U-NEUR-BS - Neuroscience (BS)

Like the inner workings of the brain itself, neuroscience synthesizes discovery from diverse sources of knowledge. The undergraduate curriculum in neuroscience reflects this interdisciplinary perspective and challenges students to explore knowledge across levels of analysis: from the molecular and cellular level, through the level of neural circuits within which cells are organized and interconnected, and toward the level of behavior where the functions of neural circuits and systems, including human cognition, are manifested. A comprehensive understanding of neuroscience requires knowledge of each level and integrative learning across levels. 

The principal strength of this program is that it provides rich opportunities for undergraduate students to study brain science with faculty from diverse disciplines who bring their complimentary perspectives and expertise to the classroom and laboratory. Thus, the undergraduate curriculum in neuroscience is truly a joint, interdisciplinary major/minor that draws faculty and courses from several departments, chiefly the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Students may also elect to pursue faculty-mentored research and scholarship wherever brain science discovery happens at Duke. Indeed, the broad impact of neuroscience discovery now extends beyond the academic disciplines in the natural sciences to spaces where neuroscientists collaborate and regularly interact with experts in ethics, law, business, social sciences, philosophy, engineering, the fine arts and performing arts, and the humanities. Accordingly, our neuroscience curriculum reflects this broad interdisciplinary platform for discovery and learning, with a rich offering of coursework and experiences that reflect the exciting growth of neuroscience and its increasing relevance to human flourishing, the diverse challenges facing society, and the health and wellness of all life.

Graduation with Distinction in Neuroscience

Neuroscience majors with a GPA of 3.5 or above in neuroscience courses (not including corequisites), may apply for Graduation with Distinction in neuroscience. They must also maintain at least this level of performance throughout the remainder of their neuroscience studies at Duke. Candidates for distinction will conduct and complete an original research project carried out as two terms of research independent study in neuroscience. A substantial paper (thesis), usually based on empirical research and written in publication style, and a scientific poster are required. In addition, an oral defense of the thesis will be evaluated by a committee comprising three members. One member of the committee (either the research mentor or one of the two additional committee members) must be a neuroscience faculty member from an Arts and Sciences department or be a faculty member who teaches regularly in undergraduate neuroscience. One member of the committee can be a postdoctoral fellow or an advanced graduate student who has completed their preliminary exam. The director(s) of undergraduate studies and the associate director (if applicable) are available as committee members and should be consulted if there is a question about committee membership.

Either following completion of the two-terms of independent study or, more commonly, concurrent with completion of the second-term of independent study, students aspiring to earn Graduation with Distinction in neuroscience will take Neuroscience 499 (Current Research in Neuroscience). This course includes review of directed reading and research in both theoretical and experimental neuroscience, as well as discussion of the students’ independent study projects. Emphasis is placed on the development of the ability to critically evaluate empirical research and to construct mathematical or deductive/inductive models. The final project in this course includes preparation of a formal research proposal and a review of the role of ethics in science.

Evaluation of the student for distinction is based on the written thesis, an oral poster presentation and the oral examination before the distinction committee. The evaluation committee will then decide whether the overall performance of the candidate qualifies for Graduation with Distinction in neuroscience (only one distinction level is recognized). Finally, Graduation with Distinction in neuroscience research projects will be presented as scientific posters in April during an undergraduate research forum.

Interdepartmental Major (IDM) with Neuroscience

Like the inner workings of the brain itself, neuroscience synthesizes discovery from diverse sources of knowledge. The undergraduate curriculum in neuroscience reflects this interdisciplinary perspective and challenges students to explore knowledge across levels of analysis: from the molecular and cellular level, through the level of neural circuits within which cells are organized and interconnected, and toward the level of behavior where the functions of neural circuits and systems, including human cognition, are manifested. A comprehensive understanding of neuroscience requires knowledge of each level and integrative learning across levels.

Similarly, Neuroscience may be constructed as a component of an interdepartmental major (IDM). Currently, Neuroscience allows for student-originated IDMs, which are individualized programs proposed by a student. When students craft their IDM proposal, all Trinity College guidelines must be followed (see appropriate Trinity College webpage).

Requirements for IDM with Neuroscience. Inclusive of all Trinity College requirements for a student-generated IDM, a proposal involving Neuroscience must include each of the following features. Neuroscience coursework should start with Neuroscience 101 or 102 (Biological Bases of Behavior). Next, the proposal should specify both of the core Neuroscience courses: Neuroscience 212 and Neuroscience 223. The proposal should then list the following courses, which may be taken concurrently with the core courses: one course in statistical science or computer science, one Neuroscience methods or laboratory course, two Neuroscience electives, with one of these being an upper division Neuroscience seminar (>350S or higher). While working through the Neuroscience courses listed above, a subset of co-requisite requirements for the Neuroscience major are necessary, with a total of three corequisite courses for the AB IDM plan and five corequisite courses for BS IDM plan. If both departments represented in the IDM proposal require corequisites, then any overlapping corequisite courses may be shared between departments at the discretion of Directors of Undergraduate Studies. Otherwise, students should choose among the corequisites available for the appropriate AB or BS plans of the Neuroscience major. Before completing the Trinity College Interdepartmental Major Proposal form, students must discuss the development of their plan with the directors of undergraduate studies of both majors.

Website: psychandneuro.duke.edu/undergraduate/neuroscience/requirements