Neuroscience Minor
Neuroscience is the interdisciplinary study of the brain, nervous system, and behavior. It combines approaches from fields such as biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, and computer science to understand how nerve cells and neural circuits develop, communicate, and give rise to thought, emotion, perception, and action. Neuroscience also examines how disorders of the nervous system affect functioning and explores treatments to improve health and well-being. Students pursuing the minor will gain an understanding of how neural systems support other body systems, cognition and behavior, as well as how disruptions in these systems contribute to neurological and psychiatric disorders.
The neuroscience minor is particularly valuable for students majoring in Psychology, Biology, or related fields who are interested in careers or graduate study in neuroscience, medicine, cognitive science, or allied health professions.
By completing the Neuroscience minor, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the structure and function of the nervous system.
2. Apply core neuroscience principles to interpret experimental findings and real-world phenomena.
3. Analyze and interpret scientific data using appropriate statistical and computational tools.
4. Communicate neuroscience-related concepts and findings effectively in written and/or oral formats.
5. Articulate ethical and philosophical considerations related to neuroscience and its applications.
Degree Requirements
A minor in Neuroscience is available for students majoring in other disciplines who seek to integrate knowledge of the brain, cognition, and behavior with their primary discipline and to enhance potential employment opportunities.
Note: No more than two courses can count both in the Neuroscience minor and a student’s major (including the major’s collateral courses).
Required Core Courses
| BIO 325 | Neurobiology | 1 Course Credit |
| PSY 212 | Behavioral Neuroscience w/ Lab | 1 Course Credit |
A grade of C or higher is required in both core courses.
Distribution Courses
Two (2) distribution courses must be at the 100-200 level and two (2) distribution courses must be at the 300-400 level.
Data Analytics or Programming Course
One (1)
| BIO 225 | Biostatistics | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 475 | Introductory Bioinformatics | 1 Course Credit |
| CSC 123 | Introduction to Data Science | 1 Course Credit |
| CSC 226 | Software Design & Implement | 1 Course Credit |
| CSC 301 | Human-Centered Computing | 1 Course Credit |
| ECO 250/HHP 264/MAT 438 | Applied Statistics | 1 Course Credit |
| PSY 225 | Stats & Rsrch Meth-Behav Sci | 1 Course Credit |
Science Courses
Two (2) science courses
| BIO 222 | Microbiology w/Immunology | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 323 | Principles of Physiology | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 441 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 1 Course Credit |
| CHM 340/CHM 345 | Biochemistry I | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 340 | Biophysics | 1 Course Credit |
| PSY 208 | Cognitive Psychology with Lab | 1 Course Credit |
| PSY 218 | Sensation & Perception | 1 Course Credit |
| PSY 244 | Developmental Psych with Lab | 1 Course Credit |
Non-Science Course
One (1) course outside of the sciences.
| PHI 115 | Mind, Language, and World | 1 Course Credit |
| PHI 201 | AI, Ethics, and You | 1 Course Credit |
| PHI 218 | Symbolic Logic | 1 Course Credit |
| PHI 225 | Medical Ethics | 1 Course Credit |
Course Substitutions may be approved with the permission of the Department Chair.