Neuroscience Major
Interdisciplinary Major
The Neuroscience major at Washington College reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the field of neuroscience by integrating the fields of biology, chemistry and psychology to promote a deeper understanding of the brain and its emergent properties. Students will explore the brain at the level of molecules and electrical signals and will extend that knowledge to the networks that create behaviors, memories, and consciousness. They will also apply their knowledge through hands-on laboratory activities in most courses for the major. Courses that deal with the underlying chemical, biochemical, and physiological principles that dictate how neurons function are housed in the Physical Properties of the Nervous System category. Courses that focus on how the networks of neurons in central nervous systems combine to produce behavior, emotions, and self-awareness are housed in the Emergent Properties of the Nervous System category.
Neuroscience Major Requirements
The B.S. in Neuroscience major requires six introductory courses, one core course, six advanced courses (two each in biology, chemistry, and psychology), one quantitative course, and a Neuroscience Senior Capstone Experience for a total of 60 credits. Majors must also complete a Junior Seminar approved by the program director.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Introductory courses 1 | 24 | |
Students are required to take all six courses. Students are also encouraged to take 2 semesters of introductory physics if they intend to pursue a post-bachelor’s degree. | ||
General Biology I with Lab and General Biology I Lab | ||
General Biology II with Lab and General Biology II Lab | ||
Chem Principles Org Molecules with Lab and Chemical Principals Orgnc Molecules Lab | ||
Reactions of Organic Molecules with Lab and Reactions of Organic Molecules Lab | ||
General Psychology | ||
General Psychology | ||
Students must take one of these. | 4 | |
Neurobiology with Lab | ||
Biopsychology with Lab | ||
Select 6 Advanced Courses From Below 2 | 24 | |
The courses must be from three different departments; at least two courses must be from each category; and at least four courses must be at-or-above the 300 level. | ||
Physical Properties of the Nervous System | ||
Cell & Molecular Biology with Lab | ||
Genetics with Lab | ||
Integrative Human Anatomy with Lab | ||
Developmental Biology with Lab | ||
Introduction to Toxicology with Lab 4 | ||
Special Topics | ||
Integrative Human Physiology with Lab | ||
Quantitative Chemical Analysis with Lab | ||
Chem of Biological Compounds with Lab | ||
Biochemistry with Lab 4 | ||
Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry | ||
Special Topics | ||
or NEU 394 | Special Topics | |
On-Campus Guided Research | ||
or NEU 395 | On-Campus Guided Research | |
Emergent Properties of the Nervous System | ||
Behavioral Ecology with Lab | ||
Traditional Psychiatric Disorders | ||
or PSY 234 | Medical and Developmental Disorders | |
Psychopharmacology with Lab | ||
Learning & Appl Behavioral Anal. w/Lab | ||
Cognitive Neuroscience with Lab | ||
Princ of Sensation & Perception w/Lab | ||
Neuroscience Research Methods w/Lab | ||
Special Topics | ||
or NEU 394 | Special Topics | |
On-Campus Guided Research | ||
or NEU 395 | On-Campus Guided Research | |
Select a Quantitative Courses From Below 3 | 4 | |
Statistical Inference & Data Analysis I | ||
Statistics & Research Design I with Lab | ||
Junior Seminar | 0-2 | |
Neuroscience Junior Seminar (2 credits) | ||
or BIO 392 | Biology Junior Seminar | |
or CHE 392 | Junior Seminar | |
or PSY 399 | Junior Seminar | |
Senior Capstone Experience (NEU SCE) | 2-4 | |
Total Credits | 58-62 |
- 1
Students are required to take all six courses. Students are encouraged to take 2 semesters of Introductory Physics if they intend to pursue a graduate degree.
- 2
The courses must be from three different departments; at least two courses must be from each category; and at least four courses must be at-or-above the 300 level.
- 3
Students are also encouraged to take PSY 309 Statistics & Research Design II With Lab.
- 4
BIO 205 Cell & Molecular Biology with Lab is a pre-requisite.
