News Flash! The Interdepartmental Major in Neuroscience has been terminated. That major has been replaced with a new multidisciplinary curriculum in neuroscience that leads to a Degree in Neuroscience! Students may now declare the new NSCI major.

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience

Over the past three decades, neuroscience has emerged as a coherent, independent discipline, fostered by the establishment of an international professional society, the Society for Neuroscience. To obtain an idea of how the field has progressed and the opportunities for neuroscience education in nearly 200 colleges and universities, consult the latest edition of Neuroscience Training Programs in North America published by the Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs, Washington, D.C.

The University of Delaware now offers an undergraduate major and Degree in Neuroscience for students having a strong interest in the field of Neuroscience; it is administered by the Department of Psychology. Students pursuing the Neuroscience major can a curriculum that emphasizes one of two tracks: Academic vs. Professional. The Academic curriculum fufills the major's requirements-- and prepares students for graduate programs in neuroscience, biopsychology, neuropsychology, physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, and clinical psychology, as well as for technical and laboratory positions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The Professional curriculum fulfills the major's requirements plus the standard pre-med requirements, and provides excellent preparation for professional programs in medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary science, optometry, pharmacy and physical therapy. For more information on the wide range of career possibilities, see Careers in Neuroscience, and check out what’s involved in Becoming a Neuroscientist.

The Field of Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and the behavior it generates. Neuroscientists are concerned not only with the structure and function of nerve cells, but also with the brain mechanisms of learning, memory, emotions, sensory and motor functions, perception, cognition, and other mental processes. In addition, neuroscientists explore disorders of brain function that lead to conditions such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Course of Study

The interdepartmental major emphasizes the neuroscience components of biology and psychology. Since Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field, encompassing both the biological and psychological aspects of the nervous system, the student is provided with a broader perspective than would be gained from a major in one traditional discipline.

Students study the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, physics and calculus. These form a scientific foundation to the material presented in other courses in the major that focus on the structure and function of the nervous system and its relationship to behavior and mental processes.

Additional Information

For more information about this major, please contact Dr. Carlisle Skeen in Psychology (skeen@udel.edu).