Neuroscience

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary experience that synthesizes discovery from diverse sources of knowledge. Our students are challenged to explore this knowledge derived from three levels of analysis: 

  • molecules within the cells of nervous systems
  • neural circuits for which cells are organized and interconnected
  • behaviors that emerge from the functions of neural circuits

The integration of these analyses makes neuroscience an exciting adventure of exploration and discovery. To major in neuroscience is to engage in one of the most satisfying endeavors that an education in liberal arts and sciences can offer. 

Now more than ever, the broad impact of innovation in neuroscience is extending beyond the traditional academic disciplines where the brain sciences emerged. New dialogue and collaboration exists among neuroscientists and experts in law, business, social sciences, philosophy, the arts, and the humanities. Accordingly, our curriculum in neuroscience reflects this broadening interdisciplinary platform for discovery and learning, with a rich offering of learning experiences that reflect the exciting growth of neuroscience and its increasing relevance to real-world problems. 

Students studying neuroscience are provided rich opportunities to study the brain with faculty from a number of diverse disciplines and perspectives. Our undergraduate curriculum is taught by faculty from many departments, chiefly the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience and the Department of Biology, both of which are in Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, and the Department of Neurobiology in the Duke University School of Medicine and the Biomedical Engineering Department in the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University.

Our Offerings

The Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience offers Bachelor of Arts (AB), Bachelor of Science (BS), Interdepartmental (IDM), and minor degrees. Although the requirements to fulfill the AB and BS are similar, there are some key differences between the two.