Neuroscience Minor
The minor is designed for students going into graduate studies in neuroscience, animal behavior, psychology or medicine and for students simply interested in gaining a better understanding of their own interactions with the world. The minor will provide opportunities to develop a strong background of how the nervous system works from the social and behavioral to the cellular and molecular levels. Beyond core requirements, students may focus on topics of specific interest in the very broad field of neuroscience. Research experience in neuroscience is required.
Application
Students must complete an application and qualify for the neuroscience minor. Applications can be submitted any time after their first year of college (30 credit hours must be completed in residency at the University of South Carolina, Columbia Campus). Normally, students will be expected to have at least a 3.30 UofSC system grade point average. Applications will be evaluated by the co-directors of the Neuroscience Minor and they will be judged on overall academic merit. Application forms can be obtained from the Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences and from the neuroscience minor web page.
Degree Requirements (18 Hours)
Eighteen credit hours are required to satisfy the minor. Students must complete the required three credit Introduction to Neuroscience course and 2-3 credit hours of neuroscience research experience under an independent study number. Additional honors courses or other specialized courses in the neurosciences may also satisfy the minor requirements provided the course substitutions are approved by the co-directors of the neuroscience minor. No more than a total of six credits of independent study credits may count towards the minor.
Required Prerequisites (These courses may apply to a student's Carolina Core or College Requirements.)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 101 | Biological Principles I | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Required for the Minor (3 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 455 | Introduction to Neuroscience | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |
Research Requirement (2-3 Hours)
The independent research can be done under any major independent research codes as long as the research is in the field of neuroscience, and is approved by the co-directors of the neuroscience minor. Examples include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 399 | Independent Study | 1-6 |
| PSYC 498 | Advanced Independent Study | 1-6 |
| PSYC 598 | Individual Research | 3 |
| PSYC 599 | Individual Research | 3 |
| SCHC 399 | HNRS: Independent Study | 3-15 |
| BMEN 499 | Independent Research | 1-3 |
Electives (12-13 hours)
Select courses from the following list. In addition, one three credit independent study in neuroscience may count in the Elective group. Sometimes Honors courses and special topics courses in neuroscience are offered and these are approved on a semester by semester basis by the co-directors of the neuroscience minor.
Note that many of the courses below have prerequisites and/or co-requisites. Course instructors can always give permission to take the course without the listed prerequisites and/or co-requisites and you should consult with individual instructors if you think that you have an adequate background and would like to take the course.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 361 | Becoming Human | 3 |
| BIOL 302 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 302L | Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 405 | Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology | 3 |
| BIOL 460 | Advanced Human Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 534 | Animal Behavior | 3 |
| BIOL 534L | Animal Behavior Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 614 | Stem Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 634 | Biology of Neurological Diseases | 3 |
| BMEN 321 | Biomonitoring and Electrophysiology | 3 |
| CSCE 555 | Algorithms in Bioinformatics | 3 |
| ELCT 220 | Electrical Engineering for Non-Majors | 3 |
| EXSC 351 | Acquisition of Motor Skills | 3 |
| PHIL 351 | Mind and Nature | 3 |
| PSYC 370 | Psychology of Consciousness | 3 |
| PSYC 400 | Survey of Learning and Memory | 3 |
| PSYC 405 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 450 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
| PSYC 503 | Psychology of Drug Use and Effects | 3 |
| PSYC 507 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 560 | Advanced Topics in Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 570 | Neuroscience Laboratory | 3 |
| PSYC 571 | Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory | 3 |