Neuroscience
About
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, particularly the workings of the brain. Vitally important, the nervous system controls how we behave, how we feel and how we function.
The neuroscience major at The University of Scranton is interdisciplinary, combining biology, psychology, chemistry and physics. Of critical importance is the study of diseases, which impact the brain and other areas of the nervous system. Research seeks to understand causes and discover successful treatments. Students gain an understanding of the brain by exploring the behavioral, cellular and anatomical aspects of the nervous system.
The University of Scranton offers big school opportunities with a small school atmosphere. This includes a broad area of courses and expertise in faculty research, student research projects that are interdisciplinary and supported by student research grants, and support for attendance at national conferences.
Five Reasons to Choose Scranton for Neuroscience
Preparing You For Personal & Professional Success plus or minus
You'll learn:
- About the workings of the brain – what we know and don’t know yet
- Inquiry-based learning techniques
- Advanced problem solving skills
- Practical understanding of working in groups
- To present your study findings in papers, posters and oral presentations
- How to interact well with others
Internships
Neuroscience majors typically do research internships during the summer months at institutions that have included:
- Duke University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Rutgers University
- Thomas Jefferson Medical College
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Virginia
- Hershey Medical Center
- University of Massachusetts
- The Jackson Laboratories
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Pittsburgh
- Yale University
What You'll Learn plus or minus
Curriculum
Foundation courses for the neuroscience degree are offered through the biology, psychology and chemistry departments. Beyond that, some psychology and biology electives must be chosen.
Specific neuroscience courses are required research credits and elective special topics in neuroscience. Students are encouraged to tailor their programs to particular areas of interest, such as biology, psychology, anatomy, pharmacology, toxicology, biophysics, biochemistry or medicine.
Beginning in the first year, neuroscience majors do lab rotations with neuroscience faculty. Students learn about a new area of research every two weeks. This enables students to get to know professors and to explore the different types of research they might pursue as their studies continue.
Click here to see the curriculum.
Research
Students work with individual faculty members to conduct research in specific areas of expertise to enhance student-learning outcomes. Some research topics and approaches include:
- Behavior/circuitry changes following injury (i.e. spinal cord injury)
- Oxidative stress and its effects on different cellular processes
- Use of fluorescent and confocal imaging to follow outgrowth of neurons
- Addiction
- Process of regeneration of the central nervous system
- In vitro growth and differentiation of olfactory cells
- Studying neurotransmitters in brains
- Bat biology
Pursue Your Passion and Make a Difference plus or minus
Students interact with the outside community and serve as ambassadors for the field of neuroscience. Elementary school children are invited to help judge college student projects. The department sponsors a regional “brain bee” contest. These efforts help get young students interested in neuroscience at an early age.
University of Scranton students go to schools and libraries to speak about the study of the brain as well. In addition to the knowledge they are sharing, the process a student goes through to teach a session enables them to learn at a deeper level.
And neuroscience majors know that they are going to make an impact with their work in advancing the understanding of the nervous system and the brain.
Careers
Where will Neuroscience Take Me?
Neuroscience will take you into some of the most exciting and groundbreaking work of our time. Our graduates pursue careers in:
- University research
- Medicine
- Health
- Education
- Other areas of advanced study
Leading Employers:
You’ll find Scranton neuroscience graduates at world-class research institutions like:
- Columbia University
- Cornell Medical Center
- Drexel University
- Harvard Medical School
- New York University
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
- Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute
- University of Massachusetts
Top Graduate Schools
Just some of the prestigious graduate schools which have admitted our recent neuroscience graduates:
Medical, Dental or Veterinary Schools
- Drexel College of Medicine
- Hershey Medical College
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Salus University
- Temple University Podiatry School
- Thomas Jefferson Medical College
- Tufts Veterinarian School
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Yale Medical School
Graduate Programs
- Brown University
- Drexel College of Medicine
- Lehigh University
- University of Connecticut
- University of Scranton
- Vanderbilt University
- Villanova University
- West Virginia University
- Yale University
How Scranton Gives You a Competitive Edge
Neuroscience training is a thoroughly interdisciplinary program. Students have honed the ability to interact with other areas, which is becoming very important. As professionals, they are likely to interact with a psychologist or chemist one day, then a biologist or mathematician the next. Their experience and comfort-level in working with others will make them stand out.
Being able to demonstrate significant research experience plus having published studies or delivered national presentations will jump off of your resume as employers or admissions officers consider your application. The significant undergraduate research opportunities make a big difference in credentials.
Ultimately, demonstrated skills in problem-solving and analytical thinking, along with practiced techniques for research and collaboration give University of Scranton graduates a competitive edge.
Take the Next Step
Get the Facts
For More Information
Office of Admissions
The Estate
Scranton, PA 18510
1-888-SCRANTON or (570) 941-7540
570-941-7572
admissions@scranton.edu
Robert F. Waldeck, Ph.D.
Director of the Neuroscience Program
(570) 941-4324
robert.waldeck@scranton.edu