At A Glance

Carthage’s hands-on, interdisciplinary neuroscience program explores the connections between nature and behavior by studying the structure and function of the nervous system. It prepares neuroscience majors for graduate school and a diverse range of scientific research and health care careers.

Majors

  • Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience
  • Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

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Special Programs

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Earn your neuroscience degree at Carthage

Practical, hands-on research experience is an important component for understanding the discipline of neuroscience. At Carthage, neuroscience majors begin their own research early and conduct research often, working closely with faculty to hone their skills and prepare for careers or graduate school.

The Neuroscience Program at Carthage encompasses the following:

  • The molecular and cellular basis of neuronal function
  • Nervous system structure
  • Neural correlates of behavior
  • Mechanisms of nervous system disorders

The program provides both a breadth of understanding in basic scientific principles and depth of knowledge in the emerging area of nervous system research.

  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,409,2134,2540/37299_7043_163701665847155.rev.1679342272.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,409,2134,2540/37299_7043_163701665847155.rev.1679342272.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,409,2134,2540/37299_7043_163701665847155.rev.1679342272.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,409,2134,2540/37299_7043_163701665847155.rev.1679342272.JPG 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,409,2134,2540/37299_7043_163701665847155.rev.1679342272.JPG" alt="Natalie Vitek" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,409,2134,2540/37299_7043_163701665847155.rev.1679342272.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,409,2134,2540/37299_7043_163701665847155.rev.1679342272.JPG 3x" data-max-w="2134" data-max-h="2131" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose Carthage because of its reputable pre-health program, small class sizes, and personable professors. The view of Lake Michigan is a significant bonus!”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2328-natalie-vitek">Natalie Vitek</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2277,2208/38230_9337_163701665847155.rev.1691771885.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2277,2208/38230_9337_163701665847155.rev.1691771885.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/png" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2277,2208/38230_9337_163701665847155.rev.1691771885.png 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2277,2208/38230_9337_163701665847155.rev.1691771885.png 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2277,2208/38230_9337_163701665847155.rev.1691771885.png" alt="Summer Zilisch" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2277,2208/38230_9337_163701665847155.rev.1691771885.png 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2277,2208/38230_9337_163701665847155.rev.1691771885.png 3x" data-max-w="2277" data-max-h="2208" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose Carthage because of its exceptional academic programs, supportive community, and commitment to fostering growth. The College’s reputation for personalized education aligns perfectly with my aspiration to excel as a double major/minor student.” </p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2488-summer-zilisch">Summer Zilisch</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,192,667,860/39932_bradley_szubryt_sv.rev.1717175455.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,192,667,860/39932_bradley_szubryt_sv.rev.1717175455.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,192,667,860/39932_bradley_szubryt_sv.rev.1717175455.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,192,667,860/39932_bradley_szubryt_sv.rev.1717175455.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,192,667,860/39932_bradley_szubryt_sv.rev.1717175455.jpg" alt="Bradley Szubryt '26" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,192,667,860/39932_bradley_szubryt_sv.rev.1717175455.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,192,667,860/39932_bradley_szubryt_sv.rev.1717175455.jpg 3x" data-max-w="667" data-max-h="668" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I had a gut feeling Carthage was where I belonged. I trusted my gut, and I am proud I did.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2753-bradley-szubryt">Bradley Szubryt</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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Conduct research early and often

Carthage neuroscience majors take the course Research Methods in Neuroscience during their sophomore year. In this introductory course, students work on an actual scientific project, collecting data that will be presented nationally. By learning core skills in brain research, experimental methods, and analysis early in their college career, students can pursue research on a deeper level as juniors and seniors.

Students have access to research equipment in the biology, chemistry, and psychological science departments, as well as the rodent colony in the Neuroscience Laboratory. All students are required to complete an independent research project under the supervision of a neuroscience faculty member.

Neuroscience research

 

Course You’ll Take as a Neuroscience major

A sampling of required courses and available electives in neuroscience:

  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Neuroscience Research Methods and Statistical Analysis
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Neuroanatomy and Physiology

Neuroscience courses

 

Where Carthage neuroscience Majors go

Alumni who earned a neuroscience degree from Carthage have gone on to careers in medicine, dentistry, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, veterinary science, audiology, software development, and academic and industrial research.

Employers

  • Womack Army Medical Center
  • Abbvie
  • Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
  • Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Graduate programs

  • Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Marquette University
  • University of Bonn (Germany)
  • Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Hear from Neuroscience alumni

 

Scholarships for students majoring in neuroscience

Carthage awards two full-tuition per year Math/Science Scholarships each year to incoming students. These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate ability in mathematics and natural sciences, including neuroscience, and are renewable for four years.

Apply for a scholarship now!