catalog header

Course Catalog

Neuroscience

Director: Kevin Measor
Professors: B. Swanson
Associate Professors: M. Nelson, C. Fink
Assistant Professors: D. Addleman, M. Sarrett, M. Lewis

Senior Lecturers: K. Measor

Lecturers: E. Marr

The program offers one major:

Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience major

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, encompassing aspects of biology, psychology, chemistry, physics and medicine to understand the complex mechanisms that underlie behavior, cognition, and disease. To prepare students for neuroscience-oriented careers in fields such as medicine, research, biotechnology, neuropsychology, and education, we offer a curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical experiences. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on laboratory training, students develop a deep understanding of neural function, from molecular and cellular levels to systems and behavior.

Students earning a Neuroscience degree at Gonzaga obtain:

• A comprehensive liberal arts education (through the university core curriculum)

• A foundational understanding of neuroscience principles (through core neuroscience courses)

• Interdisciplinary knowledge supporting neuroscience research (including courses in biology, chemistry, physics, human physiology, and psychology)

• The opportunity to explore specialized topics in depth through upper-division electives

• Practical skills and research experience, preparing them for graduate or professional programs, careers in healthcare, laboratory research, or combining their scientific training with other fields such as law, business, or the arts

B.S. Major in Neuroscience: 61 credits

Lower Division Requirements 38 credits
BIOL 105 Information Flow in Biological systems 3 credits
BIOL 105L Information Flow in Biological systems 1 credit
BIOL 106 Energy Flow in Biological systems 3 credits
BIOL 207/BIOL 207L Genetics and Lab 4 credits
NEUR 201 Introduction to Neuroscience 3 credits
CHEM 101/101L General Chemistry 4 credits
CHEM 230/CHEM 230L Organic Chemistry I and Lab 4 credits
PSYC 101 General Psychology 3 credits
One of the following course and lab combinations: 5 credits
PHYS 111/PHYS 111L General Physics I and Lab
PHYS 121/PHYS 121LPhysics I and Lab
One of the following course and lab combinations:
PHYS 112/PHYS 112LGeneral Physics II and Lab
PHYS 122/PHYS 122LPhysics II and Lab
Required Statistics course: (choose one course) 3 credits
PSYC 202 Statistics for Psychology
MATH 121 Introductory Statistics
MATH 221 Applied Statistics
HPHY 205 Experimental Design and Stats 3 credits
Upper Division Requirements 23 credits
NEUR 399 Scientific Communication 2 credits
NEUR 499 Neuroscience and Society 3 credits
BIOL 376 Cellular Neurophysiology  3 credits
HPHY 451 Systems Neuroscience 3 credits
HPHY 453 Neuroanatomy 3 credits
Choose at least nine credits from any of these courses in any combination from any area:
Cellular and Molecular
BIOL 374 Immunology
BIOL 375 Virology
BIOL 337 Developmental Biology
BIOL 351 Advanced Cell Biology
BIOL 331 Parasitology
BIOL 370/BIOL 370L Microbiology and Lab
BIOL 456/BIOL 456L Molecular Biology and Lab
BIOL 335 Advanced Genetics
HPHY 479 Cell and Molecular Physiology
BIOL 338/BIOL 338L Histology
BIOL 341/BIOL 341L Human Physiology and Lab
BIOL 371/BIOL 371L Vertebrate Biology and Lab
HPHY 402 Clinical Exercise Physiology
HPHY 485 Biomedical Engineering
HPHY 376/BIOL 376L Exercise Physiology and Lab

 

HPHY 478 Physiology of Aging
BIOL 441 Advanced Animal Physiology
BIOL 451/BIOL 451L Comparative Endocrinology and Lab
HPHY 452 Neuromuscular Control
Philosophical
PHIL 406 Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 404 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 437 Philosophy of Time
PHIL 478 Philosophy of Technology
Computational
BIOL 305 Biological Data Analysis
PSYC 450 Advanced Statistics in Psych
CPSC 475 Speech and Natural Language Processing
CPSC 436 Biomedical Informatics and Computing
PHYS 412 Biophysical Systems & Modeling
Behavioral
BIOL 313 Animal Behavior
PSYC 305 Sensation and Perception
PSYC 310 Cognition
PSYC 315 Learning
PSYC 390 Psycopathology
PSYC 395 Clinical Neuropsycology
PSYC 364 Abnormal Child Psychology
SOCI 354 Sociology of Mental Illness
Lower Division
NEUR 201 Introduction to Neuroscience
3.00 credits
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of neuroscience, covering topics such as the structure and function of the nervous system, neural signaling and communication, sensory and motor systems, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. Students will also learn about research in neuroscience and the methods used to study the brain.
Prerequisite:
BIOL 105 Minimum Grade: D and BIOL 105L Minimum Grade: D and CHEM 101 Minimum Grade: D and CHEM 101L Minimum Grade: D
Upper Division
NEUR 399 Scientific Communications
2.00 credits
This course focuses on developing effective scientific communication skills within the field of neuroscience. Through critical analysis of primary literature, class discussions, and presentations, students will learn to communicate scientific ideas clearly and effectively. Additionally, students will develop skills in scientific writing and learn to prepare research articles, grant proposals, and other scientific documents.
Prerequisite:
NEUR 201 Minimum Grade: D
NEUR 499 Neuroscience and Society
3.00 credits
In this senior capstone course, students will critically examine the intersection of neuroscience and society. Through readings, discussions, and presentations, students will explore how scientific advances in neuroscience impact and shape our understanding of everyday life. Students will integrate knowledge from their neuroscience major and liberal arts core to develop a comprehensive understanding of the societal implications of neuroscience research.
Prerequisite:
NEUR 201 Minimum Grade: D
 

In addition to their major and minor areas of study, all undergraduate students follow a common program designed to complete their education in those areas that the University considers essential for a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal, and humanistic education. The University Core Curriculum consists of forty-five credits of course work, with additional designation requirements that can be met through core, major, or elective courses.

