Neuroscience

Mark Pitzer, Ph.D., psychological sciences and Jacqueline Van Hoomissen, Ph.D., biology, co-directors

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary area of study that brings together courses in psychology, biology, and philosophy in seeking to understand how the brain and nervous system acquire, process, and integrate information from the environment, how this information brings about complex behaviors of the organism, and how this impacts our understanding of the nature of the human person.

Learning Outcomes for Neuroscience Minors

  1. The student will be able to describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, and application to and limitations in explaining the implications of neuroscience in higher functions such as learning, emotions, sexual behavior, memory, language, mental illness, and conceptions of freedom, consciousness and moral responsibility.
  2. The student will be able to describe neuroscience phenomena at the molecular, cellular, systems and behavioral levels. This may include how external influences such as emotional experience, pre- and post-natal environment, and drug abuse alter the function and development of the nervous system.
  3. The student will be able to critically evaluate the implications of neuroscience for the nature of the human person.

15 upper-division credit hours are required for the minor, in addition to any prerequisites.

In fulfillment of the minor, students must take at least 12 of the required 15 credit hours of upper-division coursework outside their designated major. Students and advisors should note that only 3 credit hours can overlap between a major and minor. Typically, psychology majors will take 6 credit hours of biology electives and biology majors will take 6 credit hours of psychology electives.

Prerequisites - 6 credit hours

PSY 101Psychological Science

3

BIO 205Foundations of Biology

3

Or

BIO 207Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology

3

Required Courses - 9 credit hours

BIO 428Neurobiology

3

PHL 332Metaphysics: Philosophy of Mind

3

PSY 301Behavioral Neuroscience

3

Upper Division Electives - 6 credit hours

Select two courses from the following:
BIO 305Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

3

BIO 306Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

3

BIO 347Animal Behavior

3

PSY 311Sensation and Perception

3

PSY 321Psychology of Learning

3

PSY 331Cognition

3

PSY 341Evolutionary Psychology

3

PSY 351Health Psychology

3

PSY 410Drugs and Behavior

3

One time course offerings in BIO or PSY (designated 391/491) may fulfill the elective requirement. Please confirm eligible yearly course offerings with the program co-directors.