Neuroscience Minor
Neuroscience represents an emerging integrative scientific discipline that seeks to: 1) better understand nervous system structure and function and 2) 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 neuro-science, 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, for example, 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 493, and one of three core electives. Students must choose four other elective courses. Three of these electives must come from outside of the student's major. Students must earn a C grade or better in all courses applied toward certification of the minor. Students are strongly encouraged to take BIO 150-151 prior to or at the beginning of their coursework in the minor. Students cannot take CSC 325 after taking CSC 425. Psychology majors may only apply six hours of minor course work to their major.
Required Courses:
PSY 311 - Biopsychology
PHI 345 - Philosophy of Mind
NEU 493 - Cognitive Neuroscience Seminar
One of the following:
BIO 245 - Neurobiology
CSC 325 - Introduction to Neural Networks and Artificial Intelligence
PSY 338 - Cognitive Processes
Elective Courses:
ANT 202 - Physical Anthropology
ANT 275 - Language and Culture
ANT 363 Language and Thought
ANT 371 Psychological Anthropology
BIO 245 - Neurobiology
BIO 251 - Genetics, Molecular, and Cell Biology I
BIO 252 - Genetic, Molecular, and Cell Biology II
BIO 402 - Advanced Neurobiology
BIO 402L - Advanced Neurobiology Lab
BIO 440 - Animal Behavior
BIO 467 - Endocrinology
CSC 325 - Introduction to Neural Networks and Artificial Intelligence
CSC 425 - Artificial Intelligence
CSC 485 - Theory of Computation
ENG 381 - Introduction to Linguistics
PHI 165 - Introduction to Logic
PHI 306 - Philosophy and Science
PHI 302 - Ethics and Science
PSY 309 - Psychology of Perception
PSY 333 - Abnormal Psychology
PSY 337 - Animal Learning
PSY 338 - Cognitive Processes
Other acceptable elective courses upon consent of the minor director:
HNR 301/PHI 394 - Special Topics: Androids, Zombies, and Brains
HNR 302/PSY 494 - Special Topics: Drug Policy
HNR 303 - The Dream of a Perfect Language
PHI 315 - Knowledge and Reality
PHI 340 - Contemporary Anglo-American Philosophy
Directed Research/Independent Study:
ANT 499, BIO 492, CHE 492, CSC 499, HNR 491, PHI 499, PSY 492
Contact:
Dr. Mark Bardgett
(859)572-5591
bardgettm@nku.edu