Neuroscience Program

Director:听John Birmingham听(笔丑测蝉颈肠蝉)

Faculty: Andrew Kelley Evans, Lang Chen (Psychology), Laura Cocas (Biology), Tanya Gupta (Psychology)

A Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience at SCU will provide students with the scientific foundation needed to understand the nervous system at many levels, from molecular to patient symptomatology. Students will use interdisciplinary approaches to examine the biological, computational, and psychological underpinnings of the nervous system. Students will come to appreciate the interactions between neurological and environmental factors contributing to disease, disorders, and development. They will be challenged to consider ethical issues in neuroscience research and practice. Students who graduate with a neuroscience major will be prepared for diverse careers in health care, policy, business, law, biomedical, and clinical research or in graduate level studies in neuroscience-related disciplines.

Requirements for the Major

In addition to fulfilling the undergraduate Core Curriculum requirements for the bachelor of science degree, students majoring in neuroscience must complete the following requirements:

NEUR 1, 10, 150, 190
BIOL 1A, 1B, 1C,听122, 160
CHEM 11, 12 (or 14), 31, 32, 33
MATH 35 or 11 (35 recommended)
MATH 36 or 12 or CSCI 10
PHIL 32 (recommended)
PSYC 1, 165, 169
One听from BIOL 110, 112, 120, 123, 124, 165, 172, 174, 175, 178;
One from PSYC 120, 130, 138, 166, 167, 196
One additional course from: NEUR 175, 185, BIOL 110, 112, 119, 120, 123, 123A, 124, 164, 165, 171, 172, 174, 175, 178; CHEM 141; CSCI 168
One additional course from: NEUR 175, 185, COMM 176A/113; PHIL 113, 117; \听PSYC 120, 130, 138, 166, 167, 196
Recommended courses for students intending to pursue graduate work in Neuroscience: PHYS 11, 12, 13 or PHYS 31, 32, 33

Lower-Division Courses

1. Introduction to Neuroscience

This course introduces听fundamental concepts in neuroscience. Students will consider the importance of biological and environmental factors on brain function and behavior. Students will examine interdisciplinary approaches to听problems in neuroscience and engage with important ethical and societal issues in neuroscience (e.g., Brain-Computer Interfaces, cognition, addiction).听(4 units)

10. Explorations in Neuroscience

A course with a focus on foundational knowledge essential to the field (e.g., neurons, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology) with an introduction to research methodologies to be able to understand and conduct neuroscience research. Lecture and lab. Prerequisite: NEUR 1听and Neuroscience major or permission of instructor. (5听units)

Upper-Division Courses

150. Neuroscience Research Seminar

Junior-level course using journal readings and invited neuroscientists from on- and off-campus to discuss research from several disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, engineering, ethics, psychology). An opportunity for majors to explore potential career paths and strategies, discuss听the scientific merit of original research and be introduced to neuroscientists in a variety of fields and professions. Course may be repeated multiple times. P/NP grading. Prerequisite: NEUR 10. Recommended but not required: BIOL 122. (2 units)

175. Neuroscience of Healthy Aging

This course integrates research from neuroscience, genetics, and epidemiology to investigate how genetic and environmental factors interact to impact healthy aging. From cellular mechanisms to systems-level regulatory changes, this course will provide an overview of the neurobiological processes underlying aging. Students will examine key mechanisms underlying the aging process and discuss strategies for promoting longevity and resilience in the nervous system. Through lectures, group discussions, and critical analysis of current research, students will explore the neurobiological factors that promote healthy aging. Prerequisite: NEUR 10. Recommended but not required, BIOL 122. (5 units.)

185. Developmental Neuroscience of Human Behavior

This course will focus on the current research findings on brain changes over the lifespan development in humans in responses to learning and experience. Students will be introduced to foundational methods and skills to explore and understand the typical and atypical developments of cognitive, language, and social skills in humans. Students will also practice scientific inquiry skills via research-based activities. Prerequisite: NEUR 10. Recommended but not required, PSYC 169. (5 units)

190. Neuroscience Capstone

This senior-level capstone experience examines the breadth and depth of the neuroscience discipline, using in-class primary research presentations, career exploration and preparation projects, as well as a final capstone project to investigate both theory and practice to answer new questions in neuroscience today. Prerequisites: BIOL 122听and听NEUR 150. Recommended but not required: ENVS 110/BIOL 160. (5 units)

198. Neuroscience Internship

A course where students can learn how they can best apply classroom instruction to their career objectives through an academically supported work or volunteer experience outside of 杏吧视频. Internships should encourage career skills and professional growth and serve to introduce the student to the range of opportunities afforded a degree in the discipline. To be eligible for this course, students must present an outline of their projected work as part of the internship to the Neuroscience program director no later than the sixth week of the term preceding the start of the project. Number of units will be determined based on the expected time commitment. Prerequisite: departmental and University permission. P/NP grading. (1-5 units)