Neuroscience - Major

For information, contact Dr. Audrey Ettinger, ajetting@cedarcrest.edu, 610-606-4666, ext 3512

Program Description

The interdisciplinary field of neuroscience is concerned with basic brain function and its relationship to complex processes of behavior and cognition, as well as to the mechanisms of neurological and mental illness. The neuroscience program at Cedar Crest College reflects the multidisciplinary nature of this exciting and growing field and provides a multilevel approach, from molecular mechanisms to the study of the mind. Students complete courses offered by the Biological Sciences, Psychology, Chemical and Physical Sciences, and Math Departments.

Housed within the Department of Biological Sciences, the Neuroscience major is appropriate for students interested in the workings of the nervous system and its relationship to behavior, and those with an interest in human health. It prepares students for admission to graduate and professional programs in neuroscience, medicine, and related health professions fields, as well as for immediate employment in research laboratories. A student completing this course of study will earn a BS degree in Neuroscience, and will have completed the set of courses required by most health professions programs.

Participation in independent research at Cedar Crest is strongly encouraged; many students also complete internships off-campus. Students wishing to complete the thesis option should refer to the thesis requirements listed below. In conjunction with the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience, students majoring in Neuroscience have opportunities to present their research in a professional setting and to participate in service learning experiences.

Neuroscience majors are subject to all policies of the Department of Biological Sciences. Students may not declare multiple majors in any combination of: Biology, Environmental Conservation (B.S. or B.A.), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Integrated Biology, or Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Neuroscience Program is for women to gain understanding and skills relevant to the broad field of neuroscience, including current issues, trends, and questions in the field, within the context of the core concepts of biology. The program's interdisciplinary curriculum provides students with content knowledge across the field, training students to become future leaders in the field. Graduates of the program are qualified to work as scientists, to pursue further graduate training in neuroscience or other scientific fields, or to enter training programs for health professionals.

Total Number of Credits Required by Program
The Neuroscience Major requires 80-82 total credits, distributed as follows:
Biology Core Courses: 20 credits
Neuroscience Core Courses: 14 credits
Neuroscience Electives: 10-12 credits
Cognate Courses (Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, Physics, Math): 36 credits

Program Requirements

Admission and retention in the neuroscience program requires a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0, and no less than a C- in required courses. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in prerequisite courses before proceeding to subsequent courses. Any student who withdraws from a course or earns a grade lower than a C- may repeat the course only one time. Courses transferred in for all majors must be taken less than ten years ago. Attendance at all laboratory sessions is mandatory. An internship in the student’s area of interest is strongly recommended.

Course Requirements

Biology Core Courses (20 credits)
BIO 123 Foundations in Biology 4 credits
BIO 124 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology 4 credits
(Students with Advanced Placement credit for BIO123 and/or 124 are required to take the BIO123 and 124 Labs.)
BIO 239 Animal Ecology, Development and Evolution 4 credits
BIO 231 Genetics 4 credits
BIO 350 Junior Colloquium 2 credits
BIO 356 Science, Ethics and Society 3 credits

Neuroscience Core Courses (14 credits)
BIO 200 Introduction to Neuroscience: Neurons, Systems, and Brains 3 credits
BIO 220 Sensation and Perception: Processing Reality 3 credits
BIO 223 Sensation and Perception Laboratory 1 credit
BIO 330 Drugs and the Brain: Neuropharmacology of Disease and Addiction 3 credits
BIO 340 Advanced Brain Lab: Experimental Approaches to Neuroscience 4 credits

Cognate Courses (36 credits)
BIO 248 Biostatistics 3 credits
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
CHE 205 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHE 206 Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
MAT 141 Calculus I 3 credits
MAT 142 Calculus II 3 credits
PSY 100 General Psychology 3 credits

PHY 101 Introductory College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 102 Introductory College Physics II 4 credits

Neuroscience Elective Courses (10-12 credits)
Choose 3 of the following courses, one of which must include an associated lab.
BIO 217 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 224 Animal Behavior 3 credits
BIO 332 Developmental Biology 3 or 4 credits
BIO 348 Diseases of the Nervous System 3 or 4 credits
CHE 217 Principles of Biochemistry 3 credits
or CHE 307 Biochemistry I 3 or 4 credits
PSY 210 Life-Span Development 3 credits
PSY 309 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
PSY 317 Learning 4 credits
PSY 332 Comparative Animal Behavior 3 credits
PSY 336 Cognitive Psychology 4 credits
While students may choose any of the listed courses for their Neuroscience electives, the following topical lists offer guidance for students with particular interests.

