substitute any calculus course; MAT 205 recommended.
**If not used to fulfill set III - Neuroscience Core Courses requirement.
***Must be an approved Special Topics course directly relevant to neuroscience.
Research in Neuroscience (NSC 451 /NSC 499 ), Biology (BIO 451 /BIO 499 ), or Psychology (PSY 451 /PSY 499 ) is also strongly recommended.
For students planning application to graduate or professional programs the following additional courses are strongly recommended:
Integrative Experience
The integrative experience requirement is met with BIO 440: Senior Integrative Exercise in the Life Sciences or PSY 402: History and Systems of Psychology . In these courses, students work individually to research a focused topic integrating neuroscience concepts and methods with those of another discipline. Students work collaboratively in a small group to organize oral presentations incorporation individual topics into a broader theme, question, or problem. Students present their work at the end of the semester.
Professional Development
Throughout her Wesleyan education each student is given opportunities to explore professional and career choices, and to develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for professional success. Each student will complete PDE 350: Professional Practice Seminar and PDE 400: Professional Development Experience .
The neuroscience professional experience requirement can be met by involvement in any of the following related activities: internship, independent study, assisting a faculty member with the instruction of a regular teaching laboratory (teaching assistant), working with a faculty member as part of a laboratory or field research project.
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Return to: Majors, Minors, and Programs
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