Neuroscience: Systems, Behavior & Plasticity

Dr. Diana S. Woodruff-Pak, Director
215-204-7321
821 Weiss Hall

pak@temple.edu

www.temple.edu/cla/neuroscience/

A major in Neuroscience enables students to pursue a curriculum in several departments, colleges, and schools at Temple University in one of the most dynamic areas of science. Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field addressing neural and brain function at multiple levels. It encompasses a broad domain that ranges from molecular genetics and neural development, to brain processes involved in cognition and emotion, to mechanisms and consequences of neurodegenerative disease. The field of neuroscience also includes mathematical and physical principles involved in modeling neural systems and in brain imaging. The undergraduate, interdisciplinary Neuroscience Major will culminate in a Bachelor of Science degree. Many high-level career options within and outside of the field of neuroscience are open to students with this major. This is a popular major with students aiming for professional careers in the health sciences such as in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, and veterinary science. Students interested in graduate school in biology, chemistry, communications science, neuroscience, or psychology are also likely to find the Neuroscience Major attractive.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience includes 53 required credits: 22 credits in Neuroscience, 6 credits in electives on neuroscience topics from a variety of participating departments, and 25 credits of co-requisite courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology. Students majoring in Neuroscience will be strongly encouraged to participate in research by taking courses in independent study as part of their elective credits for the major. Independent study opportunities will be offered in many of the laboratories of the more than 130 neuroscientist faculty members in the various colleges and schools participating in Temple University’s Neuroscience Program.

Requirements for the Major

Note: Students completing the B.S. degree in the College of Liberal Arts are not required to complete the additional college Foreign Language/Global Studies requirement.  Students need only complete the World Society requirement of the General Education Program.

All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses.

Specialization in Neuroscience

The Specialization in Neuroscience provides the opportunity for a student with a major in departments in the Colleges of Engineering, Health Professions, Liberal Arts, and Science and Technology to gain knowledge and research experience in neuroscience.  The student must apply for admission to the Neuroscience Program (application form is available on the Neuroscience web page). In order to complete the program successfully, a student must:

1. Complete three courses in neuroscience with a grade of B or better;
2. Complete one year of neuroscience research in the laboratory of a faculty member of the program;
3. Present the research results publicly;
4. Write a paper based on the research and have it approved by two faculty members participating in the Neuroscience Program.

“Specialization in Neuroscience” will be noted on the student’s transcript upon completion of the requirements.