About the Program
Directors: C. Robin Timmons, Professor of Psychology
The Neuroscience major at Drew is a multidisciplinary program of study that allows students to explore the brain from the perspectives of many different disciplines, including anthropology, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, philosophy, and psychology. After building a firm background in biology, psychology and chemistry, majors study neuroscience topics at more advanced levels. In biology, students tease apart the function of genes and molecules in the brain, investigate how neurons connect with each other in physiological systems and networks that provide the physical substrate for both our conscious and subconscious experiences, and explore animal behavior from an evolutionary viewpoint. In psychology, students look at the anatomical basis of behavior, and examine the data and theory of learning, memory, sensation, perception, language, motivation, reasoning, and creativity. Examples of other ways of studying neuroscience include exploring the pharmacology of drugs designed to treat mental illnesses in a chemistry course or examining how a machine can be programmed to be able to process language and engage in visual perception in a computer science course.
One area of strength in Drew's Neuroscience program is its employment of hands-on laboratory and research experiences. Drew's technologically sophisticated neuroscience laboratories are designed to give students broad access to applied experiences in studying the brain. All majors take laboratory courses in which they image live neurons with fluorescent microscopy, measure brain chemicals in animals, and examine changes in brain morphology due to drug exposure, and use computers to study neuroanatomy and neurophysiology and for data collection, statistical analysis, and graphic presentations.
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Requirements for the Major (68 Credits)
The Neuroscience major requires a total of 68 credits, fulfills three general education requirements, and obviates a separately declared minor. Neuroscience majors may not also major or minor in either biology or psychology. Because of the number of required courses, students must plan carefully. During the first two years, most lower- and intermediate-level courses required for the major should be completed. Students should note that many of the upper-level courses have prerequisites, and they should choose their foundation courses appropriately.
I. Required introductory and intermediate level courses (24):
BIOL 7/Ecology and Evolution (4)
BIOL 9/Diversity of Life: Animals, Plants, and Microbes (4)
BIOL 22/Molecular and Cellular Biology (4)
CHEM 6 or 6A/Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 7/Principles of Chemistry II (4)
PSYC 3/Behavior and Experience: An Introduction to Psychology (4)
II. Required core courses (12):
BIOL 120/Cell and Molecular Neurobiology (4)
BIOL 121/Systems Neurobiology (4)
PSYC 19/Biological Psychology (4)
III. Complete 2 of the following 6 sequences and 16 credits:
A. CHEM 25 and CHEM 26/Organic Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
B. MATH 3/Introductory Statistics (4) and MATH 27/Intermediate Statistics (4)
C. PSYC 4/Introduction to Psychological Inquiry (2), MATH 3/Introductory Statistics (4), and PSYC 14/Research Methods in Psychology (4)
D. MATH 7 and MATH 8/Calculus and Analytic Geometry I and II (4, 4)
E. PHYS 1/Introductory Physics I or PHYS 11University Physics I and PHYS 2/Introductory Physics II or PHYS 12/University Physics (4, 4)
F. CSCI I/Introduction to Computers and Computing and CSCI 2/Object Oriented Programming (4,4)
IV. Choose 16 credits from following list (at least 2 credits from Neuroscience during the senior year to serve as a capstone experience):
ANTH 25/Primatology (4)
ANTH 125/Psychological Anthropology (4)
ANTH 126/Evolution and Human Behavior (4)
ANTH 127/Human Evolutionary Genetics (4)
BIOL 24/Vertebrate Anatomy & Physiology (4)
BIOL 127/Diseases of the Brain (4)
BIOL 134/Endocrinology (4)
BIOL 142/Developmental Biology (4)
BIOL 156/Molecular Genetics (4)
BIOL 167/Animal Behavior (4)
BIOL 190/Seminar in Biology (when relevant) (2)
BIOL 192/Topics in Biology (when relevant) (2-4)
CHEM 106/Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 117/Biochemistry I (3)
CHEM 118/Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
CHEM 119/Biochemistry II (4)
CSCI 10/Human Interaction with Technology and Information (4)
CSCI 101/Algorithm Analysis and Computability (4)
CSCI 198/Topics in Computer Science (when relevant) (4)
CSCI 199/Independent Study in computer Science (when relevant)
LING 10/Language, Communication and Culture (4)
LING 50/Topics in the Study of Language (2)
MATH 103/Linear Algebra (4)
MATH 104/Differential Equations (4)
MATH 116/Discrete Mathematics (4)
MATH 129/Probability (4)
NEURO 124/Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (2)
NEURO 144/Seminar in Biopsychology (2-4)
NEURO 192/Special Topics in Neuroscience (2-4)
NEURO 195/Independent Study in Neuroscience: Literature Research (2-4)
NEURO 197/Independent Research in Neuroscience: Laboratory Field Research (2-4)
PHIL 104/Problems of Ethics and Meta-Ethics (4)
PHIL 118/Theories of Knowledge (4)
PHIL 122/Philosophy of the Mind (4)
PHYS 14/Electronics (4)
PHYS 105/Electrodynamics (4)
PHYS 123/Advanced Physics Laboratory (4)
PHYS 129/Special Topics in Physics (when relevant) (4)
PSYC 30/Selected Topics in Psychology (when relevant) (2-4)
PSYC 115/Learning and Memory (4)
PSYC 116/Sensation and Perception (4)
PSYC 117/Cognition (4)
PSYC 140/Psychology Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Psychology (when relevant) (1-4)
PSYC 144/Seminar in Biopsychology (when relevant) (2-4)
PSYC 146/Seminar in Learning, Memory, and Cognition (when relevant) (2-4)
Students who intend to pursue graduate study in neurosciences should note that entrance requirements vary considerably from school to school. Neuroscience majors whose interests are biology-oriented should take foundation courses in chemistry, physics, and calculus. Neuroscience majors whose interests are psychology-oriented should take additional courses in psychology and mathematics. Students who are interested in computational neuroscience should take at least three upper-level mathematics or computer science courses. Students who are interested in neurochemistry should take biochemistry and molecular genetics. Neuroscience majors whose interests are in biophysics should combine upper-level physics courses with analytical chemistry. For students interested in medical school, veterinary school, and related areas, Drew's Health Professions Advisory Committee provides curricular guidance and support throughout the application process. Students should consult closely with a major adviser as they develop their individual plans.
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Advanced Placement (AP) examinations
For exemption and credit considerations related to the biology, chemistry, and psychology AP examinations, please see the advice of the relevant departments: biology, chemistry, psychology.
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