Required Coursework
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 5 courses)
- Common core electives (includes 4 courses from at least three categories)
- A sequence of 4–5 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. All courses for the neuroscience major must be taken as a letter grade.
Common Core (5 Courses)
All Neuroscience students take the classes listed below. NEUR 095 JT should be taken early, as it is a prerequisite for the other two Neuroscience courses in the common core.
- BIOL 043L KS — Introductory Biology (Fall) or equivalent
- CHEM 014L KS — Basic Principles of Chemistry (Fall) or equivalent
- NEUR 095 JT — Foundations of Neuroscience or equivalent
- NEUR 149 KS — Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience
- NEUR 148L KS — Cellular Molecular Neuroscience
Common Core Electives (4 Courses)
Choose any four courses from at least three of the following categories (0.5 credit labs do not count):
- Introduction to Chemistry: CHEM 015L KS — Basic Principles of Chemistry (Spring)
- Introductory Biology or Psychology: Choose any of the following courses or an approved equivalent course:
- BIOL 044L KS — Introductory Biology
- PSYC 010 PZ — Introduction to Psychology
- PSYC 052 SC — Introduction to Psychology
- General Physics for the Life Sciences: Only one semester of courses from the list below will count toward the elective requirement.
- PHYS 030L KS — General Physics for the Life Sciences (fall)
- PHYS 031L KS — General Physics for the Life Sciences (spring)
- PHYS 033L KS — Principles of Physics (fall)
- PHYS 034L KS — Principles of Physics (spring)
- Mathematics: Take any of the following courses:
- MATH 031 PZ — Calculus II or an approved equivalent course
- MATH 032 PZ — Calculus III
- MATH 060 PZ — Linear Algebra
- Statistics: Take any of the following courses or an approved equivalent course:
- BIOL 175 KS — Applied Biostatistics
- PSYC 103 SC — Psychological Statistics
- PSYC 091 PZ — Psychological Statistics
- Computer Science: Choose any of the following courses. Students can also consult with an advisor to find an approved equivalent course.
- CSCI 004 or 005 HM – Introduction to Computer Science
- CSCI 036 CM — Foundations of Data Science
- DS 001 SC — Computer Programming
- DS 002 SC — Foundations of Data Science
- NEUR 099 KS — Introduction to Python
- Research Methods: Choose any of the following courses. Students can also consult with their advisor to find an approved equivalent course.
- PSYC 092 PZ – Research Methods
- PSYC 104 SC – Research Design in Psychology
- PSYC 104L SC – Research Design in Psychology (Lab)
Elective Course Specializations (4-5 Courses)
During their time at Pitzer, all Neuroscience students select a coherent grouping of 4–5 elective courses in consultation with an advisor in neuroscience. Students may elect to specialize in areas including:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience/Neuropharmacology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Neuroscience
For more information on elective specializations, including information on self-designing a specialization and using study abroad courses toward your specialization, view the course catalog.
Senior Thesis (1 or 2 Courses)
All Neuroscience majors complete a one– or two–semester senior thesis on a topic related to their specialization. The thesis requirement is fulfilled by the following options:
- One-Semester Thesis: NEUR 191 KS – One-Semester Senior Thesis (if you pursue this option, you are required to complete five courses in your area of specialization)
- Two-Semester Thesis: NEUR 188L KS – Senior Research in Neuroscience (First Semester) and NEUR 190L KS – Senior Research in Neuroscience (Second Semester).
