Neuroscience

What You Will Learn

1. How to use foundational neuroscience principles and how to apply them to real-life problems found in nature.
2. How to develop your own hypothesis and design experiments to test them.
3. How to demonstrate and articulate the ways science is applied in the modern world.
4. How to write and speak effectively about scientific concepts and critically evaluate published scientific literature. 

Required Coursework

Common core courses

All Neuroscience students take the classes listed below. NEUR 095 JT should be taken early, as it is a prerequisite for the other two Neuroscience courses in the common core.

• Introductory Biology: BIOL 043L KS – Introductory Biology (Fall) and BIOL 044L KS – Introductory Biology (spring) or equivalent
• Basic Principles of Chemistry: CHEM 014L KS – Basic Principles of Chemistry (fall) and CHEM 015L KS – Basic Principles of Chemistry (spring) or an equivalent
• Introductory Neuroscience: NEUR 095 JT – Foundations of Neuroscience or an equivalent
• Neuroscience 1: NEUR 148L KS – Cellular Molecular Neuroscience
• Neuroscience 2: NEUR 149 KS – Systems Neuroscience

Common core electives

In addition to the common core Neuroscience courses, all Neuroscience students take three elective courses from the list below.

• General Physics for the Life Sciences: Only one semester of courses from the list below will count toward the elective requirement.
  • PHYS 030L KS – General Physics for the Life Sciences (fall)
  • PHYS 031L KS – General Physics for the Life Sciences (spring)
  • PHYS 033L KS – Principles of Physics (fall)
  • PHYS 034L KS – Principles of Physics (spring)
• Mathematics: MATH 031 PZ – Calculus II or an approved equivalent course
• Computer Science: Choose any of the following courses. Students can also consult with an advisor to find an approved equivalent course.
  • NEUR 133L KS – Introduction to Computational Neuroscience
  • CSCI 005 HM – Introduction to Computer Science
  • MATH 042 SC – Introduction to Python and Data Analysis
• Research Methods: Choose any of the following courses. Students can also consult with their advisor to find an approved equivalent course.
  • PSYC 092 PZ – Research Methods
  • PSYC 104 SC – Research Design in Psychology
  • PSYC 104L SC – Research Design in Psychology (Lab)
  • PSYC 110 CM – Research Methods
  • PSYC 11L CM – Research Methods Practicum

Elective course specializations

During their time at Pitzer, all Neuroscience students work with their faculty advisor to construct a four- or five-course curriculum in a particular area of specialization. For more information on Neuroscience specializations, see our course catalog.

Senior thesis

All Neuroscience majors complete a one– or two–semester senior thesis on a topic related to their specialization. The thesis requirement is fulfilled by the following options:

• One-Semester Thesis: NEUR 191 KS – One-Semester Senior Thesis (if you pursue this option, you are required to complete five courses in your area of specialization)
• Two-Semester Thesis: NEUR 188L KS – Senior Research in Neuroscience (First Semester) and NEUR 190L KS – Senior Research in Neuroscience (Second Semester).