Bachelor of Science with a Major in Cognitive Neuroscience
The bachelor of science in cognitive neuroscience degree program addresses the fundamental theories, methods, and results involved in neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, and the study of complex behavior. The major takes an integrated and rigorous approach that emphasizes convergence between the subfields of cognitive neuroscience and skill in presenting compelling neuroscientific arguments in both written and oral form. Students with sufficient interest and skill assist in undergraduate research and external internships.
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Program-specific curriculum:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required | ||
11 to 14 credits in introductory natural science courses, including 8 credits in biological sciences and 3 or 6 credits in mathematics. | ||
BISC 1111 | Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules | |
BISC 1112 | Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms | |
MATH 1220 & MATH 1221 | Calculus with Precalculus I and Calculus with Precalculus II | |
or MATH 1231 | Single-Variable Calculus I | |
Two courses in analytical methods (6 credits) selected from the following: | ||
BISC 2584 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | |
CSCI 1012 | Introduction to Programming with Python | |
STAT 1127 | Statistics for the Biological Sciences 1 | |
Three gateway courses (9 to 10 credits) that introduce core concepts selected from the following: | ||
ANAT 2160 | Human Functional Neuroanatomy | |
or SPHR 2106 | Neural Substrates of Speech, Language, and Hearing | |
ANTH 1005 | The Biological Bases of Human Behavior | |
BISC 2320 | Neural Circuits and Behavior | |
PHIL 1153 | The Meaning of Mind | |
PHIL 2045 | Introduction to Logic | |
PSYC 2014 | Cognitive Psychology | |
PSYC 2015 | Biological Psychology | |
Six intermediate content courses (18 credits), which must include two courses from each of the following three groups: | ||
Cellular/molecular/systems neuroscience | ||
ANTH 3413 | Evolution of the Human Brain | |
BISC 2220 | Developmental Neurobiology | |
BISC 3320 | Human Neurobiology | |
Cognitive neuroscience | ||
PSYC 3118 | Neuropsychology | |
PSYC 3121 | Memory and Cognition | |
PSYC 3122 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
PSYC 3124 | Visual Perception | |
SPHR 2133 | Autism | |
SPHR 3116 | Brain and Language | |
Cognitive science | ||
PHIL 3121 | Symbolic Logic | |
PHIL 3153 | Mind, Brain, and Artificial Intelligence | |
SPHR 2131 | Language Acquisition and Development | |
SPHR 2135 | Language: Structure, Meaning, and Use | |
One research/laboratory experience (3 to 4 credits). This requirement may be fulfilled by one semester of guided or independent research in ANTH, BISC, CHEM, PHIL, PSYC, or SPHR, or one of the following options: 2 | ||
BISC 2452 & BISC 2453 | Animal Behavior and Animal Behavior Lab | |
PSYC 4106W | Research Lab in Sensation and Perception | |
PSYC 4107W | Research Lab in Cognitive Neuroscience | |
Electives | ||
Four advanced content courses (12 credits) selected from the following: | ||
ANTH 3413 | Evolution of the Human Brain | |
ANTH 3491 | Topics in Biological Anthropology 3 | |
ANTH 3601 | Language, Culture, and Cognition | |
ANTH 3603 | Psycholinguistics | |
ANTH 3691 | Special Topics in Linguistic Anthropology 3 | |
BISC 2220 | Developmental Neurobiology | |
BISC 2452 & BISC 2453 | Animal Behavior and Animal Behavior Lab | |
BISC 3165 | Biochemistry I | |
BISC 3166 | Biochemistry II | |
BISC 3209 | Molecular Biology | |
BISC 3320 | Human Neurobiology | |
CHEM 2151 & CHEM 2153 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | |
CHEM 2152 & CHEM 2154 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | |
PHIL 3151 | Philosophy of Science | |
PHIL 3153 | Mind, Brain, and Artificial Intelligence | |
PHIL 4196 | Topics in Theory of Knowledge 3 | |
PSYC 3118 | Neuropsychology | |
PSYC 3121 | Memory and Cognition | |
PSYC 3122 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
PSYC 3124 | Visual Perception | |
PSYC 3180 | Seminar in Cognitive Science 3 | |
PSYC 3198 | Current Research Issues 3 | |
PSYC 3199 | Current Topics in Psychology 3 | |
PSYC 4997 | Honors Seminar | |
SPHR 2133 | Autism | |
SPHR 2135 | Language: Structure, Meaning, and Use | |
SPHR 3116 | Brain and Language |
1STAT 1127 is recommended, but an equivalent course may be substituted.
2For SPHR, available only to students who have a minimum 3.5 GPA in major courses and/or the permission of the instructor.
3When the topic is relevant and with permission of the Program Director.
In addition to the University General Education Requirement, undergraduate students in Columbian College must complete a further, College-specific general education curriculum—Perspective, Analysis, Communication, or G-PAC. Together with the University General Education Requirement, G-PAC engages students in active intellectual inquiry across the liberal arts. Students achieve a set of learning outcomes that enhance their analytical skills, develop their communication competencies, and invite them to participate as responsible citizens who are attentive to issues of culture, diversity, and privilege.
G-PAC approved courses, Dean's Seminars, and Sophomore Colloquia that may be available for registration are listed on the CCAS Advising website.
Coursework for the University General Education Requirement is distributed as follows:
- Writing—one approved course in university writing and two approved writing in the disciplines (WID) courses.
- Humanities—one approved course in the humanities that involves critical or creative thinking skills.
- Mathematics or Statistics—one approved course in either mathematics or statistics.
- Natural or Physical Science—one approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry.
- Social Sciences—two approved courses in the social sciences.
Coursework for the Columbian College general education curriculum is distributed as follows:
- Arts—one approved course in the arts that involves the study or creation of artwork based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of art in a contemporary context.
- Global or Cross-Cultural Perspective—one approved course that analyzes the ways in which institutions, practices, and problems transcend national and regional boundaries.
- Humanities—one approved course in the humanities that involves critical thinking skills (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
- Local or Civic Engagement—one approved course that develops the values, ethics, disciplines, and commitment to pursue responsible public action.
- Natural or Physical Science—one approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement.
- Oral Communication—one course in oral communication.
Certain courses are approved to fulfill the requirement in more than one of these categories.
Courses taken in fulfillment of G-PAC also may be counted toward majors or minors. Transfer courses taken prior to, but not after, admission to George Washington University may count toward the University General Education Requirement and G-PAC, if those transfer courses are equivalent to GW courses that have been approved by the University and the College.