The Body's Internet

Why do nerve cells die when you develop Alzheimer's disease? Does your brain change after you become dependent on heroin? Are there really "left brain" and "right brain" people? Do epileptics have a nervous system that is wired differently? Are certain brain chemicals lacking if you are depressed?

Answers to these questions as well as many others is the goal of one of the hottest fields of study today, neuroscience.

This interdisciplinary field explores the development, structure, and behavioral consequences of the nervous system. New research findings appear weekly about how the brain mediates behavior, thought, and feeling.

The bachelor of science program, directed jointly by the psychology and biology departments, helps students understand nervous systems from a variety of scientific perspectives.

Academic Program

Students who choose this Bachelor of Science major take 17 courses in addition to the usual college-wide requirements. The courses are distributed among foundation, core, and elective levels. Foundation courses are in biology, chemistry, and psychology. The core courses are Neurobiology, Physiological Psychology, and Advanced Neuroscience.

Students have the freedom to create their own combination of electives that reflect their particular interests (such as behavioral neuroscience or molecular neuroscience). They choose from a list of 19 specified courses in psychology, biology, philosophy, chemistry, and physics.

Although not required, students are encouraged to pursue independent study, advanced research, or honors in neuroscience. For students considering graduate school, a second semester of Organic Chemistry is recommended.

Special Opportunities

As a neuroscience major, you may choose to spend one or two semesters working with a professor on research through an advanced course, independent study, or as an EXCEL Scholar. EXCEL Scholars are part of the research assistantship program in which students work collaboratively with a professor on their ongoing research and earn a stipend.

Students who meet GPA requirements may spend two semesters working on a senior honors thesis under the guidance of a professor. Students involved in research have the opportunity to present their work at various professional meetings such as the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Northeast Undergraduate Research on Neuroscience, and Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences. They may also publish papers in scholarly journals.

You may also gain experience beyond the classroom as a teaching assistant in the lab, as a tutor, or through an internship. Students have interned recently at Stepping Stone School (special education), Weller Health Education Center, Praxis Alzheimer’s Facility, Spring Garden Children’s Center (daycare), and Kidspeace (children’s psychiatric hospital).

Research Facilities

Oechsle Hall, a new state-of-the-art teaching and research facility for neuroscience and psychology, opened in fall 2002. The building provides 45,000 square feet of space on four levels for students and faculty, including classrooms, teaching laboratories, faculty-student research laboratories, faculty offices, and student meeting areas. An animal research area, observation rooms, multimedia seminar rooms, a large lecture hall, computers, and video equipment are included in the fully networked building.

Cubicles in the laboratory rooms have links to the campus computer and video networks. Students use the cubicles to observe laboratory animals and collect research data. Other rooms are equipped for the neural and behavioral assessment of a wide variety of animals. Electroencephalograph (EEG) equipment is available to study cognitive neuroscience and facilities are available for conducting studies on humans.

After Graduation

Among the class of 2003, 50 percent of the neuroscience majors accepted full-time employment, 14 percent enrolled in health professions schools, 29 percent enrolled in other graduate programs, and 7 percent were traveling, volunteering, or applying to graduate school.

Neuoscience majors or students who have designed similar individualized majors have gone on to MEDICAL school—Albert Einstein Medical College, Syracuse, Pennsylvania; and entered graduate programs in PUBLIC HEALTH—Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (formerly Hahnemann), Johns Hopkins, Indiana; NEURO-SCIENCE—Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences; and CLINICAL NEURO-PSYCHOLOGY—Finch University of Health Sciences/ Chicago Medical School. PHARMACOLOGY—Columbia, Thomas Jefferson; SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY—Temple; OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY —Columbia; NURSING—Rhode Island; PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT—Arcadia.

The major prepares students for technical positions in research, both in an academic setting (e.g. Mt. Sinai) and industry (e.g. pharmaceutical companies).

Course of Study

Faculty

The major is directed by a group selected for their knowledge and experience in neuroscience.

Elaine Reynolds, Associate Professor of Biology and Chairperson of Neuroscience program. Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University. Teaching areas: general biology and neuroscience. Research interests: neurophysiology and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster, the fly as a model for neurological processes and disease.

Wendy L. Hill, William C. ’67 and Pamela Rappolt Professor of Neuroscience Ph.D., University of Washington. Teaching areas: physiological psychology, behavioral neuroscience, animal behavior. Research interests: behavioral neuroscience, psychopharmacology, social behavior of birds and mammals.

Lisa Gabel, Assistant Professor of Psychology Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Teaching Areas: physiological psychology, psychopharmacology and neurophysiology Research interests: the molecular mechanisms which underlie neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Fragile-X mental retardation, and epilepsy.

James R. Dearworth, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., University of Delaware. Teaching areas: vertebrate anatomy. Research interests: functional anatomical mapping and morphology of the retina.

Elaine Reynolds
Chairperson, Neuroscience Program
(610) 330-5654
reynolde@lafayette.edu

For general information:
Office of admissions
Lafayette College
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 330-5100
FAX (610) 330-5355
admissions@lafayette.edu