Program Overview

The rapidly growing field of neuroscience seeks to understand the nervous systems of human and nonhuman animals. It is a broad discipline that quite literally spans scientific specialties ranging in scope from molecule to mind. The field draws on the techniques and traditions of biology, chemistry, philosophy, psychology, and more recently, physics, mathematics and computer science. Neuroscientists study topics ranging from basic cellular processes in the brain, to identifying the causes of clinical brain/behavior disorders, to computational modeling of neural circuits and the quest for human consciousness. The neuroscience program at Centenary College has been designed to reflect this diverse scientific lineage. This approach provides students with a solid foundational knowledge while retaining the flexibility to pursue electives emphasizing their specific interests. Students who successfully complete the program will be well prepared for post-graduate study and/or an entry level position in a neuroscience-related field including biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, as well as positions in local, state or federal health programs.

 

Program Requirements

 

Major Requirements for the B.S. in Neuroscience

1. Major core courses (20 hours)

• BIOL 101: Principles & Methods of Biology
• BIOL 204: Cell Biology
• NEUR 240: Introduction to Neuroscience
• NEUR 410S: Advanced Neuroscience
• NEUR 494: Independent Study

2. Three elective courses from the following (12 hours)

Note: these courses may have prerequisites not listed here.

• BIOL 202: Structure and Function of Organisms
• PHIL 212: Bioethics
• CSC 277: Bioinformatics
• BIOL 290: Interdisciplinary Studies
• BPHY 304/314: Modern Physics in Biology
• BIOL 316: Molecular Genetics
• NEUR 317: Sensation and Perception
• BIOL 321: Biochemistry I
• NEUR 395: Special Topics
• NEUR 396: Special Topics
• BIOL 403: Animal Behavior
• BIOL 405: Advanced Cell Biology
• CHEM 402: Advanced Organic Chemistry
• PSY 421: Abnormal Psychology
• CSC 440: Artificial intelligence

3. Supportive courses

• CHEM 121/123: General Chemistry I as the Natural Science Foundation course requirement
• CHEM 122/124: General Chemistry II
• CHEM 201/211: Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 202/212: Organic Chemistry II 

 

Minor Requirements for Neuroscience (20 hours)

• BIOL 101: Principles and Methods of Biology
• NEUR 240: Introduction to Neuroscience
• NEUR 410S: Advanced Neuroscience
• Two courses from those listed in the major electives of the BS program 

 

Departmental Honors in Neuroscience

For a student to be considered for admission to the Honors Program in Neuroscience, he or she must meet the general College requirements for admission to such programs. In addition to the general requirements, a student must complete an additional two credit hours of independent study credit beyond that required by the major (a total of four hours). In collaboration with the supervising faculty member, the student must prepare a written summary of their project in the form of a Journal of Neuroscience article that will be archived by the Neuroscience Program. Finally, students must present their work at the Centenary College Student Research Forum.