Neuroscience Minor
Neuroscience represents an emerging integrative scientific discipline that seeks to better understand nervous system structure and function and use this knowledge to better understand mental processing and behavior. In addressing these goals, neuroscience borrows from an array of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, computer science, philosophy, anthropology, mathematics, pharmacology, and education. In turn, the knowledge gained through neuroscience research can advance the fields of medicine, biology, pharmacology, psychology, education, social work, forensics, marketing, and computer science, among others.
Students participating in the minor program will be introduced to a variety of perspectives on the field of neuroscience. These perspectives include neurobiology, evolution of mind/brain, theories of mind, behavioral neuroscience, psychopharmacology, cognitive science, computational neuroscience, animal behavior, linguistics, and perception. The neuroscience minor may be an attractive addition to a major in natural science, mathematics and computer science, social science, or humanities, and should enable students to address issues and dilemmas in their major field from a neuroscience perspective. It may also better prepare students who are considering graduate study in fields impacted by neuroscience (i.e., medicine, psychology, education, chemistry, biology, pharmacology, computer science, philosophy, and social work).
The minor requires a minimum of 22 hours of coursework. These include 10 hours of required courses and an additional 12 hours in electives. Students would be required to take PSY 311, PHI 345, NEU 400, and one of three core electives. Students would choose four other elective courses. Three of these electives must come from outside of the student's major. Students are strongly encouraged to take BIO 150-151 prior to or at the beginning of their coursework in the minor. Students will be required to carry a 2.0 GPA in program courses to earn the minor. Students cannot take CSC 325 after taking CSC 425. Psychology majors may only apply six hours of minor coursework to their major. Students must earn a C grade or better in all courses applied toward certification of the minor.