Neuroscience
Description
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand the functions and diseases of the nervous system. It draws on knowledge from neurobiology as well as elements of psychology and cognitive science, and mathematical and physical principles involved in modeling neural systems. Through the Neuroscience concentration, students develop foundational knowledge through courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics as well as three core courses in neuroscience. They are also required to develop facility with research methodologies (through courses in statistics and laboratory methods) before moving into specific topics in the field (e.g., visual physiology, neurochemistry and behavior, and synaptic transmission and plasticity). Members of the Neuroscience faculty are affiliated with the Brown Institute for Brain Science, a multidisciplinary program that promotes collaborative research about the brain. Prospective concentrators should contact Heather_Shalvey@brown.edu in order to have a faculty advisor assigned to them.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Survey the operations of the human brain, neural systems, and basic principles of neurobiology
- Learn to apply statistics appropriate to their chosen area of study
- Learn experimental methods applicable to a laboratory experience
- Develop their communication skills
- Engage in independent research
Requirements
Click here for a list of the Neuroscience concentration requirements. For more information about this concentration, please visit the department's website.
Honors and Capstones
View Honors websiteConcentrators may choose to complete a capstone in the form of an Honors thesis. Honors requires maintenance of a distinguished academic record in course work of the concentration and completion of a thesis meriting the Honors designation. Please visit the Neurscience concentration website for complete information on the eligibility requirements for Honors.
Liberal Learning
This concentration allows you to address the following Liberal Learning goals:
- Collaborate fully
- Engage with your community
- Develop a facility with symbolic languages
- Experience scientific inquiry
- Evaluate human behavior
Affiliated Departments
Advisors
Graduating Class
| Year | Total | Capstone | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 71 | 27 | |
| 2011 | 63 | 63 | 26 |
| 2012 | 85 | 85 | 49 |
Alumni Pathways
Neuroscience alumni often enter health careers including medicine, psychology, and public health, as well as careers in academia and in industry.
See more details on the CareerLAB website.
Dept. Undergraduate Group
Student Leaders:
- Angell Shi
- Sudhandra Sundaram
- David Stein
If you are an advisor and would like to make changes to the information on this page, contact focal_point@brown.edu, or email Dean Besenia Rodriguez.