Students interested in Health Professions are strongly encouraged to complete CHE 307 and SOC 100 as part of their undergraduate coursework.

Brain Health and Disease
BIO 348 Diseases of the Nervous System 3 or 4 credits
BIO 217 Anatomy and Physiology 4 credits
BIO 332 Developmental Biology 3 or 4 credits
PSY 309 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits

Brain and Behavior
BIO 224 Animal Behavior 3 credits
PSY 317 Learning 4 credits
PSY 332 Comparative Animal Behavior 3 credits
PSY 336 Cognitive Psychology 3 credits

Molecular Approaches to the Brain
BIO 348 Diseases of the Nervous System 3 or 4 credits
BIO 332 Developmental Biology 3 or 4 credits
CHE 217 Principles of Biochemistry 3 credits
or CHE 307 Biochemistry 3 or 4 credits

Transfer Students
Transfer students majoring in Neuroscience must take the following courses at Cedar Crest College:
BIO 223 Sensation and Perception Laboratory 1 credit
BIO 330 Drugs and the Brain: Neuropharmacology of Disease and Addiction 3 credits
BIO 340 Advanced Brain Lab: Experimental Approaches to Neuroscience 4 credits
BIO 350 Junior Colloquium 2 credits
BIO 356 Science, Ethics and Society 3 credits
It is a general Cedar Crest College policy that a student must complete a minimum of 18 credits of major requirements through Cedar Crest College course work.

Additional course requirements for the Thesis Option

All students, particularly those who are interested in attending graduate school or obtaining a research-based job following graduation, are highly encouraged to participate in independent research, which may culminate in a thesis. The thesis option begins during the student’s junior year as part of Junior Colloquium (BIO 350). Most majors from the Department of Biological Sciences require students to develop a research proposal to investigate an original research question. This experience allows the students to go beyond the basic course information, select a problem that interests them, and apply what they have learned in their coursework to a novel situation. As part of the thesis option, students will spend a minimum of two semesters working with a faculty member to conduct the research outlined in their proposal. They will then develop a written thesis detailing their project and present their final project to the department in the form of a seminar talk or poster. Requirements towards fulfilling the thesis include: a.) two semesters (4 credits) of Independent Research (BIO 353) or b.) two semesters of Independent Research (BIO 243); and one semester of Independent Research (BIO 353), and one semester (1 credit) of Senior Thesis and Presentation (BIO 354) with grades of C- or better.

Liberal Arts Curriculum Requirements fulfilled within the Major

Students fulfill the Technology, Oral Presentation, and Information Literacy requirements through successful completion of the following required courses: BIO 123, 124, 239, 231, 350, and 356. Students also fulfill the Natural Sciences requirement (BIO 123, 124), Mathematics and Logic requirement (MAT 141, 142), Writing-2 requirement (BIO 356) and one Social Sciences course (PSY 100).

Program Outcomes

All Majors within the Department of Biological Sciences have the following three outcomes:

• Students can apply the foundation concepts and principles of the Biological Sciences, including cellular structure and function, genetics and molecular biology, evolution and organismal diversity, and ecology.
• Students can discuss the interaction of science and society, including the ethical practice of science, within the local, national, and global community.
• Students can write about and interpret the methodologies of scientific research.

Neuroscience Major Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate, through recall, recognition, and application, understanding of core concepts and principles of neuroscience, including basic neuroanatomy, signaling within and across neurons, sensory transduction, neuropharmacology, neural circuits, functional neural systems, cognitive neuroscience, and/or experimental methods.
• Students will engage in critical analysis and scientific reasoning through interpretation of primary literature in neuroscience and related fields.