Neuroscience Curriculum

The Neuroscience curriculum begins with foundational courses in biology and psychology. In addition, core courses are designed to facilitate student development of neuroscience concepts during or after the foundational courses are completed.

Students can focus their studies in specific areas (Approaches), which include cell/molecular and behavioral, and gain an even more focused understanding of topical neuroscience areas (Perspectives) by taking courses in areas that include biochemical and physical, computational, and philosophical and historical. Faculty advisors will guide students in course selection to ensure breadth and depth appropriate for student interests and future career goals.

Major Requirements

14 total courses:
- All 9 Foundational Courses & 5 Electives from any of the Approaches and Perspectives
- At least one course from each of the two Approaches (Cellular/Molecular & Behavioral)
- A minimum of one 4-credit lab course at the 300- or 400-level from any of the Approaches or Perspectives

Foundational Courses

PSY 100: Introductory Psychology (Social Science Core) — 3 credits
BIO 103/103L: General Biology I (Lab; Natural Science Core) — 4 credits
BIO 104/104L: General Biology II (Lab) — 4 credits
PSY/NEU 262: Behavioral Neuroscience — 3 credits
PHL/NEU 352: Philosophy of Mind — 3 credits
BIO 200: Cell & Molecular Genetics (IW2) — 3 credits
BIO 360/360L: Neurobiology (Lab) — 4 credits
PSY260/260L: Methods and Statistics is Psychology (Quantitative Reasoning Core) — 4 credits
NEU 474: Capstone (Future Signature Work) — 3 credits

Approaches

Cellular & Molecular

BIO 201/201L: Comparative Anatomy (Lab) — 4 credits
BIO 205/205L: Human Anatomy (Lab) — 4 credits
BIO 215/215L: Histology and Cytology (Lab) — 4 credits
BIO 320/320L: Developmental Biology (Lab) — 4 credits
BIO 308/308L: Modern Genetics (Lab) — 4 credits
BIO 413: Cell Signaling — 3 credits
BIO 395/396/495 or PSY 395/495 with BIO or PSY Neuroscience Faculty (per approval by Program Director) — 3 Credits OR BIO 450 Internship (per approval by Program Director) — 3 credits (cannot count more than once toward major)
BIO 405/405L: Physiology (Lab) — 4 credits
BIO 416/416L: Immunology (Lab) — 4 credits
BIO 475/476/BIO476L/479: Advanced Topics Seminar with Lab (per approval by Program Director) — 4 credits
Study Abroad (per approval by Program Director)

Behavioral

Study Abroad (per approval by Program Director)
PSY 303: Animal Learning & Cognition — 3 credits
BIO 310: Evolution — 3 credits
PSY 315: Human Neuropsychology — 3 credits
PSY 316: Cognitive Psychology — 3 credits
PSY 324: Abnormal Psychology — 3 credits
BIO 350/350L: Animal Behavior (Lab) (Oral Proficiency) — 4 credits
PSY 362/362L: Methods and Analysis: Behavioral Neuroscience (Lab; previously PSY 426 Experimental Biopsychology) (WII) — 4 credits
PSY 336: Sensation & Perception — 3 credits
PSY 363/363L: Methods & Analysis: Cognitive Psychology (Previously 416/416L: Experimental Cognitive Psychology) — 4 credits (WII) (Oral Proficiency)
PSY 314: Psychology of Aging (Diversity) — 3 credits
PSY 402/402L: Research in Animal Learning & Cognition (Lab) — 4 credits
PSY 366/366L: Methods & Analysis: Neuropsychology (Previously 405: Research in Neuropsychology (Lab)) — 4 credits
PSY 482: Drugs & Behavior — 3 credits
BIO 395/396 or PSY 395/495 with BIO or PSY Neuroscience Faculty (per approval by Program Director) — 3 Credits (cannot count more than once toward major) OR PSY 489 Clinical Internship (per approval by Program Director) OR PSY 350 Internship (per approval by Program Director)
PSY 490: Independent Study (per approval by Program Director) — 4 Credits
PSY 470: Special Topic Seminars (per approval by Program Director) — 3 credits

Perspectives

Biochemical & Physical

CHM 101/101L: General Chemistry I — 4 credits
CHM 102/102L: General Chemistry II — 4 credits
ESP 101: General Physics I (Lab) — 4 credits
ESP 102: General Physics II (Lab)— 4 credits
CHM 201/201L: Organic Chemistry I — 4 credits
CHM 202/202L: Organic Chemistry II — 4 credits
CHM 309: Biochemistry I — 3 credits
CHM 310/310L: Biochemistry Lab (Lab) — 4 credits

Computational

CSC 120: Data analytics — 3 credits
CSC 103: Introduction to Computer Science (Programming in Python) — 4 credits
MTH 217/218: Intro to Stats/Biostatistics —4 credits
MTH 109/131: Calculus I – 3 credits OR MTH 110/132 Calculus II — 4 credits

Philosophical & Historical

PSY 481: History of Psychology — 3 credits
NEU/PHL 251: Neuroethics — 3 credits
PHL 309: Biomedical Ethics — 3 credits
PHL 318: Philosophy of Science (IWI) — 3 credits

Dr. Victoria Templer

Neuroscience Program Director / Associate Professor of Psychology
Sowa 0124
401.865.1214
vtempler@providence.edu

Katie Weeks

Neuroscience Administrative Coordinator
Science Building 0105A
401.865.1989
neuroscience@providence.edu