Course description
The program in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program of the five Claremont Colleges. The major program draws on courses offered by all five Colleges. This major provides preparation for graduate work in biology, psychology, neuroscience, as well as preparation for medical school,or a profession in the health sciences - although admission to particular advanced degree programs is likely to require some additional course work.
The major in Neuroscience requires as a minimum program the completion of sixteen courses as outlined below. Students complete one of two tracks: the Cellular and Molecular Track or the Cognitive and Behavioral Track. Both tracks require a common core program and electives should be discussed with a faculty member in Neuroscience. Alternative courses may be substituted in several cases for the courses listed below. Please obtain prior approval for any course substitutions from Professor Copp or Professor Chase.
Core Courses
1. Psychology 95/Biology 95, Foundations of Neuroscience
2. Biology 43-44, Introductory Biology
3. Chemistry 14, 15, Basic Principles of Chemistry OR Chemistry 29, Accelerated General Chemistry
Cellular and Molecular Track: the first 5 are required courses
1. Chemistry 116, Organic Chemistry (with laboratory)
2. Biology 149, Neurobiology
3. Biology 170, Molecular Biology, or 157, Cell Biology, or 177, Biochemistry
4. Mathematics 30 (or higher), or Psychology 114, or Biology 175
5. Biology 188-190, Senior Program and Senior Thesis in Biology
Majors following the Cellular and Molecular track must complete 5 elective courses selected from groups A and B listed below; no more than 2 courses may be selected from Group B. Students may not count required courses listed in Group B for both a required course and a Group B elective course. For course offerings, prerequisites, and availability, please check the appropriate college catalogs and the Schedule of Courses. Students are urged to discuss their course selection with their major advisor.
6. Group A (3-5 courses)
- Biology 154, Animal Behavior
- Psychology 146, Physiological Psychology
- Course in Comparative Endocrinology (Biology 144po)
- Course in Topics in Neurobiology (Biology 186hm)
- Course in Neuropharmacology (Psychology 148pi)
- Course in Neuroethology (Neuroscience 102po)
- Course in Neural Networks (CSCI 152hm)
7. Group B (up to 2 courses)
- Biology 157, Cell Biology
- Biology 170, Molecular Biology
- Biology 143, Genetics
- Biology 151, Developmental Biology
- Biology 131 or 132, Animal Physiology
- Chemistry 117, Organic Chemistry
- Chemistry 177, Biochemistry
- Chemistry 121 or 122, Physical Chemistry
- Physics 30, 31, 33, or 34, General Physics or Principles of Physics
Cognitive and Behavioral Track: 7.5 credits are required from the first 6
1. Psychology 30, Introductory Psychology
2. Course in Cognitive Neuroscience with lab (Psychology 123sc and 123Lsc, or Psychology 171po)
3. Psychology 146, Physiological Psychology
4. Psychology 100 and 100L, Research Methods, or 110 and 111L
5. Mathematics 30 (or higher), or Psychology 114, or Biology 175
6. Biology 188-190, Senior Program and Senior Thesis in Biology
Majors must select 4 elective courses selected from Group C and Group D listed below; no more than 2 courses may be selected from Group D; one course may be selected from 2, the Cell Molecular Track (see above). For course offerings, prerequisites, and availability, please check the appropriate college catalogs and the Schedule of Courses.
7. Group C (2-4 courses)
- Course in Human Neuropsychology (Psychology 114pi)
- Course in Perception (Psychology 106pi, 115bpi or 160po)
- Course in Neural and Behavioral Development (Psychology 128pi)
- Course in Sensation and Perception (Psychology 124sc or 115api)
- Course in Memory and Learning (Psychology 162po)
- Psychology 65, Behavioral Psychology (or course in Behavioral Neuroscience, like Psychology 143po)
- Seminar in Physiological Psychology (Psychology 188pi)
- Seminar in Neuropsychology (Psychology 192pi)
- Course in Biological Basis of Psychopathology (Psychology 180wpo)
8. Group D (up to 2 courses)
- Psychology 70, Abnormal Psychology
- Course in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (Psychology 125pi)
- Course in Cognition (Psychology 126pi, 105hm, or 161hm)
- Seminar in Cognition Psychology (180fpo, 180ipo, or 180jpo)
- Philosophy 135, Philosophy of Mind
- Course in Child Development (Psychology 110sc, 104hm, 108po)
- Course in Psychology of Women (Psychology 125po)
- Course in Adolescent Psychology (Psychology Psychology 111sc)
- Course in Cognitive Development (Psychology 154pi, 120sc, 120hm)
- Psychology 150, Child Psychopathology
- ID 144, Culture and Psychobiology of Pain
Recommended for both Tracks: Mathematics 31 (or higher), or any advanced statistics course
