Neuroscience, B.S.
Academic Programs
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and all its related functions. Because the nervous system regulates so many different functions within an organism, better understanding of its inner workings require the contributions of several different research areas including psychology, biology, chemistry, physics and computer science. Therefore, as a field of study, neuroscience is interdisciplinary.
The curriculum for the major is designed to introduce students to a broad range of concepts in neuroscience while providing them with a foundation in mathematics and sciences. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience, students could pursue advanced studies and professional development in neuroscience, medicine or a related field in life sciences. The student’s knowledge base in a given area of neuroscience can be further specialized with tailored electives. Additionally, given the extent of research requirements in the curriculum, the student may have the option of pursuing a research-related career or profession soon after graduation.
The major in neuroscience will consist of nine (9) courses in the sciences and mathematics and one course in ethics. Additionally, six (6) required specialized neuroscience courses and five (5) elective courses will be developed for the major. The required courses will provide students with the foundation in essential neuroscience principles and theory as well as to develop skills associated with primary literature evaluation, experimental design, data collection, research, oral presentation and scientific writing. The elective courses will permit students to increase the breadth of their knowledge in specific areas of neuroscience and on topics that are not covered in other courses offered at Bay Path University. In total, a student majoring in Neuroscience will be required to take sixty-four (64) credits of required and elective courses in addition to the forty-three (43) credits of general education core courses. As part of the curriculum, students will be required to participate in at least one summer research program (Neuroscience Internship; NEU 498 Neuroscience Research) to provide them with research experience that might not be readily available during the academic year at Bay Path University.
Students must maintain a grade of C or better in the following courses to progress to the sophomore year within the Forensic Science program: BIO 110 Biology I for Science Majors, BIO 112 Biology II for Science Majors, CHE 120 Chemistry I and CHE 121 Chemistry II. Additional requirements for continuing within the program beyond the sophomore year are indicated within the individual course descriptions.
Student Learning Outcomes
The goal of the Science Department is to provide graduates with the requisite knowledge and skills to engage in technical careers in the biological and forensic sciences, and to proceed to graduate or professional school if desired. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience program, graduates will be able to:
- Understand key concepts in neuroscience as they relate to neuroanatomy, neural development, electrophysiology, intracellular signaling, nervous system regulation of functions within the organism, etc.;
- Develop familiarity and proficiency in basic laboratory skills in neuroscience;
- Be able to critically evaluate experimental data either via primary literature or through data generated from their own project;
- Develop proficiency to read and interpret primary scientific articles.
- Be able to design and construct experiments to test a hypothesis
- Gain hands-on research experience in at least one summer research program;
- Be able to communicate using oral or written media;
- Be able to integrate concepts from primary sources and compare it to the findings of their project to incorporate it into a coherent and thoughtful thesis, and;
- Understand the importance for attribution and acknowledgement of sources.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Understand key concepts in neuroscience as they relate to neuroanatomy, neural development, electrophysiology, intracellular signaling, nervous system regulation to functions within the organism, and more.
- Develop familiarity and proficiency in basic laboratory skills in neuroscience
- Critically evaluate experimental data, either via primary literature of through data generated from student’s own project.
- Develop proficiency in reading and interpreting primary scientific articles.
- Design experiments to test a hypothesis.
- Conduct hands-on research in at least one summer research experience.
- Communicate using oral and written media.
- Integrate concepts from primary sources and compare them to findings of student’s own project to incorporate into a coherent and thoughtful thesis, with appropriate attribution and acknowledgement of sources.
- Develop behaviors consistent with professionalism and career success.