Students participating in a Alzheimer's research project wearing goggles in a lab

Neuroscience

The Neuroscience major examines brain, behavior, and biology—exploring everything from individual neurons to complex systems—to help you understand the mind and shape your future.

Overview

The Neuroscience Program at Centre College prepares you for a wide range of careers, including research, medicine, mental health, and other related fields.

The program offers broad training, from cells to systems, as you explore the relationships between the brain, body, and behavior. You can focus your studies by following the Cellular Neuroscience or Behavioral Neuroscience tracks, or keep your options open with the general Neuroscience pathway.

With a variety of lab-based courses and research opportunities, you will develop the analytical and communication skills necessary for success after graduating from Centre.

Your Major Took You Where?

Neuroscience majors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers and Professions

Baptist Health
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Ephram McDowell Regional Medical Center
PT Pros
The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT
University of Kentucky

Postgraduate Study

Emory University
George Washington University
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University

Health and Medicine career exploration career community emblem

Curriculum

Centre’s Neuroscience program begins with foundational courses in chemistry, statistics, and psychology, followed by neuroscience-specific classes on neurons, research methods, and brain-behavior relationships.

Advanced courses cover the effects of drugs, disease, and injuries on the brain. Other courses cover sensory systems, research technology, body-brain interactions, and clinical applications.

The Cellular Neuroscience track emphasizes biology and chemistry, while the Behavioral Neuroscience track focuses more on psychology. Additionally, a flexible general Neuroscience path is also available.

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Experiential Learning

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences and reflection to develop skills and increase knowledge retention.

Neuroscience majors develop essential skills through lab-based coursework and opportunities for faculty-guided research. Students have presented their findings at national conferences, collaborated on publications, and participated in projects at the Louisville Zoo. Many also apply their neuroscience knowledge while studying abroad, such as exploring mindfulness in Japan or providing health communication in Mexico. These opportunities enrich classroom learning and build skills that make our students strong candidates for graduate programs and employment opportunities.

Internships

We're committed to helping students find quality internship experiences in the career area of their choice.

Internships for Neuroscience majors help connect classroom learning to real-world applications. Common internship sites include Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Centre, Boyle County EMS, Danville Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, PT Pros, Clínica de Mérida (Mexico), and Morning Pointe Senior Living. These experiences deepen students' understanding of neuroscience, strengthen their applications to graduate or professional school, and may lead to job opportunities.

Careers

Our extraordinary liberal arts and sciences education prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.

Graduates with a degree in Neuroscience typically pursue advanced studies in neuroscience, biomedical research, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, neuropsychology, clinical psychology, or counseling psychology. Those entering the workforce directly after Centre are well-prepared for roles such as clinical research assistants, behavioral health technicians, physical therapy assistants, pharmaceutical and medical sales, and many other fields.