Neuroscience Major

Department of Neuroscience

(440) 826-2312

OVERVIEW

Discover the fascinating, ever-growing field of neuroscience. Whether your career interest is scientific research, the medical profession or education, Baldwin Wallace's neuroscience major will help you excel in your goal.

Focused Study of Brain, Mind, Behavior

Through courses in cognitive, behavioral and molecular neuroscience, you'll delve into the intricacies of the brain and the rest of the nervous system. You'll study its normal and abnormal actions, learn about diseases and environmental factors that affect its function, and discover how breakthroughs in neuroscience are advancing our knowledge and quality of life.

Impressive Neuroscience Research

Starting as soon as freshman year, you can collaborate with professors on research spanning behavioral pharmacology, neurodegeneration, learning and memory, sensation and perception, as well as other topics. You'll gain hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection and analysis, and scientific writing - so you can experience research from its inception through completion.

Rigorous academics, faculty mentoring and extensive lab experiences prepare students for post-graduate studies and career success.
Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Ledwidge, students gain valuable research skills in BW's cognitive-communication lab.
With Dr. Clare Mathes (left) as a mentor, Delenn Hartswick '21 (right) performed research through BW's Summer Scholars program to learn new skills and prepare for a neuroscience thesis.
Benjamin Brown '15, who is now pursing an M.D./Ph.D. at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, was part of a leading research study at BW that was published in the journal Nature.

Career Opportunities in Neuroscience

Neuroscience graduates work at universities, medical schools, research institutes and in industry, such as biotech and pharmaceutical firms, and for government organizations. Students who achieve a bachelor's degree and/or pursue graduate education may become:

Research scientists
Pharmacologists
Dentists
Clinical psychologists
Veterinarians
Educators
Physicians
Pharmacists

CURRICULUM

Neuroscience is offered as a major and minor. The coursework provides a theoretical and practical framework for your studies. You'll progress from learning the basics of the structure and function of the nervous system to practical application in laboratory courses to generating original neuroscience research questions.

What You'll Learn

BW's neuroscience major prepares students to:

Become knowledgeable about the brain and its functions, including structure, physiology, pharmacology, cognition and behavior.
Explain and apply general principles of neuroscience.
Critically evaluate information about topics and research in neuroscience.
Evaluate safety and ethical considerations in neuroscience research and perform research that applies those standards.
Become effective oral and written communicators who can discuss topics and research in neuroscience.

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Small class sizes, individual attention, hands-on learning and faculty mentoring are hallmarks of the program. You'll learn from professors who hold doctorates in their subject areas.

BW Neuroscience Lab

The neuroscience complex includes rooms dedicated to imaging and stereology, behavior analysis, surgery, histology and neurophysiology. You'll be treated as a professional in the lab to promote your independent learning and critical thinking, while also benefiting from the collaboration of professors and peers.

You'll explore neural functioning at all levels of analysis - from molecular to cellular to systems to behavior to cognition. Faculty experts will help you build valuable and comprehensive research skills. Because disseminating research is an essential part of the process, you'll be encouraged to present your data and findings at scientific conferences and to seek publication in professional journals.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Society

The student-led Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Society (INS) is open to any students interested in learning more about neuroscience. INS sponsors seminars to further education on neuroscience topics, promotes community outreach through activities such as the Brain Fair, and fosters professional development through organizing and supporting student travel to professional meetings.

Nu Rho Psi

The National Honor Society in Neuroscience, Nu Rho Psi, is comprised of neuroscience students who have outstanding scholarship and a demonstrated interest in the discipline. The BW Nu Rho Psi chapter was the first-ever chapter for the honor society.

Pre-Medical Society

Delta Omega Chi, the Pre-Medical Society, sponsors medically related volunteer activities, guest speakers and tours to institutions with professional programs. This organization is ideal for students interested in healthcare professions such as physicians, physician assistants and dentists.

Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program

The BW Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program is open to Ohio residents who are entering Baldwin Wallace in the fall as a first-year student or transfer student and are interested in neuroscience. Students are eligible to apply to the program which also offers the Choose Ohio First scholarship, awarding substantial annual, renewable scholarships.