Neuroscience, Minor

The 22 credit Neuroscience minor is a rigorous, interdisciplinary exploration of the brain, mind, and nervous system through a combination of coursework and research opportunities.

The minor includes a core and two areas of emphasis. All neuroscience minors must complete the 10-credit neuroscience core and complete a minimum of 6 credits in each emphasis area.

Students pursuing the Neuroscience minor will be eligible for declaring this minor if they have completed the minor’s prerequisites with a minimum grade of B for each course (P/NP not accepted). Most prerequisites can be completed as part of a major and/or general education. The prerequisites are not part of the minor.

Requirements:

Students pursuing the Minor in Neuroscience are required to:

Earn an overall GPA of 3.000 for all required minor courses.
Complete all courses in the minor for a letter grade.

prerequisites (16 credits)

100 or 200 level Philosophy (PHIL) course 3 credits
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
one of the following
MATH 203 - Introduction to Statistics 3 credits
PSY 203 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences 3 credits
MATH 303 - Biostatistics 3 credits
BIOL 204 - From Molecules to Cells: Evolution of Life on Earth (Gen Biol I) 3 credits
one of the following
CPSC 230 - Computer Science I 3 credits
CPSC 292 - Introduction to Exploratory Data Analysis 3 credits

neuroscience core (10 credits)

NEUR 301 - Introduction to Neuroscience 3 credits
NEUR 302 - Introduction to Neuroscience Laboratory 1 credit
PSY 333 - Physiological Psychology 3 credits
OR
BIOL 407 - Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology 3 credits
NEUR 495 - Capstone in Neuroscience 3 credits

neuroscience emphasis areas (12 credits minimum)

Credits are divided between the two emphasis areas, philosophy and psychological sciences and natural, health science, and technological sciences.

philosophy and psychological sciences emphasis area (6 credits minimum)

two of the following *

PHIL 300 - Symbolic Logic 3 credits
PSY 315 - Sensation and Perception 3 credits
PSY 317 - Cognitive Psychology 3 credits
PSY 319 - Motivation and Emotion 3 credits
PHIL 321 - Philosophy of Science 3 credits
PHIL 340 - Philosophy of Mind 3 credits
PHIL 365 - Philosophy and Neuroscience of Free Will 3 credits
OR
PSY 365 - Philosophy and Neuroscience of Free Will 3 credits

natural, health science, and technological sciences emphasis area (6 credits minimum)

two of the following

BIOL 309 - Hormones and Behavior 3 credits
BIOL 343 - Computational Neuroscience 4 credits
OR
NEUR 436 - Neural Computation 3 credits
BIOL 433 - Animal Behavior, Lecture and Laboratory 4 credits
CPSC 358 - Assistive Technology 3 credits
CPSC 392 - Introduction to Data Science 3 credits
HSCI 301 - Biomechanics and Functional Anatomy 3 credits
HSCI 440 - Applied Human Neurophysiology 3 credits
HSCI 460 - Principles of Pharmacology 3 credits
OR
PSY 433 - Psychopharmacology 3 credits

research credit options

A maximum of 3 credits of research may be substituted for coursework in one emphasis area. Research credits must receive prior approval of the Neuroscience Director. If 3 credits of research are applied to one area of emphasis, research credits cannot be applied to the other area of emphasis.

BIOL 491 - Student-Faculty Research/Creative Activity 1-3 credits
CPSC 491 - Student-Faculty Research/Creative Activity 1-3 credits
HSCI 491 - Student-Faculty Research/Creative Activity 1-3 credits
PHIL 491 - Student-Faculty Research/Creative Activity 1-3 credits
PSY 491 - Student-Faculty Research/Creative Activity 1-3 credits
NEUR 499 - Individual Study in Neuroscience 1-3 credits

total credits 22

*Psychology majors may only take up to 3 credits of PSY courses (including cross-listed and research) from the philosophy and psychological sciences emphasis area.

optional internships

for students who wish to earn optional, additional credit and experiences in Neuroscience

NEUR 490 - Independent Internship 1-3 credits