Mar 28, 2024  
2016 Undergraduate Catalog 1.2 (SUMMER - FALL) 
    
2016 Undergraduate Catalog 1.2 (SUMMER - FALL) [ARCHIVED CATALOG - Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Neuroscience (B.S.)


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(Bachelor of Science Degree)

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system. It includes study and research related to the structure (anatomy), function (neuropharmacology, electrophysiology, synaptic physiology, molecular/cellular biology, psychophysics), evolution, and development of nervous systems of a wide variety of animals, broadly organized as sensory (input/afferent) systems, processing systems, and motor (output/efferent) systems.

The major in neuroscience provides opportunities in many areas, including preprofessional preparation (preparing for medical school, dental school, veterinary school, or other allied health training), pre-graduate preparation (preparing for further training as a neuroscientist or scientist in a related field), or direct entry into the research field, either academic or private.

Total credit hours required for the degree: 128

Learning Objectives

Students graduating with a degree in Neuroscience will:

  • integrate understanding of the nervous system at the cellular/molecular level (e.g., synaptic function, membrane potentials) with the organismal level (e.g., processing in cortical areas of the brain, behavior)
  • understand the three essential functions of the nervous system (input, processing, output) at the level of cells, systems, and the organism
  • understand the similarities and differences of nervous systems across taxa and relate those differences to selective pressures
  • demonstrate critical thinking skills in the process of scientific inquiry and the development of experimental design in the study of neuroscience;
  • be familiar with and use primary literature in the field of neuroscience;
  • be able to analyze and present scientific data using statistical inference and statistical software;
  • have skills in oral and scientific presentation of experimental design and data; and
  • perform activities that promote and nurture scholarship and skills for life-long learning.

Academic Requirements


See Core  section of this catalog.

Core: 34 - 55 Credit Hours


Major Course Requirements


Capstone Experience (select one)


24 Credit Hours


Total Hours Required in Major: 75-78


Note:


* Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in BIO 211  before enrolling in any subsequent course with a Biology prefix that is required for the major.
† Students are highly encouraged to take MAT 201  and MAT 202  so that students are able to take PHY 261  and PHY 262 , although this is not a requirement for the major.

Electives


The student most complete sufficient elective courses to earn at least the minimum credit hours for this degree and at least 64 of the 128 hours required must be in the liberal arts and sciences.

Honors in Neuroscience:


In order to be considered for Honors in Neuroscience, the following requirements must be satisfied.

  1. The student must have a GPA of at least 3.4 in all Biology, Psychology, and Neuroscience courses taken at Utica College and an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
  2. The student must take NEU 450  and present their findings at the Annual Undergraduate Research Conference (or similar venue).
  3. The Psychology and Biology faculty will evaluate the student’s credentials and then select those who shall receive Honors. The student’s participation in departmental activities will also be considered.

For those students selected, the transcript will read: Bachelor of Science with Honors in Neuroscience.

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