Below are the departmental learning goals mapped to College-wide goals for student learning.

1. Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in neuroscience, which showcases the interrelatedness of molecular, cellular, physiological, behavioral, and cognitive levels of analysis.
2. Critically assess primary source neuroscience literature.
3. Communicate scientific facts and ideas in written, oral, and visual formats.
4. Apply scientific methods to neuroscience questions.

Information Literacy

• Be able to define the scope of their research questions/theses and determine the relevance of acquired information. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IIId, IVa, IVb, IVd)
• Be able to access relevant published scientific literature and databases. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IIId, IVa, IVd)
• Be able to assess the degree to which information has been critically reviewed prior to its dissemination. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIC, IIe, IIId, IVa,IVb, IVd)
• Be able to access, use, and cite information in ethical and appropriate fashions. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IVa, IVb, IVd)

Visual Literacy

• Be able to create, describe, and interpret figures and/or tables suitable for evaluating combinations of continuous and/or categorical information. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IVa, IVd)
• Be able to use visuals in order to identify patterns, either for the visual articulation of hypotheses or to measure congruence between observed and predicted values. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IVa, IVd)
• Be able to create visuals suitable for particular contexts, for example visuals appropriate for being accompanied by text, those accompanying an oral presentation, or those acting as an independent visual. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IVa, IVd)

Technological Literacy

• Be able to identify and use appropriate technology for inquiry at molecular, cellular, cognitive, and behavioral levels. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIe, IIId, IAa, IVb, IVd)
• Be able to identify appropriate strategies to organize, store, and retrieve samples, data, or observations. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIe, IIId, IVa, IVb, IVd)
• Be able to select appropriate software to summarize and/or draw inferences from data or observations. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIe, IIId, IVa, IVb, IVd)

Oral Communication

• Be able to organize material logically and provide effective transitions. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IIIc, IIId, IVa, IVb, IVd)
• Be able to use precise language that effectively supports the presentation and is appropriate to the audience and make the presentation engaging. Students are expected to appear practiced and confident. (Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IIIc, IIId, IVa, IVb, IVd)
• Be able to present a central message that is concise and convincing (precisely stated, appropriately emphasized, and evidence-based). Relevance of the central message is clearly stated. (Ia, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIe, IIIc, IIId, IVa, IVb, IVd) 

Students will engage in a broadly based study of the nervous system.

This study will be multidisciplinary, integrating the perspectives of biology, psychology, and related sciences. Students will develop a foundation in concepts, issues, discoveries and methodological approaches to the interdisciplinary endeavor of neuroscience. Students will discover how approaches from different neuroscience subdisciplines complement one another and how the findings can be integrated to provide a more global understanding of the functioning of the nervous system. Students will gather, analyze, and interpret scientific data and summarize and communicate empirical results; this process will enhance their familiarity and facility with scientific methodology. Students will also develop their verbal, quantitative, and writing skills.

Students will focus in a subfield of neuroscience and may conduct research with faculty members. Students will gain experience in integrating and synthesizing data, develop a broad background in the sciences and humanities, and acquire skills adaptable to a wide variety of areas and interests. The major will prepare students for career paths that include graduate school, the health professions, research, and clinical work.

To be eligible for honors in neuroscience, neuroscience majors must meet the GPA requirements set by the College and research requirements set by the program. Specifically, students must have the following: 

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.500 or higher for work in the major, and a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher for all work at Skidmore. The GPA requirement must be met during the spring semester of senior year in order to apply for honors and must be maintained at the time of graduation for honors to be bestowed. 
2. Successful completion of two semesters' worth of three-credit, 300-level research related to neuroscience (research conducted either at Skidmore or at another institution will be considered, as will summer research experiences).
3. Completion and submission by the deadline of this honors application (more information below) in which the research experiences are described along with their qualification for honors in neuroscience. 

Applying for Neuroscience Honors

1. Include the following information:

• Name
• Cumulative GPA
• Neuroscience GPA

2. Prepare your statement (one page max)

Submit a typed statement on a separate page that is:

• Single-spaced
• 12-point font
• No more than one page

3. Describe your experience

In separate paragraphs, describe any neuroscience-related:

• Independent research
• Internships
• These may be completed at Skidmore or elsewhere.

For each experience, include:

• A brief description of the project
• Your specific role and contributions
• Any Skidmore faculty you worked with

4. Include additional involvement (optional)

You may also note:

• Conference presentations (completed or planned)
• Publications or manuscripts (submitted or in progress)
• Note: These are not required for honors consideration.

 
5. Submit your application

Send your completed form and statement to the current director of the Neuroscience Program. 

 
6. Meet the deadline

• Applications are due by the spring semester withdrawal deadline.
• Please check the registrar’s website for the exact date.

Hartnett Prize for undergraduate research in neuroscience

Established in honor of Bill and Teresa Hartnett, who were strong proponents of undergraduate education, by their daughter, Professor of Psychology Mary Ann Foley, and awarded annually to a senior who conducts neuroscience research of outstanding quality.

Who is eligible:

• Senior neuroscience major
• Completed at least two semesters of neuroscience research (300-level, e.g., NS375/376)
• Research may be with one or more faculty mentors

How the selection process works:

1. Faculty nominations (spring semester)
   Neuroscience and affiliated faculty nominate eligible students. Each nomination includes:
   • A brief description of the student’s research
   • A rationale for why the work is outstanding
2. Faculty feedback
   The neuroscience director shares nominees with faculty for additional input.
3. Steering committee review
   The neuroscience steering committee evaluates all nominees and selects one recipient based on research quality.
4. Final approval
   The director circulates the recommendation to faculty and submits the final decision to the Dean of Studies.

What to expect:

• The award is based primarily on the quality and impact of research
• The prize may not be awarded if no candidate meets the criteria
• The recipient is often invited to present their work at the neuroscience session during Academic Festival

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FAQs:

• Do I apply directly? No. Students are nominated by faculty.
• What makes a strong candidate? Sustained, high-quality research and clear faculty support.
• Can research be done with different mentors? Yes. Many students work with one mentor, but multiple labs are allowed.

Nu Rho Psi is a national honor society for neuroscientists of all levels.

Visit the national Nu Rho Psi website to learn more

The purpose of Nu Rho Psi is to: 

• encourage professional interest and excellence in scholarship, particularly in neuroscience;
• award recognition to students who have achieved such excellence in scholarship;
• advance the discipline of neuroscience; encourage intellectual and social interaction between students, faculty, and professionals in neuroscience and related fields;
• promote career development in neuroscience and related fields;
• increase public awareness of neuroscience and its benefits for the individual and society; and
• encourage service to the community.

Skidmore maintains a local chapter of Nu Rho Psi. To become part of the organization, a student must meet the following qualifications:

• A minimum of three semesters of college curriculum completed
• A minimum of three courses toward the neuroscience major completed
• Students should be registered as a neuroscience major
• 3.4 overall cumulative GPA
• 3.5 neuroscience major GPA
• High standards of personal and academic behavior (no violations)

Induction invitations are made to qualified students every fall semester, and an induction ceremony takes place at the end of the academic year.

Please contact our faculty sponsor, Dr. Christopher Vecsey, for more information.