Course Planning for New and Exploring Students
The neuroscience major includes foundational courses, core courses, and upper-level electives. Several of the foundational and core courses also serve as prerequisites for many advanced courses in the major. These key introductory courses include:
- BIOL 130: Cellular Form and Function
- BIOL 150: Organismal Form and Function
- NESC 200: Foundations of Neuroscience
- STAT 107: Principles of Statistics
Students who are considering a Neuroscience major are encouraged to complete two-four of these introductory courses during their first year. One important sequencing note: BIOL 130 is a prerequisite for both BIOL 150 and NESC 200, and NESC 200 is offered only once each year in the spring term. For this reason, it is helpful to take BIOL 130 in the fall or winter of the first year so that NESC 200 can be taken in the spring. That said, it is not required to complete these courses in the first year. Students can still successfully complete the Neuroscience major even if they begin this sequence in the second year.
Because lab courses require a significant time commitment, we also recommend that first-year students take no more than one lab course per term.
Examples of possible schedules for the first and second year for Neuroscience majors:
Option A:
Option B:
Option C:
Option D:
* The Chemistry department strongly encourages students to take the ALEKS exam before enrolling in CHEM 115. For students who prefer a gentler onboarding to the introductory chemistry sequence, it is recommended they take CHEM 113: Mathematical Practices in Chemistry (3 units) concurrently with CHEM 115.
AP/IB Credit and Advanced Placement
Students who have earned AP or IB credit in biology are exempt from BIOL 130: Cellular Form and Function, but not the other introductory courses in the major. Students without AP/IB credit can opt to take a departmental exemption exam for either BIOL 130: Cellular Form and Function and/or BIOL 150: Organismal Form and Function if they feel well qualified based on previous coursework. Contact the biology department chair for more information. Meanwhile, students with a strong background in chemistry who pass the online chemistry placement exam can skip CHEM 115: Principles of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity and begin with CHEM 116: Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics.
Declare a Major/Minor
All students are expected to declare a major before the end of sophomore year. Ideally, sophomore students will declare a major (and switch to an advisor in the major) before advance registration advising begins in spring term.
Major Advising
All students will transition to a major advisor upon declaration. The major advisor will help students plan their coursework to satisfy requirements for the major, select courses in other areas to complement the major or satisfy personal interests, and prepare for their Senior Experience. Prospective neuroscience majors can consult with any of the affiliated faculty about serving as a major advisor:
- Elizabeth Becker, Associate Professor of Neuroscience
- Judith Humphries, Associate Professor of Biology
- Brian Piasecki, Associate Professor of Biology
- Chunyue Teng, Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
- Nancy Wall, Associate Provost and Associate Professor of Biology
Add a Major Advisor
Need help identifying an advisor in the major? Students can contact advising@lawrence.edu for assistance with advisor matching.
Minor Advising
Students do not need an official advisor for the neuroscience minor. Instead, neuroscience minors are encouraged to consult with the program director or other neuroscience faculty for advice on course selection and satisfying minor requirements.
Additional Student Resources
If you still have questions about advising support related to the neuroscience program, we invite you to contact the program director.