Brain Synapses

Neuroscience combines the fields of biology and psychology. Our courses touch upon linguistics, philosophy, computer science, and music. Students discuss and interact with many complex and exciting concepts. These include genetics, human physiology, computation, cognition, cells, molecules, and diseases.

Brain Synapses

Requirements for the Neuroscience Minor

The Neuroscience Minor requires 47 credits as follows:

  • Core Courses (20 credits required):
  • BIOL 125: Genes, Evolution, and Development and Lab
  • NEUR 127: Foundations in Neuroscience and Lab
  • NEUR 238: Neurons, Circuits and Behavior
  • NEUR 239: Neurons, Circuits and Behavior Lab

The BIOL 125: Genes, Evolution, and Development and Lab requirement is waived if a student received a score of 5 on the AP Biology Exam or a higher level IB exam score of 6 or 7.

  • Capstone (3 credits required):
  • NEUR 395: Neuroscience Capstone Seminar
  • Electives (24 credits required from the list below): 
    • A single course may fulfill more than one requirement, for example Biology 332 would fulfill both the 300 level and the Biology requirement
    • At least 6 credits from Biology
    • At least 6 credits from Psychology
    • At least 6 credits at 300 level
  • BIOL 240: Genetics
  • BIOL 248: Behavioral Ecology
  • BIOL 272: Integrative Animal Physiology (not offered 2023-24)
  • BIOL 280: Cell Biology
  • BIOL 281: Cell Biology Laboratory
  • BIOL 332: Human Physiology
  • BIOL 333: Human Physiology Laboratory
  • BIOL 342: Animal Developmental Biology (not offered 2023-24)
  • BIOL 365: Seminar: Topics in Neuroscience
  • BIOL 368: Seminar: Developmental Neurobiology
  • BIOL 379: Seminar: Behavioral Genetics (not offered 2023-24)
  • BIOL 386: Neurobiology (not offered 2023-24)
  • CS 254: Computability and Complexity
  • CS 321: Making Decisions with Artificial Intelligence (not offered 2023-24)
  • MUSC 227: Perception and Cognition of Music (not offered 2023-24)
  • MUSC 228: Perception and Cognition of Music Lab (not offered 2023-24)
  • PHIL 225: Philosophy of Mind (not offered 2023-24)
  • PSYC 210: Psychology of Learning and Memory
  • PSYC 211: Laboratory Research Methods in Learning and Memory
  • PSYC 216: Behavioral Neuroscience
  • PSYC 217: Laboratory Research Methods in Behavioral Neuroscience
  • PSYC 218: Hormones, Brain, and Behavior
  • PSYC 219: Laboratory Research Methods in Hormones, Brain, and Behavior
  • PSYC 220: Sensation and Perception
  • PSYC 254: Psychopathology
  • PSYC 260: Health Psychology
  • PSYC 263: Sleep and Dreaming
  • PSYC 267: Clinical Neuroscience (not offered 2023-24)
  • PSYC 318: Psychopharmacology (not offered 2023-24)
  • PSYC 366: Cognitive Neuroscience
  • PSYC 367: Neuropsychology of Aging (not offered 2023-24)
  • PSYC 370: Behavioral Neuroimmunology (not offered 2023-24)
  • PSYC 371: Evolutionary and Developmental Trends in Cognition (not offered 2023-24)
  • PSYC 379: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (not offered 2023-24)

Neuroscience Courses

  • NEUR 099 Fundamentals of Neuroscience

  • NEUR 127 Foundations in Neuroscience and Lab

    This course is an introduction to basic neural function. Topics include neural transmission, development of the nervous system, anatomy, sensory systems, learning and the corresponding change in the brain, and the role of the nervous system in behavior. Team-based learning will be used to understand the experiments that shape current knowledge.

  • NEUR 238 Neurons, Circuits and Behavior

    Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system. Molecular and cellular neuroscience seeks to understand the fundamental principles that govern how neurons function, how they communicate with each other, and how they assemble into circuits that generate behavior. This course focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of nervous system function from the level of genes and molecules to neural circuits and behavior. We will take an integrative approach to examine the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie neuronal communication, the molecular basis of sensation and innate behaviors, neural plasticity, and nervous system disorders. This course will emphasize the experimental evidence and techniques that have built our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of behavior through team-based learning, analysis of primary literature papers and laboratory experimentation. A grade of C- or better must be earned in both Neuroscience 238 and 239 to satisfy the LS requirement.

  • NEUR 239 Neurons, Circuits and Behavior Lab

    This laboratory course will provide experience in performing experiments to elucidate the structure and function of neurons and neural circuits using classical and cutting-edge techniques. Students will apply these techniques to develop and carry out an independent research project.

  • NEUR 395 Neuroscience Capstone Seminar

    This capstone seminar will cover current approaches and techniques in the field of neuroscience. Guest speakers in neuroscience and related areas will present their research.