This minor is designed for students going into graduate studies in neuroscience, animal behavior, or psychology; students going into medicine; and 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 a core requirement, students may focus on topics of specific interest. Research experience is required.

Application

Students must complete an application and qualify for the neuroscience minor. Applications can be submitted any time after the freshman year (30 credit hours must be completed). Normally, students will be expected to have at least a 3.30 grade point average. Applications will be evaluated by the Neuroscience Education Committee, and they will be judged on overall academic merit. Application forms can be obtained from the Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Honors College and off the Web at http://zebra.biol.sc.edu/neurominor.

Opportunity to Participate in Honors College Courses

Courses suitable for the neuroscience minor may be offered as honors courses. Students minoring in neuroscience will be able to take these courses, and they will have priority registration, even over Honors College students who are not minoring in neuroscience. This will provide students outside of the Honors College with the opportunity to do course work in the Honors College.

Minor Requirements (18 Hours)

Eighteen credit hours are required to satisfy the minor. Students must complete at least two of the listed core courses (Group A) and an optional distribution of courses from a secondary list (Group C). Students must also complete 2-3 credit hours of neuroscience research experience in a participating laboratory (BIOL 399 , PSYC 498 , or SCCC 399)—these credit hours are in addition to the research or practicum hours that may be applied to the chosen major. Information about laboratories in neuroscience can be found at http://zebra.biol.sc.edu/neurominor. Additional honors proseminars or other specialized courses in the neurosciences may satisfy minor requirements in Group C, provided the course substitutions are approved by the Neuroscience Education Committee.