91AV

The Department of Psychology offers students a broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on community, social and individual approaches to understanding human behavior.  Students are thus exposed to a combination of theoretical, scientific and practical approaches to solving human problems.  Issues of gender, race, class and culture are emphasized in courses throughout the curriculum.  As a result of required course work and internship experiences, the department graduates students with marketable skills that prepare them for entry-level positions in social services or for graduate study in related areas.  As part of this mission, the Department of Psychology offers three majors: psychology, neuroscience, and animal behavior.

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major offered by faculty from various departments and colleges with expertise in the neuroscience.  The neuroscience curriculum offers students an opportunity to explore the structure and function of the nervous system.  The major requires a general science background, a number of courses specifically devoted to the brain and nervous system, and an in-depth experience that explores the limits of knowledge in at least one aspect of neuroscience.  The major allows considerable flexibility for students to develop the last two years along the lines of individual preferences and interests, with potential foci in areas of cellular/molecular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, or cognitive science.  The majority of students who graduate with a degree in Neuroscience enter graduate or professional programs culminating with careers in medicine/health care, research, and/or education.  

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

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A grade point average of 2.25 is necessary to be approved to add a major in Psychology, Animal Behavior, or Neuroscience, and to add a minor in Psychology, Animal Behavior, Neuroscience, Art Therapy, or MHRT/C.   Double majoring or majoring and minoring within the Department of Psychology may be possible for a student.  However, students interested in this option should do so with close consultation of their academic advisor to ensure that a substantial degree of overlap between the two areas does not occur.

A minimum grade of "C-" must be achieved in all courses used to fulfill the requirements for the Neuroscience major.  Students must also complete the University Core mathematics requirement by the end of the first year. The department strongly recommends that students take PSY 225 or MAT 150 in their sophomore year. The department requires that PSY 225 OR MAT 150 be completed by the end of the junior year.  See Undergraduate Academic Policy also.

Students who graduate with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Neuroscience at 91AV will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate a broad foundation in the concepts and methodologies of the interdisciplinary field of neuroscience at the cellular, molecular, cognitive, systems, and behavioral levels.
2. Demonstrate research skills including the ability to design experiments, and collect, analyze, and interpret data through research projects, lab work, internships, and coursework.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating neuroscience primary literature.
4. Communicate in written and oral format scientific information in an organized and clear manner.

A student with GPA of at least 2.25 and a major at 91AV may minor in Neuroscience with the approval of the Psychology Department Chair.  Declarations must occur prior to the completion of the first semester of the junior year. Major programs of study with significant course overlap with Neuroscience minor requirements may be disallowed by the chair.  Students declaring a minor in Neuroscience will not be allowed to double-dip credits across the minor and either major or core requirements (unless no other options are provided by the major, minor, or core requirements). 

A minimum of 25 hours of approved course credit with a minimum grade of "C-" in each course is required for the minor in Neuroscience as follows:

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their major advisor. 

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at 91AV in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.  All courses completed must be no older than five years.  Other restrictions apply.    See Undergraduate Admissions also.

See Undergraduate Admissions.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.