The University Core Curriculum is a four-year program, organized around one overarching question, which is progressively addressed through yearly themes and questions. Hence, core courses are best taken within the year for which they are designated. First year core courses encourage intellectual engagement and provide a broad foundation of fundamental skills. Second and third year courses examine central issues and questions in philosophy and religious studies. The fourth year course, the Core Integration Seminar, offers a culminating core experience. Taken at any time throughout the four years, broadening courses intersect with the core themes and extend students’ appreciation for the humanities, arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Finally, the designation requirements (writing enriched, global studies, and social justice) reflect important values and reinforce students’ knowledge and competencies.

Overarching Core Question: As students of a Catholic, Jesuit, and Humanistic University, how do we educate ourselves to become women and men for a more just and humane global community?
Year 1 Theme and Question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?

  • The First-Year Seminar (DEPT 193, 3 credits): The First-Year Seminar (FYS), taken in the fall or spring of the first year, is designed to promote an intellectual shift in students as they transition to college academic life. Each small seminar is organized around an engaging topic, which students explore from multiple perspectives. The FYS is offered by many departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of FYS courses).  
  • Writing (ENGL 101, 3 credits) and Reasoning (PHIL 101, 3 credits): The Writing and Reasoning courses are designed to help students develop the foundational skills of critical reading, thinking, analysis, and writing. They may be taken as linked sections. Writing (ENGL 101) carries one of the three required writing-enriched designations (see below).
  • Communication & Speech (COMM 100, 3 credits): This course introduces students to interpersonal and small group communication and requires the application of critical thinking, reasoning, and research skills necessary to organize, write, and present several speeches.
  • Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104/104L, CHEM 104/104L, or PHYS 104/104L, 3 credits): This course explores the scientific process in the natural world through evidence-based logic and includes significant laboratory experience. Students pursuing majors that require science courses will satisfy this requirement through their major.
  • Mathematics (above Math 100, 3 credits): Mathematics courses promote thinking according to the modes of the discipline—abstractly, symbolically, logically, and computationally. One course in mathematics, above Math 100, including any math course required for a major or minor, will fulfill this requirement. MATH 100 (College Algebra) and courses without the MATH prefix do not fulfill this requirement.

Year 2 Theme and Question: Being and Becoming: Who are we and what does it mean to be human?

  • Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 201, 3 credits): This course provides students with a philosophical study of key figures, theories, and intellectual traditions that contribute to understanding the human condition; the meaning and dignity of human life; and the human relationship to ultimate reality.
  • Christianity and Catholic Traditions (RELI, 3 credits). Religious Studies core courses approved for this requirement explore diverse topics including Christian scriptures, history, theology, and practices as well as major contributions from the Catholic intellectual and theological traditions (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses) .

Year 3 Theme and Question: Caring and Doing: What principles characterize a well lived life?

  • Ethics (PHIL 301 or RELI, 3 credits): The Ethics courses are designed to help students develop their moral imagination by exploring and explaining the reasons humans should care about the needs and interests of others. This requirement is satisfied by an approved ethics course in either Philosophy (PHIL 301) or Religious Studies (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • World/Comparative Religion (RELI, 3 credits): Religious Studies courses approved for this core requirement draw attention to the diversity that exists within and among traditions and encourage students to bring critical, analytical thinking to bear on the traditions and questions considered. These courses carries one of the required two global-studies designations (see below) (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Year 4 Theme and Question: Imagining the Possible: What is our role in the world?” 

  • Core Integration Seminar (DEPT 432, 3 credits). The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) offers students a culminating core experience in which they integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the core, and their disciplinary expertise. Some CIS courses may also count toward a student’s major or minor. The CIS is offered by several departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of CIS courses).

The Broadening Courses

  • Fine Arts & Design (VART, MUSC, THEA, 3 credits): Arts courses explore multiple ways the human experience can be expressed through creativity, including across different cultures and societies. One approved course in fine arts, music, theatre, or dance will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • History (HIST, 3 credits): History courses are intended to develop students’ awareness of the historical context of both the individual and the collective human experience. One course in History (HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 112, HIST 201, HIST 202) will fulfill this requirement.
  • Literature (3 credits): Literature courses foster reflection on how literature engages with a range of human experience. One approved course in Literature (offered by English, Classics, or Modern Languages) will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): Courses in the social and behavioral sciences engage students in studying human behavior, social systems, and social issues. One approved course offered by Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

The Designations
Designations are embedded within already existing core, major, minor, and elective courses. Students are encouraged to meet designation requirements within elective courses as their schedule allows; however, with careful planning students should be able to complete most of the designation requirements within other core, major, or minor courses.

  • Writing Enriched (WE; 3 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the WE designation are designed to promote the humanistic and Jesuit pedagogical ideal of clear, effective communication. In addition to the required core course, Writing (ENGL 101), which carries one of the WE designations, students must take two other WE-designated courses (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Global-Studies (GS; 2 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the GS designation are designed to challenge students to perceive and understand human diversity by exploring diversity within a context of constantly changing global systems. In addition to the required core course, World/Comparative Religion (RELI 300-level), which carries one of the GS designations, students must take one other GS-designated course (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social-Justice (SJ; 1 course meeting this designation): Courses carrying the SJ designation are designed to introduce students to one or more social justice concerns. Students must take one course that meets the SJ designation (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Major-specific adaptations to the University Core Curriculum

All Gonzaga students, regardless of their major, will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. However some Gonzaga students will satisfy certain core requirements through major-specific programs or courses. Any major-specific adaptations to the core are described with the requirements for the majors to which they apply.