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Neuroscience

Director: Cecilia M. Fox

Neuroscience represents a relatively new but rapidly expanding area of study that brings together a variety of disciplines to explore the development, structure, functional activities and behavioral consequences of the nervous system. The neuroscience major at Moravian College emphasizes a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to understanding the intricate neural mechanisms underlying human and animal behavior. Students will experience a diverse yet integrated education focused on the relationship between biology and behavior from the introductory to advanced courses of study. Three areas of neuroscience emphasis have been developed (cellular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, and cognitive neuroscience) but all majors have a common core of courses.

As an interdisciplinary program, the neuroscience major draws upon the expertise of faculty in biology, psychology, philosophy, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science. Completion of this program will culminate in a Bachelor of Science degree. Students considering postgraduate careers in neuroscience, experimental psychology, neuropsychology, pharmaceutical research, education, law and medicine are encouraged to pursue this major field of study.

Neuroscience Core Courses

Seven courses serve as the core of this major.
   Biology 112 Zoology
   Biology 362 Neuroscience
   Neuroscience 367 Introduction to Neuroscience Methodology
   Neuroscience 373 Neuroscience Seminar
   Psychology 120 Introduction to Psychology
   Psychology 211 Experimental Methods and Data Analysis I
   Psychology 212 Experimental Methods and Data Analysis II

Neuroscience Co-Requisite Courses

Seven co-requisites are required for this major.
   Chemistry 113-114 General Chemistry
   Mathematics 170 Analytical Geometry and Calculus I
   or Mathematics
         106-166
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I with Review, Parts 1 and 2
   Physics 109-110 Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences
   Chemistry 211-212 Organic Chemistry
   or Computer Science
         120-121
Computer Science I and II

Chemistry 211 and 212 are required for those students pursuing an emphasis in cellular neurobiology or behavioral neuroscience. Computer Science 120 and 121 are required in lieu of Chemistry 211 and 211 for those students pursuing an emphasis in cognitive neuroscience.

Ethics course recommendations: Due to the increased awareness of ethical implications associated with scientific research (for example, stem-cell research), it is important to educate neuroscience students in the field of ethics. Therefore, Philosophy 222 (M3), Philosophy 259 (U1), or Nursing 360 (U2) is strongly recommended.

Neuroscience Elective Courses

The neuroscience major is designed to provide students with an opportunity to focus on one of three areas of emphasis: cellular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, or cognitive neuroscience. Students should select three of the following electives from one area of emphasis and one from a different area of neuroscience interest.

Cellular Neurobiology
   Biology 210 Genetics
   Biology 262 Human Genetics
   Biology 265 Cell Physiology
   Biology 328 Biochemistry II (Also Chemistry 328)
   Biology 342 Animal Development
   Biology 350 Vertebrate Physiology
   Neuroscience 286,
      381-384
Independent Study
   Neuroscience 288,       386-388 Internship
   Neuroscience 400-401 Honors
   Psychology 325 Physiological Psychology
   
Behavioral Neuroscience
   Neuroscience 286,
      381-384
Independent Study
   Neuroscience 288,
      386-388
Internship
   Neuroscience 400-401 Honors
   Psychology 250 Animal Behavior (Also Biology 250)
   Psychology 315 Cognitive Psychology
   Psychology 335 Conditioning, Learning, and Behavior
   
Cognitive Neuroscience
   Computer Science 260 Artificial Intelligence
   Neuroscience 286,
      381-384
Independent Study
   Neuroscience 288,
      386-388
Internship
   Neuroscience 400-401 Honors
   Philosophy 251 Philosophy of Psychology (Also Psychology 251)
   Psychology 315 Cognitive Psychology
   Psychology 376 Seminar in Experimental/Cognitive Psychology

Appropriate advanced courses offered by LVAIC institutions may be substituted for the above-mentioned electives with the prior approval of the neuroscience program director.

Courses in Neuroscience

367. Introduction to Neuroscience Methodology. This course provides students with the background to understand the various experimental methods used in the field of neuroscience. Laboratory experiences and journal club discussions of primary scientific literature are used to develop skills in preparation for future neuroscience research endeavors. Students apply the fundamental techniques learned in this course to design their own research projects. Prerequisites: Psychology 212, Biology 362, and Chemistry 114, or permission of instructor.
Fox, Johnson

373. Neuroscience Seminar. This capstone course in the area of neuroscience is a writing-intensive seminar. Students research current scholarly literature on topics related to the field of neuroscience and compose research papers and oral presentations on a particular topic of interest. Emphasis is placed on effective literature searches, appropriate citations of scientific articles, analysis and interpretation of research data, thesis development and effective communication of scientific concepts. Prerequisites: Senior standing, and Neuroscience 367 or permission of instructor.
Fox, Johnson

190-199, 290-299, 390-399. Special Topics.

286, 381-384. Independent Study.

288, 386-388. Internship.

400-401. Honors.