Requirements for a Major or Minor in Neuroscience


An Interdisciplinary Program

Programs offered
• Minor in Neuroscience (30 credits)

Faculty
Julie R. Mach, program director
Mikel L. Olson
Susan J. Larson
Krystle D. Strand
Michael C. Mangini
Darin J. Ulness

Neuroscience is a broad and diverse field at the frontier of science today. The goal of neuroscience is to understand how the brain and nervous system acquire, process and integrate information from the environment and how this information brings about behavior of the organism. Neuroscience is truly an integrative discipline in which chemistry, biology, psychology, physics and mathematics all provide us with insight into how the nervous system functions from the basic molecular processes to the sophisticated behavior of higher organisms. The neuroscience program at Concordia is unique in its emphasis on the physical basis of neuroscience, especially chemistry. The molecular level approach is integrated with the more traditional systemwide and behavioral emphasis. The neuroscience minor would therefore nicely complement any major in the above-mentioned disciplines.

Students who have completed the neuroscience minor will be able to:
• understand the nature of science – its methods of inquiry, social practice and particular viewpoints
• describe and apply facts, concepts and theories of neuroscience
• think critically about neuroscience research, theory and topics and will be familiar with the literature in the field
• utilize laboratory skills that provide a foundation for answering research questions in the field of neuroscience
• integrate material from several disciplines in their study of neuroscience and they will understand that problem solving involves the use of many disciplinary perspectives

Minor in Neuroscience
The requirements for a minor in neuroscience are 30 credits:
• NEU 109 – Introduction to Neuroscience, 4 credits
• NEU 400, BIOL 400 – Neurobiology, 4 credits OR
PSYC 319 – Behavioral Neuroscience, 4 credits
• NEU 475, CHEM 475 – Neurochemistry, 4 credits OR
PSYC 324 – Drugs and Behavior, 4 credits
• NEU 406 – Senior Seminar, 2 credits
• 4 additional credits; at least one course from the following:
– NEU 252 – Physical Neuroscience, 4 credits
118 NEUROSCIENCE
– NEU 328, PSYC 328 – Human Neuropsychology, 4 credits
– NEU 380 – Special Topics, 1 to 4 credits
– NEU 475, CHEM 475 – Neurochemistry, 4 credits
• 4 additional credits; at least one course from the following:
– BIOL 306 – Human Anatomy and Physiology, 4 credits
– BIOL 350 – Animal Behavior, 4 credits
– BIOL 406 – Advanced Cell Biology, 4 credits
– BIOL 412 – Integrated Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 credits
– BIOL 416 – Advanced Topics In Genetics, 4 credits
– CHEM 373 – Biochemistry I, 4 credits
– CHEM 374 – Biochemistry II, 4 credits
– NEU 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits
– NEU 490 – Directed Research, 1 to 4 credits
– PSYC 318 – Learning and Behavior, 4 credits
– PSYC 319 – Behavioral Neuroscience, 4 credits
– PSYC 323 – Perception, 2 credits
– PSYC 324 – Drugs and Behavior, 4 credits
– PSYC 357 – Abnormal Psychology, 4 credits
– PSYC 361 – Cognition Psychology, 4 credits
• Required supporting courses, 8 credits:
– BIOL 101 – General Biology, 4 credits OR
BIOL 121 – Cell Biology, 4 credits AND
– CHEM 142 – Survey of Organic and Biochemistry, 4 credits OR
CHEM 373 – Biochemistry, 4 credits