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.

Research Opportunities

One area of strength in Drew’s neuroscience program is its employment of 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.

All members of the Neuroscience Program have active research programs and work with students on research projects throughout the year.