Please note: This is NOT the most current catalog.

Neuroscience

Director, 2008-09: Shelly Dickinson (Psychology), behavioral neuroscience, addiction

Faculty, 2008-09: Kevin Crisp (Biology), neuroethology, neurobiology; Henry Kermott (Biology), zoology, animal behavior; Gary Muir (Psychology), neuroscience, spatial cognition; Bonnie Sherman (Psychology), perception and neuropsychology; Howard Thorsheim (Psychology), human cognition, psychophysiology; Anne Walter (Biology), biophysics, membranes, cell physiology

Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary program that provides students access to the field by linking curricula, faculty, and students in a contract concentration that requires foundations in at least two natural sciences and stretches to connect with courses in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. It provides students with a broad introductory exposure to the field of neuroscience by requiring students to integrate material from several disciplines to answer questions about the brain, behavior, and consciousness. Students must first consult with the director of the neuroscience concentration by the end of the sophomore year and develop a contract. The contract may be altered by mutual consent at any time.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE CONCENTRATION

https://www.stolaf.edu/committees/curriculum/ge/learning-outcomes.html

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONCENTRATION

The neuroscience concentration consists of six courses: an introductory neuroscience course (Neuroscience 234), four core elective courses, and a capstone seminar. Neuroscience 234, Introduction to Neuroscience, provides a foundation and overview of the important and extensive ways in which biological and psychological processes are involved in the regulation and maintenance of behavior. The four core elective courses are selected from appropriate offerings in psychology (one 200-level course), biology (one 200-level course), any of the departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (one 300-level course), and from neuroscience-related offerings from an area outside the natural sciences (one course). The final course for the concentration is a capstone seminar. The prerequisite for this class is the completion of the other requirements in the neuroscience concentration. Students are strongly encouraged to take Psychology 238, Biopsychology, as well.

COURSES

234 Introduction to Neuroscience

Neuroscience is one of the fastest growing fields, with activity ranging from the fundamentals of behavior to molecular aspects of neuronal function. This course provides a foundation and overview of the important and extensive ways in which biological and physiological processes are involved in the regulation and maintenance of behavior. Among the topics students explore are: fundamental electrophysiology, sensory and motor systems, integration, learning and memory, and the mind-body connection. Prerequisites: Biology 125, or Chemistry 121 (or 125), or Chemistry/Biology 125, or Physics 126, or Psychology 125. Biology 125 is strongly recommended. Counts towards the Biology major. Offered Fall Semester.

294 Internship

298 Independent Study

394 Internship

396 Directed Undergraduate Research: "Topic Description"

This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests. Prerequisite: Determined by individual instructor. Offer based on department decision.

398 Independent Research

APPROVED COURSES:
Biology Foundation Courses (1 required)

Biology 233, Intermediate Genetics
Biology 243, Human Anatomy and Physiology
Biology 247, Animal Physiology
Biology 248, Invertebrate Zoology
Another Appropriate Biology Course with Director’s Permission

Psychology Foundation Courses (1 required)

Psychology 235, Sensation and Perception
Psychology 236, Conditioning and Learning
Psychology 237, Cognition, Learning and Memory
Psychology 225, Psychophysiology
Another Appropriate Psychology Course with Director’s Permission

Advanced Science Elective (1 required)

Biology 341, Cell Physiology
Biology 372, Developmental Biology
Biology 386, Animal Behavior
Biology 387, Neuroethology
Chemistry 373, Experimental Biochemistry
Chemistry 379, Biochemistry
Physics 390, Topics in Physics
Psychology 385, Human Neuropsychology
Another Appropriate Neuroscience Course with Director’s Permission

Elective Outside Natural Science (1 required)

Examples include:
Dance 232, Movement Analysis
Philosophy 231, Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy 250, Biomedical Ethics
Exercise Science 374, Biomechanics
Consult Director for Other Options

Capstone Seminar (required)

Designated Seminar In Biology (e.g., Biology 385, Neuroscience Seminar)
Designated Seminar In Psychology (e.g., Psychology 336, Neuroscience of Addiction; Psychology 337, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Psychology 338, Neurobiology of Psychopathology)
Other Designated Seminars in Chemistry or Biology or Psychology