Neuroscience and Behavior

Undergraduate

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, which can be approached at many levels—from molecules and cells to organisms and their behavior.

A student using a microscope in a neuroscience lab

Program Overview

The interdisciplinary major in neuroscience and behavior is designed for students with integrative interests in biological and psychological science and a passion for scientific exploration.

In addition to our core introductory and intermediate courses in neuroscience, course requirements will provide you with a solid background in both the current findings and modern techniques of biology, chemistry, and psychology, while course electives allow you to explore questions about the nervous system and behavior in greater depth. In keeping with the field as a whole, you may be able to conduct independent research as early as your sophomore year.

Community Voices

Spotlight on Neuroscience and Behavior students and alums

Mao Yasueda ’24

she/her

Shanthini Ragoonaden ’24

she/her

Lingdang Zhang ’24

she/her

Courses and Requirements

Introduction to Neuroscience (NSB 100) is the gateway to the Neuroscience and Behavior major and should be taken if you are considering this option. Additionally, completing Biology 200 as well as Chemistry 150/160 by the end of your second year will position you well for completing the major. The course flowchart may be helpful as you plan your course of study.

Learning Goals

1. Components of the Nervous System

Learn the underlying developmental, physiological, anatomical, and functional components of the nervous system, including an understanding of their evolutionary origins, and link the electrochemical behavior of nerve cells and synapses, sensorimotor processes, and circuit-level processes to cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

2. Biological and Chemical Foundations

Understand the fundamental molecular, chemical, genetic, and cellular components of the natural world and practice basic biology and chemistry laboratory techniques for measuring these phenomena.

3. Research Design and Data Analysis

Develop experimental design, quantitative reasoning, and technical skills to ethically design, implement, analyze, and communicate original research questions in the natural and behavioral sciences.

4. Experimentation and Evaluation of Primary Literature

Analyze and critique primary literature leading to the construction of novel hypotheses, and design relevant laboratory-based and field experiments using various neuroscience-specific techniques.

5. Becoming a Citizen Scientist

Develop communication and collaboration skills aimed at becoming an ethically responsible and inclusive member of the scientific community. This includes cultivating effective communication skills in oral, written, and visual formats, in addition to working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in group settings.

Requirements for the Major

A minimum of 48 credits:

Required Core Curriculum
NEURO-100Introduction to Neuroscience and Behavior4
CHEM-150General Chemistry: Foundations4
or CHEM-160 Integrated Introduction to Biology and Chemistry
CHEM-202Organic Chemistry I4
NEURO-221Research Techniques in Neuroscience4
PSYCH-204Research Methods in Psychology4
NEURO-246Cognitive Neuroscience4
or NEURO-254 Psychopharmacology
or NEURO-256 Hormones and Behavior
BIOL-200Introductory Biology II: How Organisms Develop4
BIOL-210Molecular Genetics4
or BIOL-220 Cell Biology
An appropriate prerequisite to qualify for the quantitative inference course
A course in quantitative inference:4
PSYCH-201
Statistics
or STAT-242
Intermediate Statistics
Two of the following laboratory-based courses at the 300 level:8
BIOCH-312
Chemistry of Biomolecules (with BIOCH-318 lab)
or CHEM-312
Chemistry of Biomolecules
BIOL-307
Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL-321AD
Conference Course: 'Substance Use Disorder: Addiction and Drug Memory Formation'
BIOL-321BE
Conference Course: 'Inquiries in Behavioral Ecology'
BIOL-333
Neurobiology
BIOL-328
Human Physiology
COMSC-334
Artificial Intelligence
COMSC-341NL
Topics: 'Natural Language Processing'
NEURO-324
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
NEURO-336
Systems Neuroscience
NEURO-395
Independent Study (4 credits)
PSYCH-350BN
Lab in Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience'
PSYCH-350ET
Lab in Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Ethology'
PSYCH-340CL
Laboratory in Perception and Cognition: 'Cognition and Literacy'
A third 300-level course from the preceding list, or from the following:4
CHEM-312
Chemistry of Biomolecules
or BIOCH-312
Chemistry of Biomolecules
NEURO-309
Topics in Neuroscience and Behavior
NEURO-331
Glial Cells in Health and Disease
NEURO-338
Mobilizing the Hippocampus
PSYCH-349AM
Seminar in Perception and Cognition: 'Art, Music, and the Brain'
PSYCH-349LT
Seminar in Perception and Cognition: 'Language and Thought'
PSYCH-359CN
Seminar: Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Clinical Neuroscience'
Total Credits48

Other Requirements

  • The three required courses at the 300 level must span at least two departments or programs.

