Neuroscience is the interdisciplinary study of the relationship between the brain, the mind, and behavior. It is available as a minor at Gettysburg College. Oversight for the Neuroscience minor is provided jointly by the Biology and Psychology departments although any student can minor in Neuroscience.
With the minor, students have the opportunity to gain expertise in the various aspects of neuroscience while pursuing a major in Biology, Psychology or another course of study.
- The interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience is reflected in the courses that comprise the minor. These include offerings in biology, chemistry, health sciences, philosophy, physics, and psychology.
- The minor not only prepares students for graduate study in neuroscience, but provides tools for graduate work in other areas of biology and psychology, as well as medical school.
Requirements
The neuroscience minor consists of four core courses and two electives.
- The core courses provide an introduction to neurobiology, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and an exploration of animal behavior and evolution.
- The electives may be selected from a variety of courses, allowing students to focus their studies on a particular aspect of neuroscience.
Students intending to go to graduate school in a field of neuroscience are strongly encouraged to complete an independent empirical research project with a neuroscience emphasis in their major discipline, as well.
Courses
Core Courses
- Psychology 236 Introduction to Brain and Behavior
- Psychology 238 Cognitive Neuroscience
- Biology 225 Animal Behavior
- Biology 335 Neurobiology
Electives
(Two courses from the following:)
- Biology 211 Genetics
- Biology 212 Cell Biology
- Biology 227 Invertebrate Zoology
- Biology 334 Biochemistry
- Biology 340 Comparative Animal Physiology
- Biology 351 Molecular Genetics
- Chemistry 203 Organic Chemistry
- Chemistry 204 Organic Chemistry
- Chemistry 334 Biochemistry
- HS 209 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HS 311 Neuromuscular Physiology
- Philosophy 131 Bioethics
- Philosophy 221 Philosophy of Mind
- Physics 240 Electronics
- Psychology 215 Human Cognition
- Psychology 216 Sensation and Perception
- Psychology 237 Psychopharmacology
- Psychology 336 Behavioral Neuroscience
- Psychology 338 Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience
About the Electives
It's important to note that there are restrictions as to which electives can be used towards the neuroscience minor.
- For Biology and Psychology majors: Courses taken within the major discipline -- or which otherwise satisfy a major requirement -- may not be used as electives towards the minor.
- Any other majors may use any of the above elective courses towards the minor, with no restrictions.
Students should tailor choices of electives to their specific interests in consultation with one of the coordinators of the neuroscience minor.