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.
- 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.
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.
Fall 2021 Semester Events
- Neuroscience Major Advising, Thursday, October 14th, 6:00 PM
- Senior Thesis Poster Session Friday, December 10th, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
- One semester/Summer-Fall Senior Theses due, Monday, December 13th by noon
Spring 2022 Semester Events
- Senior Thesis Poster Session Friday, April 22nd
- Spring One Semester/Fall-Spring Senior Theses due, Monday, April 25th
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.
