Students
and faculty in the Multidisciplinary Program in Neuroscience study questions spanning
the entire spectrum of modern neuroscience research. Key questions include:
How do molecules work together in time and space to build functioning nerve cells?
How do individual neurons and their interconnections lead to the emergent properties of neural circuits?
How do the information processing functions of neural circuits lead to complex behaviors, memories, emotions, and thought?
Departing
from the traditional focus on individual disciplines, Neuroscience is
characterized by collaborative interactions between faculty and students
working at many different levels of analysis, including research on
cell-molecular neurobiology, pharmacology, physiology, neural
engineering, neural communications, and cognitive and behavioral
neuroscience. When combined with a varied curriculum, seminars, an annual
neuroscience symposium, and an extremely active faculty that contribute
to neuroscience research and instruction, the BA/BS Neuroscience Program
provides an excellent, well-rounded and nurturing training experience
designed to prepare undergraduate students for graduate study in neuroscience
or a neuroscience-related field. Optionally, because many of the core
courses in the program overlap with pre-medical school courses, the
program further prepares students to seek entry into medical school.
Pursuant
to the philosophy of East Carolina University, the BA/BS Neuroscience Program
pledges itself to (1) foster educational excellence in curriculum,
instruction, and scholarship; (2)promote neuroscientific research and scientific inquiry through
attendance at professional conferences, professional contacts, and
publications; (3) provide opportunities for students to learn from a
variety of laboratory and/or medical/clinical experiences; (4) foster a
culture that values diversity, encourages interaction, and negotiates the
differences among us; (5) uphold the standards of professional ethics and
academic integrity; (6) promote multidisciplinary collaboration; (7)
support academic freedom; and (8) foster professional and public service.
