Neuroscience Minor
The Neuroscience minor is intended to offer students in-depth training in brain-behavior relations and biological aspects of psychology. Neuroscience explores new discoveries and insights in dynamic areas such as the neurological origins of consciousness, emotion, and psychopathology. This minor is especially helpful for psychology students preparing for graduate school and for students planning to enter the medical fields who have an interest in brain-behavior relationships. This minor can be combined with any major and minor except the Neuroscience major. A minimum of 9 credits must be exclusive to the minor and cannot be counted toward any other majors/minors/certificate programs.
Neuroscience Minor Requirements
(17 credits)
NEUR 2500 - Introduction to Neuroscience (4 credits)
This course highlights the biological structures and functions of the brain and nervous system and introduces the fundamental concepts in neuroscience and research methods used by behavioral neuroscientists. Concepts range from cellular to behavioral aspects of neuroscience.
NEUR 2600 - Introduction to Neuroanatomy (3 credits)
This course will introduce students to structural, functional, and developmental features of the human nervous system. After each major structure, system, or anatomical pathway is presented, a clinical component will emphasize normal function and dysfunction resulting from injury or disease. Clinical cases will be presented to reinforce the relationship between structure and function. Prerequisite: NEUR 2500.
NEUR 2700 - Research Methods and Data Analysis in Behavioral Neuroscience (4 credits)
This course will introduce students to a wide range of research strategies and methods being used by behavioral neuroscientists. The course will focus on modern, common techniques used in hypothesis-driven research to collect scientifically relevant and publishable data. Examples from various areas of inquiry (e.g., learning and memory, sleep, etc.) will be used to illustrate both applications and limitations of these techniques. Prerequisite: NEUR 2500.
NEUR 3000 - Behavioral Genetics (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of the role of genes in animal (primarily human) behavior. Topics covered include population genetics and quantitative genetics of behavior, the molecular biology of gene discovery, and the evolution of behavioral traits. Methods and research techniques in behavioral genetics will also be covered ranging from twin and adoption studies to molecular techniques. Prerequisite: NEUR 2500.
Select 3 credits from the following courses:
PSYC 3900 - Neuropsychology (3 credits)
This course will introduce students to higher cognitive functioning including language, memory and executive functioning. Neurological syndromes associated with damage to specific brain areas will be discussed along with their behavioral manifestations. Additionally, cerebral asymmetry and sex differences in brain organization will be introduced. This course will conclude with a review of neuropsychological instruments. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or 1020H.
PSYC 3920 - Sensation and Perception (3 credits)
This class will cover the fundamentals of the sensory world, such as taste, touch, vision, hearing and extrasensory phenomenon. Students in sensation and perception will explore the value of each sense in the perceptual world and will be encouraged to consider what life would be like without each sense. Perceptual illusions will be employed in order to encourage students to delve into the neural underpinnings of sensory perception. Through studying the pathways from sensations to perceptions, students will gain an appreciation of the fragility of perceptions. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or 1020H.
PSYC 4300 - Psychophysiology (3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of psychophysiology, with a focus on human psychophysiology and physiological measures of emotion and cognition. Students in this course will examine the theory of psychophysiology as well as common psychophysiological techniques. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or 1020H.
PSYC 4400 - Hormones and Behavior (3 credits)
Students in Hormones and Behavior will develop an understanding of the many topics related to behavioral endocrinology. This course will review the interrelationships among the major classes of hormones, brain and behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or 1020H.