College of Arts and Letters and College of Science launch new major in neuroscience and behavior | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › College of Arts and Letters and College of Science launch new major in neuroscience and behavior College of Arts and Letters and College of Science launch new major in neuroscience and behavior Published: October 08, 2014 Author: Carrie Gates Beginning in fall 2014, the University of Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters and College of Science will offer a collaborative major in neuroscience and behavior, which will include both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science tracks. Neuroscience is a relatively young field devoted to the scientific study of the nervous system. It encompasses many different levels of analysis — from the study of molecular mechanisms in individual neurons to the evolution of nervous systems to the development of models of human thinking, affect and behavior. “The creation of the new major was prompted by a true groundswell of excitement about the discipline among current and prospective students,” said Sunny Boyd, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and the director of undergraduate studies for the new major in the College of Science. Daniel Lapsley, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology, agreed, adding that the program “will prepare Notre Dame undergraduates to take up some of the most important questions on the leading edge of science.” Students who pursue the major will take required courses and electives in approximately equal numbers from the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Psychology, including a newly enhanced introduction to neuroscience course with a laboratory component. “The rigorous neuroscience and behavior major offers students a unique education that is both broad and deep, as well as adaptable,” Boyd said. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field, the flexible curriculum may be customized to best prepare students for a variety of future careers — from biological and psychological research to clinical psychology, medicine and other health professions. Neuroscience is a distinctive feature of undergraduate and graduate curricula at many prominent liberal arts colleges and research universities, said Lapsley, the Alliance for Catholic Education Collegiate Professor of Psychology. “It is a field of study that will be central to the evolution of the discipline for decades to come.” The field of neuroscience has expanded rapidly in recent years — along with a growing understanding of the importance of research on the nervous system to other disciplines, Boyd said. Federal investment in neuroscience research is also on the rise. In 2013, President Barack Obama announced the start of the BRAIN initiative, with an initial investment of $100 million for 2014 alone. Given the tremendous growth of this important field, the deans of both the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Science look forward to offering this new path to Notre Dame students. “This is a very exciting development for the University," said Gregory Crawford, William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science. “Creating innovative, attractive curricular options that transcend college boundaries is a priority for us.” John McGreevy, I.A. O’Shaughnessy Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, also looks forward to the partnership. “I can’t recall any other major that has brought together two colleges in such an integrated way,” he said. “Because neuroscience is a fundamentally interdisciplinary program of study,” McGreevy said, “this major will provide a concentration of multiple disciplines across the sciences and humanities, and it will create a new context on campus for scholarly conversation about the nature of mind, brain and behavior.” Originally published by Carrie Gates at al.nd.edu on July 31. Posted In: Research Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 05, 2022 Astrophysicists find evidence for the presence of the first stars October 04, 2022 NIH awards $4 million grant to psychologists researching suicide prevention September 29, 2022 Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants September 27, 2022 Notre Dame, Trinity College Dublin engineers join to advance novel treatment for cystic fibrosis September 22, 2022 Climate-prepared countries are losing ground, latest ND-GAIN index shows For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn