Brain of larval Drosophila, GFP fluorescence driven by p-element, C161 fly, Williams & Smith 2002, confocal image by Vogt REQUIREMENTS: A 3.3 GPA after completion of 30 hrs. Requires 18 credits from 3 catagories: (A) at least two of three core courses (6-10 credits); (B) independent study (2-3 credits); (C) additional courses from list (to 18 credits). Submit applications to the office of Undergraduate Dean of Arts and Sciences: Natural Sciences in Rm 109, Jones Physical Sciences Center; Liberal Arts in Rm 258, Gambrell Hall. See Description and Application Link for details.

The Neuroscience Minor

Students from all disciplines at USC are invited to explore the nervous system thorough this Minor. Interest in the nervous system might come from many directions:
  • interest in understanding who and what you are;
  • interest in a deeper understanding of the creative process;
  • interest in understanding the essence of consciousness;
  • interest in understanding mechanisms and processes underlying social interaction;
  • interest in the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases;
  • interest in animal behavior (human and non-human), the mechanisms underlying behavior, or the evolution of behavior;
  • interest in the mechanisms governing animal/human interactions with the external world;
  • interest in a deeper understanding of a specific type of cell and tissue that governs virtually every aspect of you physiological being;
  • interest in understanding the computational design of the nervous system and perhaps transfer elements of that natural design to engineered and computational applications of human endeavor.

    COURSES: Study of the Nervous System covers a very broad landscape. The Minor has identified courses offered at USC which empower students to explore this landscape in the context of a student's specific interests. Some of these courses are required, viewed to establish a core understanding, while others are elective, aimed at providing content to augment specific interests. For example, students interested in more philosophical aspects of the brain might consider courses such as Philosophy of the Mind or Neurobiology of Culture. Others with a more mechanistic orientation, perhaps with interests in pharmacology or the molecular biology / biochemistry or cell biology of neurons should consider courses with a focus on cellular and molecular processes. Students with a strong interest in psychology or behavior might consider the many course offerings focused on these subjects. Or students may view this as an opportunity to cross disiplines, to explore subjects far removed from their major, but nevertheless highly relevant their current and future lives.

    INDEPENDENT STUDY: Independent Study is a requirement of the Minor. Independent Study allows students to gain hands on experience and to tailor that experience very closely to their individual interests. It offers students maximum freedom to participate in their own education. Because Independent Study requires a mentor and the community of scholars surrounding that mentor, Independent Study allows students to develop valuable professional relationships; Independent Study can provide a valuable enrichment of the educational experience that can strongly influence future opportunities.

    In the Sciences, Independent Study typically takes the form of a Research Experience in a mentor's laboratory, and a Research Experience is strongly encouraged for students interested in Graduate School or Medical School. However, for students with non-science/medical goals, other types of Independent Study might be more relevant. For example, students in the Arts might be interested in exploring the psychological or neural bases of creativity, and might wish to explore this subject through an Independent Study involving creative composition in media, music, theater or dance. Students of Philosophy may wish to use Independent Study to explore the nature of consciousness or the bioethical nature of brain research.

    USC Faculty willing to serve as Independent Study mentors in both the Sciences and the Arts are listed on the Faculty & Reseach page. This lists spans many departments and interests, and illustrates the intellectual breadth of Neuroscience.

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    In accordance with USC Policy ACAF 7.04 the following information is included:
    Department: Biological Sciences; Website Maintainer: Richard Vogt vogt@biol.sc.edu
    Copyright 2008 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina.
    This is <URL:http://zebra.biol.sc.edu/neurominor/overview.html> last modified 03 September 2005