Course Recommendations
Science students are highly encouraged to take Computer Science (CSI) courses to augment their undergraduate education. Especially recommended are a basic computing course such as CSI 100 Basics of Computing CSI 100 Basics of Computing , and valuable foundational courses such as CSI 111 Computer Science I CSI 111 Computer Science I and CSI 220 Data Science CSI 220 Data Science. Students interested in applying to graduate neuroscience programs, medical, health science, or veterinary schools should choose CHE 220 Quantitative Chemical Analysis with Lab CHE 220 Quantitatve Chemical Analysis with Lab and CHE 309 Biochemistry with Lab CHE 309 Biochemistry with Lab/BIO 409 Biochemistry with Lab as two of their electives within the Neuroscience major and should also take Calculus and General Physics courses. Students interested in such programs should consult with the Pre-Med advisor and their Neuroscience major advisor.
College-wide Writing Program
Students must complete the college-wide writing distribution requirement. Currently, this is accomplished through successful completion of four courses. The W1 course can be fulfilled through a First Year Seminar (FYS 101 First-Year Seminar). The W2 requirement can be fulfilled through General Biology II (BIO 112 General Biology II with Lab). The W3 requirement can be fulfilled through a selection of designated courses offered by the departments of biology, chemistry, and psychology such as Integrative Human Physiology (BIO 424 Integrative Human Physiology with Lab), or Statistics and Research Design II (PSY 309 Statistics & Research Design II With Lab). The W4 requirement is fulfilled through successful completion of a Senior Capstone Experience (NEU SCE Senior Capstone Experience).
Internship and Research Opportunities
Neuroscience majors are strongly encouraged to participate in internships during their undergraduate education. These experiences afford students the opportunity to enhance their understanding of neuroscience concepts, gain additional laboratory experience, and/or network with other scientists and professionals. Internships may be located on or off-campus and may occur at any point during the academic year. Students wishing to earn course credit for an internship must gain approval from the Neuroscience program director prior to beginning the internship. Several stipend-bearing internships and research opportunities exist for neuroscience majors. Summer on-campus research projects as well as summer and semester-long off-campus internships not only provide additional laboratory experience, but also allow students the opportunity to explore areas of neuroscience not covered in-depth by the core curriculum. Off-campus and on- campus internships may or may not bear credit.
Advanced Placement Credit
Students should consult either the Biology, Chemistry, or Psychology Department catalog section to determine if Advanced Placement or IB credit will transfer.
Transfer Credit
Students are instructed to consult either the Biology, Chemistry, or Psychology Department catalog section to determine the policy on transfer credit.
Neuroscience Major Four-Year Plan
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIO 111 & BIO 113 | 4 | BIO 311 | 4 |
CHE 120 (CHE 122) | 4 | CHE 140 & CHE 142 | 4 |
PSY 111 | 4 | PSY 112 | 4 |
FYS 101 | 4 | General Ed Course | 4 |
16 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIO, CHE, NEU Physical Properties | 4 | BIO, NEU, PSY Emergent Prop. Elec. | 4 |
MAT 109 | 4 | General Ed Course | 4 |
General Ed Course | 4 | General Ed Course | 4 |
General Ed Course | 4 | Elective Course | 4 |
16 | 16 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIO, CHE, NEU Physical Properties Elective | 4 | BIO, NEU, PSY Emergent Prop. Elec. | 4 |
BIO 311 or PSY 210 | 4 | General Ed Course | 4 |
General Ed Course | 4 | General Ed Course | 4 |
Elective Course | 4 | Elective Course | 4 |
16 | 16 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIO, CHE, NEU Physical Properties Elective | 4 | BIO, CHE, NEU Physical Prop. Elec. | 4 |
Elective Course | 4 | Elective Course | 4 |
Elective Course | 4 | Elective Course | 4 |
Elective Course | 4 | NEU SCE | 4 |
16 | 16 | ||
Total Credits 128 |
Mala Misra, Director
Biology Faculty Members
Aaron Krochmal
Jennie Rinehimer
Chemistry Faculty Members
Jeremy Bard, Advisory Board Member
Leslie Sherman
Psychology Faculty Members
Cindy Gibson, Advisory Board Member (Spring 2025)
Daniel Kochli, Interim Advisory Board Member (Fall 2024)
Audrey Weil