Neuroscience (NS)
Neuroscience is the scientific community's effort to understand how nervous systems give rise to behavior, motives, and thoughts. Neuroscience majors engage in a broadly based study of the nervous system that is multidisciplinary, integrating the perspectives of biology, psychology, and related sciences. Our mission is to provide students with a foundation in concepts, issues, discoveries and methods for an interdisciplinary understanding of neuroscience. Students will discover how approaches from different neuroscience subdisciplines complement one another and are integrated to provide a more global understanding of the evolution, development, structure and functions of the nervous system. Students also gain research experience by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data and summarizing and communicating empirical results. The major will prepare students for career paths that include graduate school, the health professions, research, and clinical work.
The Neuroscience Program is designed to help majors develop a strong sense of identity by having shared experiences in the major (through our gateway NS 101 course, NS 201 or 202 at the intermediate level, and our NS 377 Senior Coda in Neuroscience). These experiences provide students with exposure to the wide variety of research questions/methodologies/issues conducted within the multidisciplinary field of neuroscience. As early as the Spring semester of their first year, students are encouraged to undertake introductory independent research tutorials with neuroscience faculty to gain hands-on experience in conducting research in the laboratory. Students can then progress up to more substantial research projects, which could include collaborative summer research and/or a senior thesis project.
Because neuroscience is a very broad field and can lead to a variety of career paths, we also provide neuroscience majors with examples of “Projected Paths through the Major” (see Skidmore College Catalog); these paths include a biobehavioral, cellular and molecular, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, and premedical focus. These paths are intended as illustrations of groupings of electives (both within and beyond the major) informed by different kinds of interests and goals. Please visit our website for more information about the major and come visit the neuroscience-affiliated faculty in Tisch Learning Center and Dana Science Center and the Center for Integrated Sciences.
We look forward to meeting you!
Recommended courses for a prospective major
The recommended course schedule below is ideal for an incoming student who is already planning on majoring in neuroscience (NS). Students who wish to do more exploration during their first year can do so, but should talk with a knowledgeable advisor to develop an optimal individualized plan for completing the major along with any other academic and career objectives. Common considerations include the following: potential NS majors should take NS 101: Introduction to Neuroscience during the first year in order to solidify their interest in the Neuroscience major. This course is offered in both Spring and Fall semesters. We also recommend completing Biology 107/108 and PS 202 since they serve as prerequisites for several 200-level courses in the major. To enroll in PS 202, students must have either tested into AQR or completed an FQR course. During the sophomore year, it is strongly recommend for students pursuing an NS major to take either NS 201: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (typically offered in the Fall) OR NS 202: Neurophysiology (typically offered in the Spring). If both classes are taken, one will count as an Advanced Research Methods requirement or as a 200-level elective. It is also possible to wait to take NS201 or NS202 during the third year, but this can lead to difficulty completing the 300-level courses in the major that require students to have taken NS201 or NS202 first.
Students interested in pursuing an NS major may wish to begin Chemistry their first or second year. While it is common for students to take two lab courses in one semester, we do not generally recommend that students take more than two. Students need to take a placement exam for Chemistry. CH 115 prepares students who place into it for success in CH 126. Alternatively, students may place directly into CH 125 (which then would avoid the need to take both CH115 and CH126). Both CH 125 and CH 126 prepare students for upper-level courses in Chemistry. CH 115 and CH 125 are offered only during Fall semesters and CH 126 is offered only during Spring semesters. Students who complete CH 115 in the Fall should take CH 126 the following Spring.
In their senior year, in addition to completing remaining electives at the 100/200- and 300-levels, NS majors will likely wish to complete NS377: Senior Coda in Neuroscience. This 1-credit course is not required for the major, but it satisfies the all-college Coda requirement, so most NS majors will want to take it unless they are completing the Coda requirement in a different department or program.
Students who would like to major in NS and are considering a pre-health concentration should sign up with a Health Professions Advisor Committee (HPAC) advisor to find out if the recommendations below are suitable for them."
Fall 2023 (First year)
NS 101 Introduction to Neuroscience
BI 107 Molecular and Cellular Foundations of Life OR BI 108 Organismal Biology
Spring 2024 (First year)
PS 202* Research Methods in Psychology I
BI 107 Molecular and Cellular Foundations of Life OR BI 108 Organismal BiologyFall 2024 (Second year)
NS 201 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience OR NS elective
CH 115** or CH 125**
Spring 2025 (Second year)
NS 202 Neurophysiology AND/OR NS elective
CH 126 (if CH 115 was taken in the fall)
* Students enrolling in PS 202 must either test into AQR, or have completed an FQR course previously.
** Chemistry Placement Diagnostic is required.
Neuroscience department site
1st Floor, Tisch Learning Center (Offices and teaching lab space)
2nd Floor Annex (Dept. Administrative Assistant)
Center for Integrated Sciences
518-580-5304