The neuroscience major at Carthage reflects the interdisciplinary focus of the field. Required courses in the areas of biology, psychology, and chemistry provide a solid foundation for understanding the methods and principles of the natural and social sciences.

The major also provides an opportunity for students to choose elective courses in the above areas. 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 psychological science. Students interested in the chemical properties of the nervous system are encouraged to take electives in chemistry. 

The neuroscience major 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.

Practical, hands-on research experience is an important component for understanding the discipline of neuroscience. Majors are encouraged to work in the laboratory of a faculty member for at least two semesters to experience the process of obtaining, analyzing, and interpreting neuroscience data.

Many students choose to combine a neuroscience major with majors or minors in other disciplines. Learn more about biology, chemistry, and psychological science at Carthage.

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience must complete the following courses (48 credits):

Required Courses (36 credits)

  • BIO 1110 Molecules, Cells, and Organisms (4 credits)
  • BIO 1120 Organisms, Populations, and Systems (4 credits)
  • CHM 1010 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHM 1020 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • NEU 2100 Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience (4 credits)
  • NEU 2500 Neuroscience Research Methods and Statistical Analysis (4 credits)
  • NEU 3950 Neuroscience II: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (4 credits)
  • NEU 4000 Senior Thesis in Neuroscience (4 credits)
  • NEU 4100 Neuroscience III: Neuroanatomy and Physiology (4 credits)

Three Electives (12 credits)

  • BIO 2400 Genetics (4 credits)
  • BIO 3300 Advanced Human Anatomical Systems (4 credits)
  • BIO 3310 Advanced Human Physiological Systems (4 credits)
  • BIO 3500 Advanced Cell Biology (4 credits)
  • BIO 4310 Developmental Biology (4 credits)
  • CHM 2070 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHM 2080 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHM 3010 Biochemistry (4 credits)
  • CHM 3230 Analytical Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHM 3240 Analytical Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHM 4070 Advanced Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
  • PHY 3120 Electronics (4 credits)
  • PHY 4300 Electricity and Magnetism (4 credits)
  • PYC 2150 Sensation and Perception (4 credits)
  • PYC 2300 Cognitive Psychology (4 credits)
  • PYC 2850 Child and Adolescent Development (4 credits)
  • NEU 4900 Research in Neuroscience (1-4 credits)

Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience must complete the following courses (72 credits):

Required Courses (48 credits)

  • BIO 1110 Molecules, Cells, and Organisms (4 credits)
  • BIO 1120 Organisms, Populations, and Systems (4 credits)
  • CHM 1010 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHM 1020 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHM 2070 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHM 2080 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • NEU 2100 Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience (4 credits)
  • NEU 2500 Neuroscience Research Methods and Statistical Analysis (4 credits)
  • NEU 3950 Neuroscience II: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (4 credits)
  • NEU 4000 Senior Thesis in Neuroscience (4 credits)
  • NEU 4100 Neuroscience III: Neuroanatomy and Physiology (4 credits)

Choose one (4 credits)

  • NEU 3600 Computational Analysis in the Life Sciences or NEU 3700 Advanced Research Methods in Neuroscience (4 credits)
  • NEU 3700 Advanced Research Methods (4 credits)

Four Neuroscience Electives (16 credits)

  • BIO 2400 Genetics (4 credits)
  • BIO 3300 Advanced Human Anatomical Systems (4 credits)
  • BIO 3310 Advanced Human Physiological Systems (4 credits)
  • BIO 3500 Advanced Cell Biology (4 credits)
  • BIO 4310 Developmental Biology (4 credits)
  • CHM 3010 Biochemistry (4 credits)
  • CHM 3230 Analytical Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHM 3240 Analytical Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHM 4070 Advanced Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
  • NEU 3600 Computational Analysis in the Life Sciences (4 credits can only count as elective if NEU 3700 is also taken)
  • NEU 3700 Advanced Research Methods in Neuroscience (4 credits can only count as elective if NEU 3600 is also taken)
  • NEU 4900 Research in Neuroscience (1-4 credits)
  • PHY 2110 Physics II (4 credits)
  • PHY 3120 Electronics (4 credits)
  • PHY 4300 Electricity and Magnetism (4 credits)
  • PYC 2150 Sensation and Perception (4 credits)
  • PYC 2300 Cognitive Psychology (4 credits)
  • PYC 2850 Child and Adolescent Development (4 credits)

Two Quantitative Electives (8 credits)

  • CSC 1030 Data Science I (4 credits)
  • CSC 1100 Introduction to Computing or CSC 1810 Principles in Computer Science I (4 credits)
  • MTH 1050 Elementary Statistics or MTH 1055 Statistics for Social Justice (4 credits)
  • MTH 1120 Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MTH 1220 Calculus II (4 credits)
  • PHY 1200 Fundamental Physics or PHY 2100 Physics I (4 credits)
  • PYC 2010 Research Methods and Statistics I
  • PYC 3010 Research Methods and Statistics II
  • BIO 4100 Biostatistics

Current students: You should follow the official College Catalog from the year you entered Carthage and work with your advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.