Keck Neuroscience
Major Requirements

Students majoring in Neuroscience complete a common core program, a sequence of four electives determined in consultation with an adviser in Neuroscience, and a one- or two-semester thesis on a topic related to the four-course sequence.

Students interested in the Keck Neuroscience Major should:

• Declare your neuroscience major through your college's regular registration process.
• Verify how your college's GE requirements are met with the neuroscience major.
• Claremont McKenna College
• Pitzer College
• Scripps College
• Select a neuroscience sequence.

Neuroscience Sequence Declaration

Please complete and submit the
Neuroscience Sequence Declaration form:

Neuroscience Sequences

Neuroscience sequences are coherent groups of four elective courses to help students specialize in a core area of neuroscience. Sequences include, but are not limited to, the following topics. Please click on the link for detailed descriptions of each sequence.

• Behavioral Neuroscience pdf
• Cellular-Molecular Neuroscience pdf
• Cognitive Neuroscience pdf
• Computational Neuroscience pdf
• Motion Science & Functional Anatomy pdf
• Neuropharmacology pdf
• Neurophilosophy pdf

Current Course Offerings

This course listing is updated for the current semester.

Spring 2023 Course Listing

Senior Thesis (1 or 2 courses)

Neuroscience majors complete a two-semester or one-semester senior thesis on a topic related to the student’s elective course specialization.

• Neuroscience 188L, Senior Research in Neuroscience
• Neuroscience 190L, Senior Thesis in Neuroscience
• Neuroscience 191L* One semester Senior Thesis

*Students who choose the one-semester thesis option are required to take 5 course electives for the elective course specialization.

Spring 2023 Semester Events

• Organizational Meeting for Thesis (Spring, Fall-Spring)
  Burns Lecture Hall, 5:00 PM, Jan. 18th
• Informational Seminar on Senior Theses in Neuroscience
  Monday, April 10th, 5:00 PM
• Senior Thesis Poster Session, Friday, April 28th
• One semester/Fall-Spring Senior Theses due Monday
  May 1st by noon

Neuroscience Courses

A. Common Core (7 Courses)

• Introductory Biology (two semesters: Biology 43L-44L KS or equivalent)
• Basic Principles of Chemistry (two semesters: Chemistry 14L-15L KS)
• Foundations of Neuroscience (Neuro 95 JT) or equivalent
• Neuroscience 2*: Systems Neuroscience: Neuroscience 149 KS
• Neuroscience 1*: Cellular Molecular Neuroscience: Neuroscience 148L KS

*NEUR 095 is a prerequisite for NEUR 148L KS and NEUR 149 KS

B. Common Core Electives (3 courses): Choose any three courses (0.5 credit labs do not count)

• General Physics: Physics 30L KS, 31L KS, 33 KS or 34KS. Only one semester of physics counts
• Mathematics: Math 31 (Calculus II) or Calculus IIS PO or an approved equivalent course
• Statistics: Biology 175 KS, Psychology 91 PZ, 103 SC or 109 CM or approved equivalent course
• Computer science: Biology 133L KS, CS 5 (Harvey Mudd), MATH042 SC, MATH043 SC, Physics 99L KS or an approved equivalent course
• Research Methods: Psychology 92 PZ, 104/104L SC, 110/111L CM or an approved equivalent course

C. Elective course specialization (4-5 courses depending on thesis)

A coherent grouping of four elective courses to be determined in consultation with an advisor in Neuroscience. Areas in which a student may elect to specialize include, but are not limited to:

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience
• Clinical Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Neuropharmacology
• Philosophy of Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience

Students studying abroad are allowed to use a maximum of two courses towards their elective course specialization. Abroad courses used for the major must be approved by the Neuroscience coordinator.