Dec 21, 2024  
Course Catalog 2023-2024 
    
Course Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Neuroscience Major


A minimum of 13 courses (11.5 FC) are required for the Neuroscience major.

Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.


arrow View the catalog page for the neuroscience department.   


The neuroscience major is designed for students interested in the cellular, chemical, and structural organization of the brain and the relationship between the brain’s operation and perception, thought, emotion, and behavior.

Note(s) on Requirements


  • Of the five required Cellular/Molecular and Systems/Behavioral/Cognitive perspective courses, only one course can be taken outside of the neuroscience department, as indicated by course prefix.
  • Completion of the Honors Program in Neuroscience may be substituted in place of NSCI 400  to fulfill the capstone requirement.
  • Any variation in meeting the major requirements must be approved in writing by the chair of the neuroscience department.

Transfer of Credit Towards the Major


One course taken away from Oberlin may be transferred towards the major, provided the course is judged to be equivalent in content to courses offered at Oberlin College. Requests to transfer credit towards the major should be approved prior to the student enrolling in that course by the chair of the department. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure proper transfer of credit forms are completed and placed on file in the Office of the Registrar.

Advanced placement credit for a course within the neuroscience major that is taught by another department will be accepted for credit toward the neuroscience major if the relevant department accepts advanced placement credit for the course toward its own major.

Course of Study


Students considering a major in neuroscience may wish to consult a neuroscience department faculty member during the first or second year.

Course Sequence Suggestions


Students intending to major in neuroscience should complete the following courses by the end of the sophomore year, as they are prerequisites for 300-level and above neuroscience courses:

Preparation for Post-Graduate Education


The major will serve those students interested in graduate study or professional work in any area of neuroscience or in fields such as animal behavior, behavioral genetics, biopsychology, pharmacology, clinical psychology, biotechnology, medicine, or public health. To be well prepared for graduate or professional study in these fields, students will generally need to take additional courses over and above the minimum required to fulfill the neuroscience major. Students should consult closely with their advisors to determine the most appropriate set of courses consistent with their interests and goals.

Students planning to apply to medical school may major in any subject including neuroscience, provided they take those courses required by medical schools for admission. Early in their academic careers at Oberlin, students should review the Pre-Medicine and Health Careers web page and discuss their health career plans with the current premedical program director.

Honors in Neuroscience


During the second semester of the junior year or earlier, students wishing to enter the Honors Program in Neuroscience should discuss their interest with one or more of the Neuroscience Faculty and submit a Statement of Interest Form to the Department. If a faculty member is able to work with a student, he/she will help the student develop an appropriate research project proposal. To be formally accepted into the Honors Program, a student’s research proposal is submitted to the Neuroscience Department early in the first semester of the student’s senior year. Proposals are judged for their quality and feasibility. Students whose proposals are approved enroll in NSCI 607 Research. Admission to the Honors Program requires a minimum of GPA of 3.1 in the major.

Detailed Major Requirements


Neuroscience Major Course Lists