Neuroscience

Location:	Life Sciences Centre Department of Psychology and Neuroscience 1355 Oxford Street P.O. Box 15000 Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
Telephone:	(902) 494-2262
Fax:	(902) 494-6585
Website:	www.dal.ca/psychandneuro
Email:	psychology@dal.ca

Introduction

The primary goal of the field of Neuroscience is to understand the brain. Neuroscientists examine all aspects of the structure and function of nervous systems and use a variety of experimental strategies to understand them, including molecular, biochemical, behavioural, anatomical, physiological, and developmental approaches. The programs outlined below represent all of these approaches, with an emphasis on behaviour as the adaptive product of neural activity and neuroplasticity. Knowledge obtained from research in Neuroscience may be applied to a variety of human health problems, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and a variety of drug- or injury-induced behavioural disorders. 

A. Enrolment Limitations

Neuroscience is a popular program, and we have a high enrolment of students. Potential Major and Honours students should note that there are limitations on the number of students that can be taught in these programs in any given year. Passing introductory courses with the required grade of B- and declaring an intent to Major in Neuroscience does not guarantee a spot in any particular course. We do our best to provide spots in core required courses to students in the program; however, students are advised to register as early as possible for required courses to secure a space.

There are strict size restrictions on individual courses. Lecture courses are limited by room size. Enrolment in laboratory courses is further restricted because of equipment limitations and requirements for supervision. All Major and Honours students should carefully review program requirements and choose prerequisite courses accordingly. Laboratory courses fill rapidly, and not all laboratory courses are offered every year.

B. Enrolment of Other Students

Only Major and Honours students in Neuroscience or Psychology may enrol in NESC 2000.03, NESC 2470.03, and PSYO 2501.03, and such students are given preference in other second-year courses. All students must have at least a B- in both the introductory psychology and neuroscience courses, or a B- in the psychology and neuroscience component of the Integrated Science Program, to register in any second-year course in Neuroscience.

C. Laboratories

Neuroscience laboratory courses typically involve data collection and interpretation, and writing reports on the results. All Major and Honours students must take the second-year research methods course (NESC 2000.03) and at least two 3000-level research laboratory courses (six credit hours).

 

Degree Programs

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience offers the following degree programs in Neuroscience:

• BSc (120 credit hour) Honours (Concentrated)*
• BSc (120 credit hour) Combined Honours*
• BSc (120 credit hour) Major*
• BSc (120 credit hour) Double Major*
• Minor in Neuroscience

* May be combined with Minor programs from other disciplines (except Psychology).

Departmental requirements for each degree program can be seen by following the links in the menu at the right.

In addition to departmental requirements, students must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Academic Regulations and the College of Arts and Science Degree Requirements sections.

A student is governed by the academic regulations in place at the time of initial enrolment, as long as the degree is completed within the time permitted (10 years). Subsequent changes in regulations shall apply only if the student so elects. Students applying the old academic regulations should consult the calendar of the appropriate year.

Students should plan their programs of study carefully and are strongly encouraged to do so in consultation with a Neuroscience undergraduate academic advisor.

A detailed description of the Neuroscience programs is available in a guidebook titled "A Student's Guide to Neuroscience at Dalhousie University." The guidebook is available on the Department's website (www.dal.ca/psychandneuro) and at the Psychology and Neuroscience Main Office (Life Sciences Centre, Room 3263).