Integrating a minor with the neuroscience major
Neuroscience is a broad interdisciplinary science that crosses many fields of study. The neuroscience major is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in basic sciences that lie at the core of the discipline and to allow students flexibility in elective choices to shape their coursework to their own particular interests and goals.
We strongly urge students to carefully consider their choice of a minor when planning their coursework. The selection of a minor could:
- Deepen a student's exposure to a particular area of study closely aligned with the major
- Broaden a student's exposure to areas less closely aligned to neuroscience by integrating other perspectives into their education
- Allow a student to gain skills in areas that can be applied to science and medicine
- Save students time and money by selecting coursework that can facilitate progress toward completing both the major and minor
Below are listed a selection of minors that we feel may be of interest to neuroscience majors, and how requirements for these minors intersect with the neuroscience curriculum. This list is not exhaustive and new minors are being developed all of the time. We urge students to look into possible minors early in their academic careers in conjunction with their advisor.
An important rule that applies to all programs: All minors must include at least three courses that are not used to fulfill requirements for any other major or minor; that is, there must be three courses unique to the minor that do not double-count with major requirements.
View full list of college degree requirements
Minor pairings
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Anthropology
This minor would appeal to students who wish to add a comparative, cross-cultural, or bio-cultural perspective to their understanding of human nature. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 18 additional credits.
There is no course overlap between this minor and the neuroscience major.
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Biochemistry and chemical biology
This minor could help deepen a student's understanding of the chemical and molecular processes that underlie brain function. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with nine additional credits.
Summary:
- Three required courses for this minor are part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- Two required courses and one elective course for this minor are not part of the neuroscience curriculum.
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Biological sciences
This minor would deepen a student's understanding of biology, a fundamental cornerstone of neuroscience. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 11 to 12 additional credits.
Summary:
- Two required courses for this minor are part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- Two required courses for this minor are not part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- Two required courses for the neuroscience major (BIO 2600, BIO 3100) can be used to satisfy a selection requirement for this minor.
- One required course for this minor (BIO 3700) is an elective in the neuroscience curriculum; if BIO 2600 and BIO 3100 are double-counted with the neuroscience major, then BIO 3700 cannot be used as a neuroscience elective course.
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Biomedical physics
This minor would enable a student to gain knowledge and skills in computational biology that are fundamental to the emerging specialty of computational neuroscience. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 11 to 13 additional credits.
Summary:
- Two required courses for this minor are part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- Two required courses for this minor are not part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- To satisfy the six credits of electives requirement for this minor, students must select at least one elective course that is not double-counted with the neuroscience major.
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Chemistry
This minor helps broaden a student's understanding of the chemical processes that underlie brain function. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with nine additional credits.
Summary:
- Three required courses for this minor are part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- One required course for this minor is not part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- Two additional elective choices are required for the minor that cannot be double-counted with the neuroscience major.
- BIO 5600 is an option for the neuroscience major biochemistry requirement and can also serve as an elective for the minor. However, it may not be double-counted due to the three unique course rule.
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Communication sciences and disorders
The minor in communication sciences and disorders will provide students with a foundation in the science of human communication and communication disorders across the life span. It would especially appeal to students with a clinical interest in audiology. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 18 additional credits.
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Exercise and sports science
The exercise and sport science minor consists of five courses, totaling 15 credits. The minor provides an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their knowledge of exercise and sport science by building skills and knowledge in motor skill and development and human anatomy.
The addition of an exercise and sport science minor can expand employment opportunities and add capabilities for students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or related fields such as physical therapy or sports sciences. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 12 additional credits.
One required course for this minor is an elective the neuroscience curriculum (KIN 3550).
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Global health and social medicine
This minor would allow students interested in health-related fields to explore the relationship between human rights and health, as well as social factors that contribute to health inequities. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 18 additional credits.
There is no course overlap between this minor and the neuroscience major.
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Health ethics (philosophy)
This minor will appeal to students interested in the ethical and moral issues in science and medicine that are becoming increasingly important for neuroscience, as evidenced by the recent establishment of the field of neuroethics. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 15 to 18 additional credits.
PHI 5230 and PHI 5550 are electives in the neuroscience major (PHI 2550 is a pre-requisite for these courses).
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Health psychology
Health psychology integrates biological, social, and psychological perspectives in understanding health and disease, including how the brain influences health and how health influences the brain. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 16 additional credits.
Summary:
- One required course for this minor is required in the neuroscience curriculum.
- One required course for this minor is a pre-requisite for a statistics course option in the neuroscience curriculum.
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Nutrition and food science
This minor will appeal to students with an interest in how nutrition impacts the biological processes that influence the brain and behavior. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 14 to 19 additional credits.
Two neuroscience elective courses (NFS 4230; NFS 5170) can double-count as electives for this minor to help fulfill the "seven additional credits" requirement (note: one additional course must be selected to reach seven credits).
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Philosophy
This minor will appeal to students with an interest in the fundamental questions concerning human nature that arise at the intersection of neuroscience and philosophy, such as the nature of the mind and consciousness. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with nine additional credits.
PHI 5230 and PHI 5550 are electives in the neuroscience major.
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Law
Neuroscience is becoming an increasingly important perspective in law, as evidenced by the emergence of the discipline of neurolaw. These minors will appeal to students interested in applying to law school or in issues related to the philosophy of law.
Minor in Law
The law minor provides a general understanding of legal principles and systems. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 19 to 20 to 18 additional credits.
Minor in Pre-Law
The pre-law minor focuses on legal studies, research and analytical skills necessary for successful future legal careers. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 15 to 18 additional credits. PHI 5230 and PHI 5550 are electives in the neuroscience major (PHI 2550 is a pre-requisite for these courses).
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Psychology
This minor would deepen a student's understanding of psychology, a fundamental cornerstone of neuroscience. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 10 additional credits.
Summary:
- One required course for this minor is part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- One required course for this minor is not part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- To satisfy the electives requirement for this minor, students must select at least two elective courses that are not double-counted with the neuroscience major; other courses may be double-counted.
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Public health
This minor would appeal to students with an interest in public health issues and policies that would apply to a broad range of health careers. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 20 to 22 additional credits.
There is no course overlap between this minor and the neuroscience major.
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Statistics
Statistics is a primary tool for science and advanced statistical techniques are essential for performing research in fields as diverse as genetics and cognitive neuroscience. This minor will allow students to deepen their skills in statistics, an attractive feature on a résumé. A neuroscience major could complete this minor with 16 additional credits.
Summary:
- One required course for this minor is required in the neuroscience curriculum.
- One required course for this minor (MAT 2020) is not part of the neuroscience curriculum.
- STA 2210 can serve as a choice for the minor and as the statistics course for the neuroscience major.
- MAT 2020 is a pre-requisite for an elective in the neuroscience major, PHY 3750 (which itself is a pre-requisite for another major elective, PHY 6750).
Explore more minors 🔎
See our full list of minors that you can match with your major. Hear more about why you should add a minor.