Neuroscience

Introduction

This interdisciplinary field focuses on both the normal and abnormal structure and function of the nervous system. The neuroscience major at Dickinson College will provide students with fundamental training in the scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry, and psychology. In addition, the integrative aspect of the two introductory neuroscience courses, placed within psychology and biology, demonstrates to the student the interconnectedness of these two sciences. Upper division courses allow the student to bring research skills to bear in the laboratory, to integrate skill and knowledge gained in the introductory courses. The elective requirements allow the student to explore the many facets of neuroscience, and the student can choose to focus on molecular or molar approaches to neuroscience; can choose to emphasize biology, chemistry or psychology in the neuroscience major; or can explore the ways other fields, such as anthropology, philosophy or sociology, intersect with neuroscience. Finally, a research experience allows the student to “engage the world” by bringing to bear her knowledge and skills on a research question of her own choosing.

Advice to Students New to the Department

The appropriate sections of this handbook and the College Bulletin should be consulted for information regarding individual courses, advanced placement, courses that fulfill distribution requirements, and so on. It is strongly recommended that any student considering this major should seek advice from one of the contributing faculty as early as possible. Students with adequate preparation should begin by taking both the introductory biology and psychology sequences during the first year in addition to starting the chemistry sequence.

A student who starts the major in the first year will have more options for advanced study during the senior year. As can be seen below, it is possible for a student, starting in the sciences, to take the majority of neuroscience courses during the sophomore and junior year. It is also possible for a student to start the major in the sophomore year and still complete the major.

Example A. Starting as a First-year student

This is the most likely pathway of a student committed to the behavioral science program, including those students interested in psychology, biology, or chemistry, with a pre-health emphasis.

FALL	SPRING
Biology 124 Chemistry 141	Psychology 125 Chemistry 241
Chemistry 242 Psychology 325	Biology 330 Psychology 300 level (choice)
Psychology 325 (if not taken earlier) Biology 300 level (choice) Elective	Biology 330 (if not taken earlier) Elective
Neuroscience Seminar Elective (if not taken earlier) Biology (if not taken earlier) Psychology (if not taken earlier)	Neuroscience Seminar (if not taken earlier) Elective (if not taken earlier) Biology (if not taken earlier) Psychology (if not taken earlier)

Example B. Starting as a First-year student in science, but not neuroscience

This pathway is for students without a strong interest in neuroscience, but an interest in science. For example, the student might have an interest in pre-health curriculum and start their required pre-health curriculum but no other science course. Here the student would start the majority of their neuroscience major as a sophomore.

FALL	SPRING
Chemistry 141	Chemistry 241
Biology 124 Chemistry 242 (If Chem taken in first year) Chemistry 141 (if not taken earlier)	Psychology 125 Chemistry 241 (if not taken earlier)
Elective Biology 300 level (choice) Chemistry 242 (if not taken earlier)	Biology 330 Psychology 325 Elective
Psychology 300 level (choice) Neuroscience Seminar Elective (if not taken earlier) Biology (if not taken above)	Neuroscience Seminar (if not taken earlier) Elective (if not taken earlier) Biology (if not taken above)

Example C. Starting as a Sophomore

This pathway is for students who did not take any neuroscience courses during their first year. This would require the student to spend more of the junior year in introductory courses than a student who started earlier, but would still allow them time to finish the major before the end of their senior year.

FALL	SPRING
No science courses	No science courses
Biology 124 Chemistry 141	Psychology 125 Chemistry 241
Chemistry 242 Elective	Biology 330 Elective
Psychology 300 level (choice) Biology 300 level (choice) Neuroscience Seminar Elective (if not taken earlier)	Psychology 325 Elective (if not taken earlier) Neuroscience Seminar (if not taken earlier) Biology 330 (if not taken earlier)

Major

Requirements for the Major

All required courses are current offerings in the Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology departments. Requirements for the major are listed in the College Bulletin (http://www.dickinson.edu/bulletin/neuroscience.html). Students are advised to read course descriptions carefully to identify prerequisites. Those wishing to declare a major should contact one of the contributing faculty through e-mail: Professors Barber, Crouch, Pires, Zwemer, Higgins, and Rauhut.

Research Requirement

All students majoring in neuroscience are required to participate in a research experience. This may be done in a number of ways, including an independent research project, a summer research project with a Dickinson faculty, an approved off-campus internship with a significant research component, or a research experience not covered by the above but deemed equivalent by the contributing faculty.

Opportunities for Off-Campus Study

In addition to off-campus internships, it is possible for majors to spend a semester or year abroad. The most likely sites for this would be the Dickinson Science Program at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, or the Dickinson Science Program in Brisbane, Australia at the University of Queensland. Again, very careful planning well in advance of the junior year is required.

Careers: The neuroscience major will provide our students with rigorous training in neuroscience, advanced opportunities for research, and integrated mentoring and advising of students as preparation for graduate or professional study in neuroscience, biology, chemistry, psychology, medicine and other related fields. Students graduating with a major in neuroscience will be competitive for entry-level positions in corporate or academic laboratories.

Further Information

Inquiries are welcomed from students or faculty who wish additional information about the neuroscience program. Please contact the Prof. Teresa A. Barber (x1641or e-mail barber@dickinson.edu)

or any of the contributing faculty.

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Updated 6/22/05