Additional Specifications

  • Students who declare a neuroscience and behavior major automatically fulfill the College's "outside the major" requirement.
  • There are sometimes opportunities for Neuroscience and Behavior students to work on an individual basis with a Neuroscience and Behavior faculty member. Students are encouraged to discuss this option with any member of the program.

Course Offerings

NEURO-100 Introduction to Neuroscience and Behavior

Fall and Spring. Credits: 4

This comprehensive survey course explores the brain and the biological basis of behavior. We will examine the anatomy of the nervous system and the unique properties of the cells that make up the brain. We will discuss the mechanisms by which individual brain cells communicate with each other, and how networks of cells underlie more complex processes such as perception, learning, memory, and behavior.

Applies to requirement(s): Math Sciences
K. Colodner, M. Sabariego
Restrictions: This course is limited to first-years and sophomores.
Coreq: NEURO-100L.

NEURO-221 Research Techniques in Neuroscience

Fall. Credits: 4

This course will introduce students to modern techniques utilized in neuroscience research. Students will learn the underlying principles of an array of techniques spanning the fields of cellular/molecular, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience. In lab, students will perform experiments that demonstrate these skills firsthand. Emphasis will be placed on the tools necessary to implement these studies, proper experimental design, and the critical interpretation of generated data.

Applies to requirement(s): Math Sciences
K. Colodner
Restrictions: This course is offered to neuroscience majors only.; Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors
Prereq: NEURO-100. Coreq: NEURO-221L.

NEURO-246 Cognitive Neuroscience

Fall. Credits: 4

Cognitive psychologists investigate the features and functions of the human mind through behavioral techniques; neuroscientists explore the physiology of the human brain. Cognitive Neuroscience lies at the intersection of these disciplines, and asks questions like: How are memories represented in the brain? Is our brain pre-prepared to learn language and if so, how? How does the average human brain still outperform most face recognition software? This course explores the cognitive and neural processes that support vision, attention, language, memory, and music. It introduces basic neuroanatomy, functional imaging techniques, and behavioral measures of cognition.

Crosslisted as: PSYCH-246
Applies to requirement(s): Social Sciences
M. Breen
Prereq: PSYCH-100, NEURO-100, or AP Psychology.
Notes: This course counts in the cognitive or biol bases area of the psychology major.

NEURO-254 Psychopharmacology

Fall. Credits: 4

Psychopharmacology focuses on the impact that drugs (both illicit and prescription) have on the brain, neurocircuitry, and behavior. Students will explore the underlying neurotransmitter systems of the brain and discover how substances influence nervous system function including the experience of pain, sleep, emotional states, motivation, addiction, and mental health. The course will bridge concepts in chemistry, biology, psychology, and neuroscience by highlighting major drug classes and their underlying mechanisms of action. Additional discussions will focus on the economic, social, and political aspects of the drug market, as well as ethics and legalities of the drug industry.

Crosslisted as: PSYCH-254
Applies to requirement(s): Social Sciences
J. Schwartzer
Prereq: PSYCH-100, NEURO-100, or AP Psychology.

NEURO-256 Hormones and Behavior

Fall. Credits: 4

Does the idea of Finals Week stress you out? Have you ever felt hungry or thirsty? Is our biology to blame when people cheat on their partners? From mental health and hunger to sexual motivation and aggression, our hormones dictate many of our basic choices and ultimately control how we interact with our world. This course will explore how hormones communicate with our brain to influence behaviors such as sexual attraction and reproduction, parental care, and social behavior. Special emphasis will be placed on the underlying biology and role of the nervous system in regulating hormone levels.

Crosslisted as: PSYCH-256
Applies to requirement(s): Social Sciences
T. Hodges
Prereq: PSYCH-100, NEURO-100, or AP Psychology.

NEURO-295 Independent Study

Fall and Spring. Credits: 1 - 4

The department
Instructor permission required.

