Program Overview

Neuroscience Undergraduate Certificate

The undergraduate Certificate Program in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program requiring 20 credits of training in Neuroscience. The Program provides a group of related courses capped by a research experience. The Program is likely to be of particular interest to students who want to pursue graduate or professional training, but it is intended to appeal to any student interested in Neuroscience.

Requirements

• The two entry-level courses:
  • BIOL 1831: Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms (MOTR BIOL 150L)
  • or BIOL 1012: General Biology: The Science of Life (MOTR BIOL 100)
  • or BIOL 1102: Human Biology (MOTR LIFS 150)
  • PSYCH 2211: Introduction to Biological Psychology
• Select one of the following statistics courses:
  • BIOL 4122: Biostatistics
  • MATH 1320: Introduction to Probability and Statistics
  • PSYCH 2201: Psychological Statistics
  • SOC 3220: Quantitative Data Analysis in Social Science Research
• Electives:
  • Select two of the following:
    • BIOL 1131: Human Physiology and Anatomy I
    • BIOL 1162: General Microbiology
    • BIOL 2012: Genetics
    • BIOL 2482: Microbiology
    • BIOL 3102: Animal Behavior
    • BIOL 3622: Cell Biology
    • BIOL 4502: Evolution of Cognition
    • BIOL 4822: Principles of Neuroscience
    • CHEM 1052: Chemistry for the Health Professions (MOTR CHEM 100)
    • CHEM 4712: Biochemistry
    • CMP SCI 4300: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
    • CMP SCI 4340: Introduction to Machine Learning
    • HONORS 3030: Advanced Honors Seminar in the Social and Behavioral Sciences
    • HONORS 3160: Honors Writing in the Sciences
    • PHIL 2280: Minds, Brains, and Machines
    • PHIL 3378: Philosophy of Mind
    • PHIL 3380: Philosophy of Science
    • PHIL 4478: Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of Language
    • PHIL 4479: Philosophy of Cognitive Science
    • PHIL 4480: Topics in Philosophy of Science
    • PHYSICS 4347: Introduction to Biophysics
    • PSYCH 4300: Introduction to Psychopharmacology: Drugs and Mental Illness
    • PSYCH 4340: Introduction to Human Neuroanatomy
    • PSYCH 4349: Human Learning and Memory
    • PSYCH 4350: Emotions and the Brain
    • PSYCH 4372: Introduction to Social Neuroscience
    • PSYCH 4374: Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology
• Select at least 3 credits from one or more semesters of research experience:
  • BIOL 4905: Research
  • CHEM 3905: Chemical Research
  • CMP SCI 4880: Individual Studies in Computer Science
  • PHIL 4450: Special Readings in Philosophy
  • PHYSICS 3390: Research
  • PSYCH 3390: Directed Research in Psychology
• Total Hours: 20

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, certificate earners will be able to:

• Describe the molecular, cellular, and tissue-level organization of the central and peripheral nervous system.
• Understand the properties of cells that make up the nervous system including the propagation of electrical signals used for cellular communication.
• Relate the properties of individual cells to their function in organized neural circuits and systems.
• Explain how the interaction of cells and neural circuits leads to higher level activities such as cognition and behavior.
• Engage in research, generate testable scientific hypotheses, design experiments, and collect, analyze, and interpret data through collaborative research projects, lab work, internships, and coursework.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating neuroscience primary literature.
• Effectively communicate scientific information in written and oral formats; prepare and formally present a scientific paper or poster about neuroscience research, including communication of quantitative data in statistics, graphs, and tables.
• Create a career development plan that matches an accurate self-assessment of abilities, achievement, motivation, and work habits with specific job opportunities in the neurosciences.