The goal of the Neuroscience major is to provide rigorous and comprehensive training in Neuroscience that prepares students for a variety of different career paths. Our curriculum provides students with a basic understanding of the brain and nervous system, equips students with critical thinking skills, exposes students to current research methodologies, and gives students a broad intellectual foundation to explore relationships between neural processes and human behavior. The Neuroscience major encourages faculty and students to participate in collaborative research and emphasizes the interdisciplinary roles of neuroscience in the humanities. The B.S. in Neuroscience is designed for students seeking a career in neuroscience research or medicine or similar research or natural science related careers. The B.A. provides a broader curriculum for students who might be interested in teaching, counseling, advocacy, business, law, ethics, art, or other related fields. The requirements for completion of Neuroscience degree programs are those in effect at the time of the declaration of the major, as the curriculum and the departmental requirements may change slightly during the student’s period of residence.
To graduate with a major in Neuroscience, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in required and elective NEU, BIO, and PSY courses taken for the major at Wake Forest. Courses taken in BIO and PSY that are not part of the major will not be included in the GPA calculation.
Policies for transfer and AP credits for non-NEU designated courses are set by the biology and psychology departments, as outlined in their bulletin sections. Transfer credits will be considered on a case-by-case basis for NEU designated courses. Transfer credit from non-WFU study abroad programs will be approved as a 500 or 520 designated course. Transfer courses approved as 500 will count as elective credit for the major (limit of 3 credits). Transfer credit approved as 520 will count as general elective credit towards graduation.
Policies for the Majors and Minors and other Programs of Study
- The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience cannot be used as a double major with Biology or Psychology.
- Due to the number of shared courses, a Neuroscience Major cannot declare a minor in Biology or Psychology.
Program of Study GPA Calculation
All courses that could potentially fulfill a program of study requirement will be utilized in the calculation of the student’s program of study GPA.
Contact Information
Neuroscience
Neuroscience (NEU)
NEU 200 is the first NEU core course that a student must complete. It has prerequisites
that must be completed first. NEU 200 must be taken before any other NEU course may be completed.
A maximum of two hours of research in neuroscience (NEU 391) may be applied toward the major, but additional hours in research (NEU 392 - NEU 394) may be taken and applied as elective hours towards graduation. Research courses should be taken in consecutive order. Only NEU majors are eligible to receive NEU credit for research.
NEU 200. Introduction to Neuroscience. (3 h)
Explores brain structure, function and behavior through the study of fields such as neurophysiology, sensory biology, psychopharmacology, and cognitive neuroscience. P-PSY 151, BIO 150 and BIO 150L, and P or C-BIO 160 and 160L.
NEU 220. Survey of Neuroscience and the Humanities. (3 h)
Explores the intersections between neuroscience and disciplines such as philosophy, literature, art and ethics, examining how brain science shapes our understanding of human experience. P - NEU 200.
NEU 221. Neuroscience and Art. (3 h)
Explores the intersections between neuroscience and creative expression and the perception of art. P- NEU 220.
NEU 222. Neuroscience and Movement. (3 h)
Explores the intersections between neuroscience and movement such as dance and exercise. P- NEU 220.
NEU 223. Neuroscience and Music. (3 h)
Explores how the brain perceives, processes, and creates music. P-NEU 220.
NEU 224. Neuroscience and History. (3 h)
Explores the intersections between neuroscience and history. P-NEU 220.
NEU 225. Neuroscience and Literature. (3 h)
Explores how the brain informs literary processes such as storytelling, language and imagination. P-NEU 220.
NEU 226. Neuroscience and Economics. (3 h)
Explores how the brain processes decision making, risk taking and reward evaluation in relation to economics. P-NEU 220.
NEU 227. Neuroscience and Ethics. (3 h)
Explores the intersection of neuroscience and ethical topics such as moral reasoning, free will. P- NEU 220.
NEU 354. Neuroscience Methods. (3 h)
Examines principles of neuroscience experimental methods ranging from the molecular and cellular to the behavioral and cognitive. P-STA111 and NEU 200, C-NEU 354L.
NEU 354L. Neuroscience Methods Lab. (1 h)
Laboratory study of experimental methods in neuroscience ranging from the molecular and cellular to the behavioral and cognitive. Lab-3 hours. C-NEU 354.
NEU 389. Neuroscience Seminars. (3 h)
Consideration of current neuroscience topics. Course will include research presentations and readings from the primary literature to accompany the presentations. P-NEU 354 and senior standing. Credit cannot be given for both NEU 300 and NEU 389.
NEU 391. Research in Neuroscience. (2 h)
Supervised independent laboratory investigation in neuroscience. P-Prerequisite override required.
NEU 392. Research in Neuroscience. (2 h)
Continued supervised independent laboratory investigation in Neuroscience. Not to be counted toward the minor. P-NEU 391 and prerequisite override required.
NEU 393. Research in Neuroscience. (2 h)
Continued supervised independent laboratory investigation in Neuroscience. Not to be counted toward the minor. P-NEU 392 and prerequisite override required.
NEU 394. Research in Neuroscience. (2 h)
Continued supervised independent laboratory investigation in Neuroscience. Not to be counted toward the minor. P-NEU 393 and prerequisite override required.
Director, Teaching Professor of Biology and Neuroscience Katy Lack
Associate Director, Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Melissa Maffeo
