Course selection advice for Neuroscience

Given the 'vertical' nature of the natural sciences, where knowledge and skills build from a set of foundations, a number of the courses in the Neuroscience major have pre-requisites. Therefore, it is recommended that you take most of the foundation courses (BIOL 112, PSYC 110, PSYC 120, CHEM 107 and CHEM 108) during your first four semesters. Similarly, you should also take NEUR 201-Introduction to Neuroscience and, if possible, NEUR 256-Neurobiology during that time. That accounts for 7 courses out of 16 that you will take in your first two years (considering 4 courses per semester). The timing is not critical, but note that PSYC 120 requires PSYC 110 and CHEM 108 requires CHEM 107, so they must be taken in that order. The remaining spots can be filled with Common Core courses.

A possible course schedule could be: Fall of Freshman year (First Year Seminar, PSYC 110, MATH 125 or 161, NEUR 201), Spring of Freshman year (BIOL 112, PSYC 120, two Common Core courses). Fall of Sophomore year (NEUR 256, CHEM 107, NEUR elective, a Common Core course), Spring of Sophomore year (CHEM 108, NEUR elective, two Common Core courses).

As mentioned above, the specific timing is not as important as making sure you take the foundation and core courses mentioned in your first two semesters.

Other General Advice

We recommend you keep the following in mind when planning your trajectory as a Neuroscience major

  • It is never recommended that students take more than two lab courses in a semester, particularly during their first year of college.
  • For students that have struggled with CHEM 107 we would recommend against taking CHEM 108 at the same time as BIOL 112.
  • It is recommended you take PYSC 120 during your first three semesters at Lafayette as it serves as a prerequisite to a number of the PSYC courses in the major.
  • If possible, you may want to consider not taking another lab course the same semester you take CHEM 221.
  • All Neuroscience Core courses: NEUR 201-Introduction to neuroscience, NEUR256-Neurobiology, NEUR323-Physiological Psychology 2 and NEUR401-Advanced Neuroscience must be taken on separate (not necessarily consecutive) semesters in that order. Both NEUR 256 and NEUR 323 are prerequisites to NEUR 401. Therefore, you should make sure both classes are completed before the spring semester of your senior year.
  • If you are planning on studying abroad, please be cognizant of the fact that you may not be able to take courses that count towards the Neuroscience major while abroad. Coming up with a plan early in your college career to assure you can complete these classes outside this semester will make it easier to go abroad.