The major in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program of 16 courses designed to provide students with an appreciation of diverse approaches to understanding the function of nervous systems, as well as the ability to conduct investigations within a particular subfield of interest.
Students majoring in Neuroscience complete:
- A common core: Includes seven courses and three electives.
- A sequence of four electives determined in consultation with an adviser in Neuroscience, and
- A two-semester or one-semester thesis on a topic related to the four course elective specializations. Students who choose the one-semester thesis option are required to take 5 course electives.
The major provides good preparation for graduate work in biology, neuroscience, and a variety of other programs including medical school or other graduate health professions programs. Admission to particular advanced degree programs may require additional course work.
Program Director
Faculty
Faculty from Claremont McKenna College, Pitzer College, Scripps College, and the W.M. Keck Science Department offer courses in neuroscience, biology, psychology, cognitive science, and philosophy, all of which are components of the interdisciplinary neuroscience major.
Students majoring in Neuroscience complete a common core program, a sequence of four electives determined in consultation with an adviser in Neuroscience, and a one- or two-semester thesis on a topic related to the four-course sequence.
Students interested in the Keck Neuroscience Major should:
- Declare your neuroscience major through your college’s regular registration process.
- Verify how your college’s GE requirements are met with the neuroscience major.
- Select a neuroscience sequence.
Please complete and submit the
Neuroscience Sequence Declaration form:
Neuroscience sequences help students specialize in core areas of neuroscience, including:
- Behavioral Neuroscience | PDF
- Cellular-Molecular Neuroscience | PDF
- Cognitive Neuroscience | PDF
- Computational Neuroscience | PDF
- Motion Science & Functional Anatomy | PDF
- Neuropharmacology | PDF
- Neurophilosophy | PDF
A. Common Core (7 Courses)
- Introductory Biology (two semesters: Biology 43L-44L KS or equivalent)
- Basic Principles of Chemistry (two semesters: Chemistry 14L-15L KS)
- Foundations of Neuroscience (Neuro 95 JT) or equivalent
- Neuroscience 2*: Systems Neuroscience: Neuroscience 149 KS
- Neuroscience 1*: Cellular Molecular Neuroscience: Neuroscience 148L KS
*NEUR 095 is a prerequisite for NEUR 148L KS and NEUR 149 KS
B. Common Core Electives (3 courses): Choose any three courses (0.5 credit labs do not count)
- General Physics: Physics 30L KS, 31L KS, 33 KS or 34KS. Only one semester of physics counts
- Mathematics: Math 31 (Calculus II) or Calculus IIS PO or an approved equivalent course
- Statistics: Biology 175 KS, Psychology 91 PZ, 103 SC or 109 CM or approved equivalent course
- Computer science: Biology 133L KS, CS 5 (Harvey Mudd), MATH042 SC, MATH043 SC, Physics 99L KS or an approved equivalent course
- Research Methods: Psychology 92 PZ, 104/104L SC, 110/111L CM or an approved equivalent course
C. Elective course specialization (4-5 courses depending on thesis)
A coherent grouping of four elective courses to be determined in consultation with an advisor in Neuroscience. Areas in which a student may elect to specialize include, but are not limited to:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
- Clinical Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Neuropharmacology
- Philosophy of Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
Students studying abroad are allowed to use a maximum of two courses towards their elective course specialization. Abroad courses used for the major must be approved by the Neuroscience coordinator.
Neuroscience majors complete a two-semester or one-semester senior thesis on a topic related to the student’s elective course specialization.
- Neuroscience 188L, Senior Research in Neuroscience
- Neuroscience 190L, Senior Thesis in Neuroscience
- Neuroscience 191L* One semester Senior Thesis
*Students who choose the one-semester thesis option are required to take 5 course electives for the elective course specialization.
