ABOUT
Neuroscience research has changed the landscape of scientific understanding of the inner workings of the brains of human and non-human species. The BS in Neuroscience program uses a multidisciplinary team of faculty from different departments at UA to create an undergraduate degree that focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying the brain. The main purpose of this program, that is focued on biological bases of brain and behavior, is to provide a unique opportunity for students to develop skill and knowledge that will prepare them for diverse and competitive graduate programs, medical school, and health-related sciences in general. In addition to meeting the growing interest in the field of Neuroscience, the proposed Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience degree will provide students with extensive opportunity to participate in neuroscience research and gain research experience, which is important for admission to graduate and professional programs. The Neuroscience degree will be a multi-disciplinary major, offering training in different aspects of Neuroscience including: social, cognitive, and affective neuroscience, cellular neuroscience, neuroanatomy, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and the neurobiological mechanisms of various cognitive functions.
WHY Neuroscience at UA?
The training in a field like neuroscience promises broader, diverse and higher level employment opportunities in different fields. The breadth of the interdisciplinary neuroscience B.S. curriculum at UA is such that it will ensure the graduates to be competitive for a range of jobs. The undergraduate degree also opens up possibilities for further education/training, such as through graduate school, Medical school, Master’s programs, and many other avenues which will lead to employment. The training provided in our program will allow students to pursue either advanced degrees or certification programs to qualify them in a wide range of occupations.
RESOURCES
While the neuroscience program is operating from the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, several departments and faculty participate in the program. In addition to the Department of Psychology, neuroscience majors can enroll for relevant courses from various departments, such as Biological Sciences, Philosophy, Anthropology, Physics, Communicative disorders, and colleges like Engineering, Education etc. Students also are encouraged to voluntarily participate in research labs to gain research experience during their 4-years in the program. The university also has several other resources, such as the Alabama Life Research Institute (ALRI), the MRI Center, Transportation Research Institute, Alabama Research Institute on Aging (ARIA), Center for Innovative Research in Autism (CIRA), Center for Youth Development and Intervention (CYDI) etc.
Siemens 3 Tesla Prisma MRI Scanner at the UA MRI Center
Curriculum
NEUROSCIENCE MAJOR FACULTY CONTACT
Ansley Gilpin
Professor, Department of Psychology