Students at Albion College have the opportunity to immerse themselves in neuroscience from several perspectives. Professors in three departments—Biology, Philosophy, and Psychology—share an interest in understanding the neural underpinnings of behavior and mental activity, and have developed a strong and growing neuroscience program at Albion. Beginning with the experience of a Freshman Seminar focusing on the mind, through numerous courses of direct relevance to neuroscience, and culminating in meaningful research addressing cutting-edge issues, Albion students gain the knowledge, insight, and skills necessary to success in graduate study or careers relating to neuroscience.
Although neuroscience as a discipline entails a common goal of understanding the nervous system, the emphases of scientists from various backgrounds often differ. Students who select the Neuroscience Option will be exposed to all three of these ways of approaching the topic:
Neuroscientists in all three of these disciplines often share common techniques and even common research questions, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between them. Neuroscience is truly inter- or cross-disciplinary, and an education in neuroscience, far from being narrow, can be a broadening and enriching experience.