Description

The Minor in Neurosciences gives highly qualified and motivated undergraduates an opportunity to pursue an academic program in Neuroscience. The emphasis includes study in systems, cognitive, and computational neuroscience in a manner that crosses the traditional boundaries of Psychology, Biological Sciences, and other related disciplines. The minor is most appropriate for students who already have a background in the biological sciences or psychology. All majors are eligible for the minor except students in the Physiology & Neurobiology (PHNB) track in Biological Sciences (BSCI). Students wishing to pursue the Minor in Neurosciences must have already completed BSCI105 and CHEM131&132 and (PSYC301 or BSCI330), all with a grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher. There are a number of science course prerequisites for the required and elective classes for the Minor in Neurosciences.  Students will be required to submit a four-year plan that includes all required courses (and prerequisite courses) for the minor with the application.  Students for whom the minor would delay their graduation will not be admitted.

Restrictions

Students may only count a maximum of two courses (6-8 credits) toward both their major degree requirements and the Minor in Neurosciences.

Students should carefully review the prerequisites for all courses listed for the Neurosciences minor.  A student without a sufficient science background may not be able to complete the minor in the allotted credits.

Students majoring in Biological Sciences-Physiology and Neurobiology (PHNB) are NOT eligible for the Minor in Neurosciences due to extensive overlap in curriculum requirements

Eligibility

In order to apply for the Minor in Neurosciences, a student must have:

1. Completed at least 30 college credits and at least 15 credits at UM.
2. Earned at least a C (2.0 GPA) in BSCI105 and CHEM131&132 or have AP equivalents.
3. Earned at least a C (2.0 GPA) in PSYC301 or BSCI330.
4. Be in good academic standing.

Application

Applications for the Minor in Neurosciences are considered three times per year on October 1, March 1, and June 1 of each year (beginning October 1, 2007). Students are notified via email regarding the status of their application within three weeks of the submission deadline. That way, students will know whether or not they will be accepted to the Minor prior to their early registration date for the next semester.

Interested students may submit an application for the minor to the Undergraduate Psychology Office (BPS 1107). Applications are available on the NACS Program website, in the Undergraduate Psychology Office, and in the College of Chemical and Life Sciences (CLFS) Academic Advising Office. Download an APPLICATION

enrollment LIMIT

The enrollment in the Minor in Neurosciences is limited to 20 students for 2007-2008.   

Academic Advising Plan

Advising for students interested in the Minor in Neurosciences is provided by the Psychology Department Advisors (BPS 1107) and a designated liaison for the Minor in Neurosciences in the College of Chemical and Life Sciences. Information about advising for the minor is available on the NACS Program website and linked from both the PSYC Undergraduate website and from the CLFS Undergraduate website.

Resource Requirements and Availability

The Minor in Neurosciences has been designed so that students have ample choice in course selection. All students in the Minor in Neurosciences must enroll in the “Topics in Neurosciences Seminar” (PSYC409) for at least one semester. Every other requirement in the Minor offers a choice of courses.

Faculty Advisors

Cynthia Moss, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Department of Biology, NACS
Catherine Carr, Ph.D., Department of Biology, NACS

Research Option and Non-Research Option for Electives

Students pursuing the Minor in Neurosciences will have the opportunity to participate in research in neuroscience for credit as part of their electives for the minor. This research component can count as one of the two elective requirements. Students who choose the research option will enroll in one of the approved research courses for a total of three credits spread over one to three terms. Students who choose this option must have their research course approved by one of the faculty advisors for the Minor. Students can earn academic credit for this research through research course numbers in Psychology, Biological Sciences, and other programs with the approval of the minor advisor. (The research project must be directly related to neurosciences and have the prior approval of one of the minor advisors in order to count toward the minor credits.)

Students who do not choose the research option will select a total of two courses from the list of electives to complete the requirements for the Minor in Neurosciences.