Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Scripps Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Scripps Catalog THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. LINKS MAY NO LONGER BE ACTIVE AND CONTENT MAY BE OUT OF DATE!

Neuroscience Major


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A major in Neuroscience requires a minimum of 14 courses plus a senior thesis.

Common Neuroscience Core (10 courses)


  1. First Tier
  2. Second Tier—Choose three courses from the following:

NOTE: Introductory Biology, Basic Principles of Chemistry, and General Physics may be substituted with both semesters of the AISS course ( AISS 001AL , AISS 001BL  and AISS 002AL , AISS 002BL )

Neuroscience Sequence (four courses)


A coherent grouping of four elective courses to be determined in consultation with an adviser in Neuroscience and approved by the Coordinator of the Intercollegiate Neuroscience Program. Areas in which a student may elect to specialize include, but are not limited to:

  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Philosophy of Neuroscience, or
  • Social/Affective Neuroscience

Senior Thesis (one or two courses)


A one- or two-semester Senior Thesis on a topic related to the student’s selected Neuroscience Sequence. Students who choose the one-semester thesis option are required to take an additional course towards their neuroscience sequence.

Honors Requirements


To be considered for departmental honors in neuroscience, a student must:

  • Achieve a minimum grade point average of 11.0 (A-) in courses in the major;
  • Complete a one- or two-semester thesis project in which the student has demonstrated excellence by making a significant contribution to the progress of the research and by producing a thesis document judged to be of honors quality by the department;
  • Present an oral progress report at the end of the first semester of a two-semester thesis and a poster at the conclusion of either a one- or two-semester thesis in which the student clearly explains the rationale for the project and the conclusions that were drawn, engages the listener, and knowledgeably answers questions; and
  • Attend at least six scientific seminars during the semester (each semester for a two-semester thesis) and submit a brief and clear summary of each.

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