Loyola University Chicago

Neuroscience

Minor in Neuroscience

Requirements

Overview
Curriculum
Learning Outcomes

The interdisciplinary minor in neuroscience requires seven courses (17-20 credit hours) including four required courses (three foundational lecture courses and one seminar), at least two neuroscience lab courses, and one additional neuroscience lecture or lab course.

The following are required courses for the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor:

  • NEUR 101 Introduction to Neuroscience (formerly BIOL/PSYC 202). This course will introduce students to basic concepts and the variety of topics in the field of neuroscience, including neuroanatomy (gross and cellular), physiology, neural basis of behavior, malfunctions due to disease and injury, and methods used to study these areas; laying a foundation for advanced coursework in neuroscience.
  • BIOL 362 Neurobiology. The purpose of this course is to introduce major principles and concepts of modern neurobiology. An emphasis is placed upon an understanding of the electrophysiology of the neuron and the manner in which groups of neurons are organized into functional nervous systems subserving sensory, motor or integrative functions. (Prerequisites: NEUR 101 and BIOL 251 Cell Biology, which requires that you first take BIOL 101/111 and 102/112; and either CHEM 160 and 180, CHEM 101/111 and 102/112, or CHEM 105 and 106)
  • PSYC 382/BIOL 284 Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. Overview of topics and methodologies used in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience including: attention, learning and memory, language, reasoning, decision making, intelligence, emotions, social cognition, and consciousness. (Prerequisite: NEUR 101)
  • NEUR 300 Seminar in Neuroscience* (one credit hour, crosslisted as BIOL 303). Intended for neuroscience minors, this seminar will introduce students to the various neuroscience research activities that take place at Loyola and throughout the Chicago area. Topics will include research opportunities in neuroscience, ethics in neuroscience research, discussion of the brain and mind, and review of current neuroscience research topics. (Prerequisites: BIOL 101 and 102, PSYC 101, NEUR 101)

*Students enrolled in independent research in Biology or Psychology with a neuroscientist are not required to take NEUR 300.

Pre-Requisite Coursework for Required Courses

Due to pre-requisite requirements for required courses, you will need to take at least the following courses (20-22 credits) in addition to the seven courses that are part of the Neuroscience Minor:

  • PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • One year of Biology (8 credits): BIOL 101/111 and BIOL 102/112
  • One year of Chemistry (6-8 credits): (CHEM 160 and CHEM 180) OR (CHEM 101/111 and CHEM 102/112) OR (CHEM 105 and CHEM 106)
  • BIOL 251 Cell Biology (3 credits)
  • Any additional pre-requisites required for the additional three neuroscience courses below

Students should always validate the pre-reqs in the LOCUS catalog, as they can depend on the student's major.

For the required laboratory experience, students may take any two of the following courses:

Note that any lab requiring PSYC 306 will also require PSYC 304 prior to taking PSYC 306.

Electives (students must take one of the following thirteen or an additional lab course):

Former electives satisfying the requirement only for minors who declared prior to Fall 2020:

Note: NEUR 101 was formerly BIOL/PSYC 202

 

Double-Dipping with Other Majors/Minors

For students in either track of the Neuroscience Major or the Neuroscience Minor, any courses taken that count toward their Neuroscience Major/Minor may also count toward the following majors and minors:

Students may not double-major in both tracks of the Neuroscience Major or combine the Neuroscience Major with the Neuroscience Minor.  For all other majors/minors, the CAS Academic Council's double-dipping policy shall apply.

 

OTHER RELATED COURSES

Other courses related to the study of neuroscience, but NOT part of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor.

ANTHROPOLOGY

  • ANTH 103: Biological Background of Human Social Behavior

BIOLOGY

  • BIOL 302: General Microbiology
  • BIOL 251: Cell Biology
  • BIOL 282: Genetics

CHEMISTRY

  • CHEM 152: Elementary Physiological Chemistry B

MATHEMATICS

  • MATH 130: Elements of Calculus I
  • MATH 161: Calculus I

PHILOSOPHY

  • PHIL 383: Philosophy of Psychology
  • PHIL 276: Philosophy of Mind
  • PHIL 273: Philosophy of Science

PSYCHOLOGY

  • PSYC 250: Cognitive Psychology
  • PSYC 280: Judgement and Decision-Making