Neuroscience Major | Skidmore College

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system — but more than that, it seeks to understand the mechanisms that give rise to human thought, emotion, and behavior.

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Neuroscience blurs the traditional barriers between specializations like biology, psychology, and chemistry. Study what captures your curiosity — from genetic regulation of circadian rhythms to the impact of cannabinoid use on brain development.

What will you learn?

The Skidmore neuroscience major is anchored by six core lab-based courses in neuroscience, chemistry, biology, and psychology. In choosing your electives, curate a path that fits your interests, whether you want to study on the cellular level or prepare for a career in health care.

Where will you go?

Skidmore neuroscience majors develop intensive and adaptable research and critical-thinking skills that prepare them for graduate school and careers paths including the health professions, research, and clinical work.

Career paths	Recent employers	Graduate schools
Clinical researcher College/high school educator Data quality manager Formulating chemist Laboratory manager Mental health professional Physician Research assistant/associate Registered nurse/nurse practitioner Software engineer Veterinarian	Boston University Brigham and Women's Hospital Dana Farber Cancer Institute Harvard University Massachusetts General Hospital SUNY Downstate Medical School Rockefeller University University of Florida University of Pennsylvania Viome (Biotech)	Boston University Brandeis University Sarah Lawrence College SUNY Downstate Medical School University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Southern California University of Utah University of Washington Widener University

Yes. You will do research.

Neuroscience students are strongly encouraged to engage in independent research as part of their curriculum — as in, more than 90% conduct it.

A student sits at a computer with scientific research equipment in the background, along with a professor standing over providing direction..

Research opportunities

For-credit, conference, and summer research options are available, providing students the chance to collaborate directly with neuroscience faculty.

Exterior of Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences with flowers hanging above in foreground.

Exceptional resources

The new Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences features the Skidmore McGraw Microscopy Imaging Center, devoted research spaces, and more.

Jordan Diamond '27 sits in a lab, smiling, with a microscope in front of her and wearing a purple shirt and purple lab gloves.

Summer exploration

Skidmore’s Faculty-Student Summer Research Program allows students to work with faculty on original research. Find out what Jordan Diamond ’27 learned through her experience.

A professor guides a small group of college students through a tabletop game exercise in a classroom, using the game to illustrate key concepts projected on a screen behind them.

Teaching in unexpected ways

In addition to being a professor of neuroscience and psychology, Hassan Lopez has been designing tabletop games for almost two decades, creating popular titles such as Clockwork Wars and Maniacal.

Read the full story

What students have to say

Hear from three neuroscience majors about their experiences in the program.

A student in a red jacket examines a test tube under a microscope in a research laboratory, surrounded by scientific equipment and sample vials.

Eye-opening summer research

Neuroscience major Yiwen Su ’26 worked with Professor Chris Vecsey to unlock the secrets of a good night’s sleep — starting with the circadian rhythms of fruit flies.

Read Yiwen’s story

Hands working with petri dishes in a lab setting, examining bacterial cultures using tweezers; a plastic container filled with labeled petri dishes sits nearby on the black lab bench.

Practical lab experience

Ariana Cojocaru ’26 practiced advanced techniques through a hospital internship, facilitated by Skidmore’s Health Professions Advisory Committee.

Read Ariana’s story

A student in a white turtleneck smiles while standing in a brightly lit academic building hallway.

Finding her calling

Lizbeth Medoza ’25 embraced exploration across academic disciplines, discovered her passion for the sciences, and now envisions a career in neuroscience research.

Read Lizbeth's story

Alina Bazarian stands on stage at a Skidmore podium speaking into a mircophone and wearing a red dress with white floral print.

A trailblazer and physician

Neuroscience major Alina Bazarian ’14, the first in her family to attend college, is now a resident physician. “Skidmore provided me with a well-rounded education that has served me well in my role,” she says.

Read Alina's story

Faculty

Award-winning. Creative. Thoughtful and supportive.

Meet your professors

Neuroscience Contact

Office

Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences 280H
518-580-5304

Program Director

Bernard Possidente
Professor of Biology
bposside@skidmore.edu

Administrative Assistant

Carolyn Lundy
clundy@skidmore.edu