Neuroscience - Allegheny College

Neuroscience

Neuroscience Major

Neuroscience is the study of brain and nervous system and includes the study of sub-disciplines such as development, sensation and perception, behavior, cognition, learning and memory, movement, sleep, stress, aging, and neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Neuroscience At a Glance

33

Of majors continue their neuroscience education in graduate school.

28

Of majors enter medical, veterinary, or physical therapy school.

14

Of majors find employment as research technicians at major research universities.

Independent study and research internships

Students may participate in research prior to the Senior Comp by taking advantage of the Independent Study or Research Internship options available in the neuroscience curriculum. Both options are credit-bearing courses that can be taken during any semester. Independent Study students explore research hypotheses of their own creation.

An interdisciplinary program, Neuroscience draws primarily upon course offerings of the Biology and Psychology Departments.

Students typically take CHEM 120 (with prerequisite math requirement), CHEM 122, Chemical Concepts; NEURO 110, Foundations of Neuroscience I; and NEURO 120 Foundations of Neuroscience II.

Students typically take CHEM 231, Organic Chemistry I, Form and Function; BIO 220, Organismal Physiology and Ecology; and BIO 221 Genetics, Development and Evolution.

Students must take one of five junior seminar courses in preparation for the Senior Project. The student may choose one from the following list of seminars: BIO 580, Seminar (special topics); PSYCH 555, Behavior, Cognition, and Health; PSYCH 557, Behavioral Mechanisms of Drug Action; PSYCH 558, Behavioral Neuroscience; or PSYCH 559, Clinical Neuropsychology.

Students must initiate and complete the Senior Comp: NEURO 600, Senior Project I and NEURO 610, Senior Project II.

Program Outcomes

Students completing a major in Neuroscience are expected to be able to:

Demonstrate a broad understanding of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and neurochemistry in relation to sensory processing, behavior, cognition, and health.

Demonstrate a depth of knowledge in both cell and molecular neurobiology and behavioral and cognitive neuroscience.

Understand the tools and methods used in neuroscience research and critically analyze the primary literature in specific sub-disciplines within neuroscience

Design, conduct, and interpret results of neuroscience experiments and effectively communicate these results in both oral and written form.

Mike Siegel, Alumnus

Class of 2019, Neuroscience Major/Spanish Minor

“ Throughout my experiences in this program, I met lifelong friends and colleagues who have only furthered my love and appreciation for neuroscience and how it can apply to every aspect of our daily lives on many levels. Now, as a medical student, I am able to use what I have learned to work toward another of my lifelong goals: becoming a physician.” ”