NEURO-309 Topics in Neuroscience and Behavior

NEURO-309NE Topics in Neuroscience and Behavior: 'Neuroethics'

Spring. Credits: 4

Neuroethics draws on the tools of philosophical analysis to investigate the role of neuroscience in our personal, social, and ethical lives. This class will look at the ethics of neuroscientific interventions such as cognitive enhancement, mind reading, and lie detection. We will examine how the neurosciences might inform philosophical discussions about human nature, personality, and ethics. In addition, we will look at the evidential role of neuroscientific evidence and how neuroscience technologies such as fMRI have influenced our thinking about the mind/ brain and person.

Crosslisted as: PHIL-334NE, PSYCH-359NE
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities
L. Sizer
Prereq: 8 credits from the Philosophy department or 4 credits from Philosophy and 4 credits from Neuroscience and Behavior.

NEURO-309SE Topics in Neuroscience and Behavior: 'Philosophy and Science of Emotion'

Fall. Credits: 4

This course is an interdisciplinary investigation of the nature of emotions and their influences on our thoughts and actions. While we will draw from a variety of disciplines, the nature and motivations of the inquiry are philosophical. We will consider: what are emotions? Are they bodily responses? Thoughts? Feelings? What roles do cultures play in shaping our emotions? What functions do emotions serve? We will examine evidence and arguments offered by philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, anthropology and evolutionary theory, and consider how these perspectives do or don't inform each other, as well as how they can help us understand the nature of emotions.

Crosslisted as: PHIL-350SE, PSYCH-359SE
Applies to requirement(s): Humanities
Other Attribute(s): Writing-Intensive
L. Sizer
Prereq: 8 credits in Philosophy or Neuroscience and Behavior, or 4 credits in each.

NEURO-324 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Not Scheduled for This Year. Credits: 4

This course will explore cellular and molecular mechanisms of nervous system development and function through lectures, laboratory exercises, and the critical analysis of primary literature. Topics include synapse formation and synaptic transmission, neuronal-glial interactions, the molecular basis of behavior, and applied genetic engineering techniques.

Applies to requirement(s): Math Sciences
K. Colodner
Prereq: NEURO-221 or BIOL-230.
Notes: This course meets the 300-level laboratory-based course requirement for the Neuroscience and Behavior major.

NEURO-331 Glial Cells in Health and Disease

Fall. Credits: 4

This course will explore the "other" cells in your brain, the glial cells. While neuronal cells receive most of the attention, glial cells are now recognized as essential players in normal brain physiology. Through the critical analysis of primary literature, we will highlight recent advances in glial cell biology and discuss how the various glial cell subtypes (astrocytes, microglia, myelinating cells, etc.) contribute to the healthy and diseased brain. We will examine the glial contribution to a variety of disorders (e.g. multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.) as we cultivate a better understanding of these often overlooked brain cells.

Applies to requirement(s): Math Sciences
K. Colodner
Restrictions: This course is offered to neuroscience majors only.
Prereq: NEURO-221.

NEURO-336 Systems Neuroscience

Spring. Credits: 4

This course will cover the functioning of neural circuits in the brain and how they give rise to cognition and behavior. Using primary literature and activities, students will delve into current topics in systems neuroscience. Labs will provide exposure and training in common neuroscience techniques, practice in thinking like a scientist, and an appreciation for how basic research can lead to major advances in the treatment of disease.

Applies to requirement(s): Math Sciences
Other Attribute(s): Speaking-Intensive
M. Sabariego
Restrictions: This course is offered to neuroscience majors only.
Prereq: NEURO-100 and PSYCH-204. Coreq: NEURO-336L.
Notes: Open to Neuroscience majors only for the first week of pre-registration; open to Psychology and Biology majors after the first week.

NEURO-338 Mobilizing the Hippocampus

Spring. Credits: 4

This course will provide a research site to investigate the functions of the hippocampal brain region to then embody that learning through choreographic structures. In particular, students will use dance expression to aid the understanding of complex neuroscience topics, and apply neuroscience knowledge to deepen creative expression. "Mobilizing the hippocampus" will help to bridge a gap between science and art, serving as a tool to stimulate a heightened understanding of both disciplines.

Crosslisted as: DANCE-338
Applies to requirement(s): Meets No Distribution Requirement
B. Diewald, M. Sabariego
Restrictions: This course is open to juniors and seniors; This course is limited to Dance and Neuroscience majors.

