Students and faculty in the Multidisciplinary Studies 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 neuroscience concentration 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 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.
