Neuroscience

The Department of Psychology offers students a broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on community, social and individual approaches to understanding human behavior.  Students are thus exposed to a combination of theoretical, scientific and practical approaches to solving human problems.  Issues of gender, race, class and culture are emphasized in courses throughout the curriculum.  As a result of required course work and internship experiences, the department graduates students with marketable skills that prepare them for entry-level positions in social services or for graduate study in related areas.  As part of this mission, the Department of Psychology offers four majors: psychology, neuroscience, animal behavior and psychology and social relations.

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major offered by faculty from various departments and colleges with expertise in the neuroscience.  The neuroscience curriculum offers students an opportunity to explore the structure and function of the nervous system.  The major requires a general science background, a number of courses specifically devoted to the brain and nervous system, and an in-depth experience that explores the limits of knowledge in at least one aspect of neuroscience.  The major allows considerable flexibility for students to develop the last two years along the lines of individual preferences and interests, with potential foci in areas of cellular/molecular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, or cognitive science.  The majority of students who graduate with a degree in Neuroscience enter graduate or professional programs culminating with careers in medicine/health care, research, and/or education.  

A minimum grade of "C-"  must be achieved in all courses used to fulfill the requirements for the Neuroscience  major. See Undergraduate Academic Policy also.

 I. Learning Goals for NEUROSCIENCE Majors (knowledge base) 

Students who graduate with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Neuroscience at UNE 
will be able to: 

1. Understand the cellular and molecular structure and function of neurons, including how  neurons communicate 
2. Understand the organization and function of sensory and motor systems, including transduction mechanisms and encoding properties of the nervous system 
3. Understand the organization and function of the brain as it relates to behavior and cognition 
4. Understand the development and mechanisms of plasticity of the nervous system 
5. Demonstrate a working knowledge of neuroanatomy, including an understanding of how nervous system structure relates to its function 

The program will provide a framework for the historical trends and theoretical 
perspectives in the neurosciences. The goal is to produce independent, self-motivated 
learners who have acquired the analytical and research skills that will help them to think 
creatively while integrating complex ideas. Particular emphasis is placed on developing 
the skills necessary to effectively communicate in both the written and oral format. 
 
Students will acquire the following skills as they complete their degree program in 
Neuroscience: 
 
1. Quantitative skills 
1.1 Ability to represent information in a quantitative format 
1.2 Ability to analyze and interpret quantitative information, including graphs and statistics 
1.3 Ability to quantitatively manipulate data and information 
 
2. Critical and integrative thinking skills 
2.1 Ability to critique and develop experimental designs and methodology 
2.2 Ability to integrate findings from diverse fields to address a research question or develop a testable hypothesis. 
2.3 Ability to read and analyze a primary research paper 
 
3. Research skills 
3.1 Ability to develop a hypothesis and design experiments to test this hypothesis 
3.2 Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data 
3.3 Ability to perform multiple techniques related to neuroscience research (specific techniques may vary, but include: anatomical techniques, electrophysiology, biochemical techniques, cell culture, behavioral studies, etc.) 

 
4. Communication skills 
4.1 Ability to present information orally in an organized and understandable manner 
4.2 Ability to communicate scientific information in written format for scientific 
publication 
4.3 Ability to communicate scientific information to the lay public in both oral and 
written format 
 
5. Independent critical thinking skills 
5.1 Ability to defend unique views/approaches/answers to well established phenomenon 
and theories based upon objective evidence 
5.2 Ability to overcome barriers/impediments to learning/research. 
5.3 Ability to find answers to questions that may not be specifically addressed in a course

A student with a major in another area may minor in Neuroscience with permission of the psychology department chair. A minimum of 25 hours of approved course credit with a grade of "C-" or better is required for the minor in Neuroscience as follows:

We offer qualified students the option of participating in our Honors Program and graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member.

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives.  All Science/Math courses previously completed must be no older than five years.  Other restrictions apply.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Interested students should apply for admission to the neuroscience major.  Upon acceptance to the university students are provisionally admitted to this major.  Upon completion of 60 credit hours (approximately the end of the second year of full-time work) student progress is evaluated by the undergraduate curriculum committee (see below).  Students will then be fully admitted upon meeting the conditions indicated in the Program Standards section below.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

The Neuroscience major is administered through the Department of Psychology with guidance from the Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.  Students interested in pursuing a degree in neuroscience will have a primary advisor in the psychology department and the option of a secondary advisor from among the interdisciplinary faculty who comprise the curriculum committee.

For more information, please contact any of the faculty from the Undergraduate Neuroscience Curriculum Committee listed below:

Glenn Stevenson, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Department of Psychology / Program Coordinator, Neuroscience Major
gstevenson@une.edu

Geoffrey Ganter, Ph.D., Professor
Department of Biology
gganter@une.edu

Ian Meng, Ph.D., Professor
Department of Biomedical Sciences
imeng@une.edu

Michael Burman Ph.D, Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
mburman@une.edu

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.