Neuroscience

Our Neuroscience major is a gateway to understanding the brain and behavior. Through a blend of scientific inquiry and interdisciplinary exploration, we equip you with tools to explore the brain and its functions. 

two neuroscience researchers conduct a test.

About Our Neuroscience Program

  • Pitzer’s Neuroscience major is an interdisciplinary program of 16 courses designed to provide you with an appreciation of the diverse approaches to studying the nervous system. 
  • Our interdisciplinary approach gives our students an edge. While many other science programs focus solely on the subject at hand, your interdisciplinary coursework will enable you to make connections to other fields of study.  
  • You will declare and immerse yourself in a specialization of the field. Choose from Behavioral Neuroscience, Cellular-Molecular Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Neuroscience, Motion Science & Functional Anatomy, Neuropharmacology, or Neurophilosophy.  
  • Pitzer’s Neuroscience program is part of the Department of Natural Sciences, in partnership with Scripps College. At our shared cutting-edge facility, the Nucleus, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art research labs, advanced instrumentation, and other leading technologies as you conduct your research. 
     

At a Glance

Degree Awarded

  • Bachelor of Arts

Field Group

Neuroscience (Department of Natural Sciences)

Program Type

Area of Study

This program is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences

Neuroscience & Our Values

Pitzer’s core values are woven throughout all of our academic programs. Learn how our Neuroscience program specifically addresses interdisciplinary learning.

Interdisciplinary Learning

“Scientific literacy and evidence-based decision-making skills are particularly powerful within the context of a liberal arts education, where our students gain experience in STEM and in the humanities.”

Tessa Solomon-Lane

Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, Department of Natural Sciences

16 Interdisciplinary Courses

Pitzer’s core Neuroscience curriculum is built to be interdisciplinary to help students grasp how different fields understand the brain.

4 Disciplines Represented

In addition to expert Neuroscience faculty, you will learn from professors in the fields of Psychology, Philosophy, and Biology.

two students sit back to back while they study on the mounds

Get Involved

A student writes notes in a lab run by Pitzer's Department of Natural Sciences

Research Opportunities

As a Neuroscience major, a variety of competitive research opportunities, fellowships, and internships are open to you.

Explore Research Opportunities
Pitzer's brand-new science building, Nucleus West

Resources

Pitzer’s Neuroscience program is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences, a joint department that serves students from Pitzer and Scripps College. The department has 50+ full-time faculty and places an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and research. 

Department of Natural Sciences Site

Neuroscience Program Details

View Course Catalog

What You Will Learn

  1. How to use foundational neuroscience principles and how to apply them to real-life problems found in nature.
  2. How to develop your own hypothesis and design experiments to test them.
  3. How to demonstrate and articulate the ways science is applied in the modern world.
  4. How to write and speak effectively about scientific concepts and critically evaluate published scientific literature. 

Learn More

Visit the Department of Natural Sciences website for more information and resources. 

Department of Natural Sciences

Required Coursework

Common core 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.

  • Introductory Biology: BIOL 043L KS – Introductory Biology (Fall) and BIOL 044L KS – Introductory Biology (spring) or equivalent
  • Basic Principles of Chemistry: CHEM 014L KS – Basic Principles of Chemistry (fall) and CHEM 015L KS – Basic Principles of Chemistry (spring) or an equivalent
  • Introductory Neuroscience: NEUR 095 JT – Foundations of Neuroscience or an equivalent
  • Neuroscience 1: NEUR 148L KS – Cellular Molecular Neuroscience
  • Neuroscience 2: NEUR 149 KS – Systems Neuroscience

Common core electives

In addition to the common core Neuroscience courses, all Neuroscience students take three elective courses from the list below.

  • 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: MATH 031 PZ – Calculus II or an approved equivalent course
  • Computer Science: Choose any of the following courses. Students can also consult with an advisor to find an approved equivalent course.
    • NEUR 133L KS – Introduction to Computational Neuroscience
    • CSCI 005 HM – Introduction to Computer Science
    • MATH 042 SC – Introduction to Python and Data Analysis
  • 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)
    • PSYC 110 CM – Research Methods
    • PSYC 11L CM – Research Methods Practicum

Elective course specializations

During their time at Pitzer, all Neuroscience students work with their faculty advisor to construct a four- or five-course curriculum in a particular area of specialization. For more information on Neuroscience specializations, see our course catalog.

Senior thesis

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).

Learn More

For more information on course requirements for the Neuroscience major, visit Pitzer's academic catalog.

View the Catalog

Neuroscience Faculty

No profile image for Gautam Agarwal

Gautam Agarwal

  • Asst. Prof. of Neuroscience
portrait of thomas borowski

Thomas Borowski

  • Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
  • Neuroscience Field Group
  • Psychology Field Group
portrait of Darin Brown

Darin R. Brown

  • Assistant Professor of Psychology
  • Psychology Field Group
No profile image for Melissa Coleman

Melissa Coleman

  • Professor of Neuroscience
No profile image for Timothy Justus

Timothy Justus

  • Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science
  • Psychology Field Group
  • Cognitive Science Field Group
Professor Brian Keeley

Brian L. Keeley

  • Professor of Philosophy
  • Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Science, Technology & Society Field Groups
  • IRB Chair
No profile image for Jenna Monroy

Jenna Monroy

  • Associate Professor of Biology
No profile image for Tessa Solomon-Lane

Tessa Solomon-Lane

  • Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
No profile image for Sandra Watson

Sandra Watson

  • Assistant Professor of Neuroscience

Contact Us

portrait of thomas borowski
Thomas Borowski
  • Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
  • Neuroscience Field Group
  • Psychology Field Group

Broad Hall 104

Contact Professor

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