The neurosciences investigate the development, organization,and functioning of the nervous system. The ultimate goal is to explain behavior in terms of underlying neural structure. Neuroscience is a challenging interdisciplinary undertaking with required courses in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

The major provides students with

(1) a broadly based yet integrated education focused on the relationship between human behavior and biology,

(2) laboratory experience to help them develop scientific process skill (e.g., critical reading, writing, and thinking),

(3) the opportunity to integrate information gained by studying the nervous system at different levels, and

(4) the opportunity to engage in original research under the supervision of a faculty member.

Students completing the major will have an interdisciplinary scientific background from which to pursue their particular interests in the neurosciences. For a more detailed description of neuroscience, please see the Society for Neuroscience web page here.

Students majoring in Neuroscience complete a minimum of 14 courses (16 units) across four different departments. Required courses are:

Psychology 100 (or 101 or 111), Introductory Psychology; 202, Research Design (2 blocks); 299, Neuroscience (2 blocks); 344, Cognition, or 332, Learning and Adaptive Behavior, or 362, Abnormal Psychology; and two of the following: 412, Neuropsychology; 417 Advanced Neuroscience Seminar; 433, Neuropharmacology.

Biology 109, Biology of Vertebrates (or 108, Biology of Invertebrates) ; 210, Cell Biology; 361, Molecular and Classical Genetics (or CH382, Biochemistry I).

Chemistry 107-108, Integrated General Chemistry I, II; 250, Structures of Organic Molecules; 251, Reactions of Organic Molecules.

Mathematics 126, Calculus I.

Although not required, PC141-142, Introduction to physics I, II (or 241/242, Introductory classical physics) is highly recommended, especially for students planning on attending medical school. In addition, the following are also recommended, depending on your interests: BY244, Histotechnique; BY465, Molecular biology, and PC151, Physics and living things.

Students pursuing graduate studies in the neurosciences are strongly encouraged to complete at least one block of relevant independent laboratory research under close faculty supervision from one of the following: PY451-454; BY309/409; CH201. Note that such research projects must be conducted with one of the Neuroscience advisors. If the advisor is in the Psychology department, the student must complete a proposal the academic year before the research is to be conducted. Proposal forms are available on the Psychology web page.

Note: Before a student can declare a major in Neuroscience, s/he must first complete five of the above courses, one of which must be PY299:Neuroscience.

Students considered for distinction in Neuroscience successfully complete and present a research project that is awarded honors by the faculty. Important factors in granting of honors are the quality of (a) the research, (b) the associated manuscript, and (c) the oral presentation. In addition to an excellent research project, several other factors are also considered in granting distinction, including courses taken, grades received, work and research experience, and contribution to the departments involved in the major. Below are guidelines for graduating with distinction in Neuroscience:

General guidelines:

• A minimum overall GPA of 3.5, and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the required Neuroscience major courses. Normally, not more than 1 or 2 courses should be taken P/F.
• Successful completion of an independent research project. More than one block of research, which can include summers, is preferable for a project worthy of distinction.
• The project must be completed and submitted before the end of block 7 of the senior year.
• At least two of the Neuroscience advisors must agree that the project is worthy of distinction. The second advisor is chosen by the student in consultation with the project advisor.

Guidelines for independent research paper:

• The paper may be either (a) an empirical study (including case reports or ethnographic research) or (b) a literature review (i.e., library research) involving a critical synthesis of current literature, usually to support a specific hypothesis.
• The paper follows exactly the guidelines of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Publication manual (5th ed.). Papers not following the APA guidelines will not be considered for distinction.
• The paper is well-written and concise. Typically, empirical studies should not exceed 20-25 pages of text; literature reviews should not exceed 25-30 pages of text.

Guidelines for independent research presentation:

Formal presentation of research results is to be made at the Annual Psychology/Neuroscience Poster Day meeting, or a comparable national or college meeting.