NEURO-395 Independent Study

Fall and Spring. Credits: 1 - 8

The department
Instructor permission required.

Courses Approved to Count for the Neuroscience and Behavior Major

Biochemistry
BIOCH-312Chemistry of Biomolecules4
BIOCH-318Laboratory Techniques in Protein Biochemistry1
Biological Sciences
BIOL-200Introductory Biology II: How Organisms Develop4
BIOL-210Molecular Genetics4
BIOL-220Cell Biology4
BIOL-307Vertebrate Anatomy4
BIOL-321ADConference Course: 'Substance Use Disorder: Addiction and Drug Memory Formation'4
BIOL-321BEConference Course: 'Inquiries in Behavioral Ecology'4
BIOL-328Human Physiology4
BIOL-333Neurobiology4
Chemistry
CHEM-150General Chemistry: Foundations4
CHEM-160Integrated Introduction to Biology and Chemistry4
CHEM-202Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM-312Chemistry of Biomolecules4
Computer Science
COMSC-334Artificial Intelligence4
COMSC-341NLTopics: 'Natural Language Processing'4
Dance
DANCE-338Mobilizing the Hippocampus4
Music
MUSIC-321AMAdvanced Interdisciplinary Topics: 'Art, Music and the Brain'4
Neuroscience & Behavior
NEURO-100Introduction to Neuroscience and Behavior4
NEURO-221Research Techniques in Neuroscience4
NEURO-246Cognitive Neuroscience4
NEURO-254Psychopharmacology4
NEURO-256Hormones and Behavior4
NEURO-309NETopics in Neuroscience and Behavior: 'Neuroethics'4
NEURO-309SETopics in Neuroscience and Behavior: 'Philosophy and Science of Emotion'4
NEURO-324Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience4
NEURO-331Glial Cells in Health and Disease4
NEURO-336Systems Neuroscience4
NEURO-338Mobilizing the Hippocampus4
NEURO-395Independent Study1-8
Philosophy
PHIL-350SETopics in Philosophy: 'Philosophy and Science of Emotion'4
Psychology
PSYCH-201Statistics4
PSYCH-204Research Methods in Psychology4
PSYCH-246Cognitive Neuroscience4
PSYCH-254Psychopharmacology4
PSYCH-256Hormones and Behavior4
PSYCH-340CLLaboratory in Perception and Cognition: 'Cognition and Literacy'4
PSYCH-340SPLaboratory in Perception and Cognition: 'Speech'4
PSYCH-349ADSeminar in Perception and Cognition: 'Adult Literacy'4
PSYCH-349AMSeminar in Perception and Cognition: 'Art, Music, and the Brain'4
PSYCH-349LTSeminar in Perception and Cognition: 'Language and Thought'4
PSYCH-350BNLab in Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience'4
PSYCH-350ETLab in Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Ethology'4
PSYCH-359CNSeminar: Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Clinical Neuroscience'4
PSYCH-359SESeminar: Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Philosophy and Science of Emotion'4
Statistics
STAT-242Intermediate Statistics4

Laboratory-Based Courses at the 300 Level Approved to Count for the Neuroscience and Behavior Major

Biochemistry
BIOCH-318Laboratory Techniques in Protein Biochemistry1
Biological Sciences
BIOL-307Vertebrate Anatomy4
BIOL-321ADConference Course: 'Substance Use Disorder: Addiction and Drug Memory Formation'4
BIOL-321BEConference Course: 'Inquiries in Behavioral Ecology'4
BIOL-328Human Physiology4
BIOL-333Neurobiology4
Computer Science
COMSC-334Artificial Intelligence4
COMSC-341NLTopics: 'Natural Language Processing'4
Neuroscience & Behavior
NEURO-324Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience4
NEURO-336Systems Neuroscience4
NEURO-395Independent Study1-8
Psychology
PSYCH-340CLLaboratory in Perception and Cognition: 'Cognition and Literacy'4
PSYCH-340SPLaboratory in Perception and Cognition: 'Speech'4
PSYCH-350BNLab in Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience'4
PSYCH-350ETLab in Biological Bases of Behavior: 'Ethology'4

Contact us

The Neuroscience and Behavior Program teaches the study of the nervous system, which can be approached at many levels—from molecules and cells to organisms and their behavior.

Jill Pietrantonio, 2024
  • Academic Department Coordinator

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