Neuroscience • Carthage College

At A Glance

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that explores connections between nature and behavior. Neuroscientists study the structure and function of the nervous system to develop an integrated understanding of how the physical, electrical, chemical, and genetic properties of the central nervous system interact with the behaviors of a particular organism.

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Neuroscience

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Practical, hands-on research experience is an important component for understanding the discipline of neuroscience. At Carthage, neuroscience students 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 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 understanding in the emerging area of nervous system research, preparing students for graduate school and career opportunities in a diverse range of scientific research and medical/therapeutic fields.

<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/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/117,58,307,248/426_GiannaTrippiedi.rev.1638389814.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/png" srcset="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/117,58,307,248/426_GiannaTrippiedi.rev.1638389814.png 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/117,58,307,248/426_GiannaTrippiedi.rev.1638389814.png" alt="" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="190" data-max-h="190" loading="lazy"/> </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> “My advice would be to not limit your interests! Join clubs, go to events that pique your interest, and have fun with your college experience.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/478-gianna-trippiedi">Gianna Trippiedi</a> ’22</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/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/42,140,313,411/434_OliviaWolf23.rev.1638389814.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/42,140,313,411/434_OliviaWolf23.rev.1638389814.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/42,140,313,411/434_OliviaWolf23.rev.1638389814.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="271" data-max-h="271" loading="lazy"/> </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> “Neuroscience is a department that crosses over with chemistry, biology, and psychology. If someone has many science interests or they cannot decide which area to specifically major in, neuroscience is an excellent choice to get a taste of them all.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/520-olivia-wolf">Olivia Wolf</a> ’23</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/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/56,126,288,358/422_Alanna_Sullivan_2.rev.1638389814.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/56,126,288,358/422_Alanna_Sullivan_2.rev.1638389814.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/90/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/56,126,288,358/422_Alanna_Sullivan_2.rev.1638389814.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="232" data-max-h="232" loading="lazy"/> </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> “If you are interested in biology, chemistry, psychology, or even topics related to anatomy and medicine, you should look into a neuroscience major. Neuroscience is a small and rigorous department, but the major has a lot to offer for careers.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/442-alanna-sullivan">Alanna Sullivan</a> 21</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>

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 are able to 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.

A department tailored to your passions

Neuroscience majors take a balance of classes in biology, chemistry, and psychology, and are encouraged to match their elective courses with their research interests. This interdisciplinary approach, coupled with the freedom to pursue your personal interests within the field, attracts many students to the major.

Students interested in the molecular and cellular function of the nervous system are encouraged to take electives in biology.
Students interested in the behavioral correlates of nervous system function are encouraged to take electives in psychology.
Students interested in the chemical properties of the nervous system are encouraged to take electives in chemistry.