Chair, Department of Neuroscience
Post-doc, Psychology and Neuroscience, Florida State University
Department of Neuroscience
(440) 826-2312
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OVERVIEW
Discover the fascinating, ever-growing field of neuroscience. Whether your career interest is scientific research, the medical profession or education, Baldwin Wallace's neuroscience major will help you excel in your goal.
Focused Study of Brain, Mind, Behavior
Through courses in cognitive, behavioral and molecular neuroscience, you'll delve into the intricacies of the brain and the rest of the nervous system. You'll study its normal and abnormal actions, learn about diseases and environmental factors that affect its function, and discover how breakthroughs in neuroscience are advancing our knowledge and quality of life.
Impressive Neuroscience Research
Starting as soon as freshman year, you can collaborate with professors on research spanning behavioral pharmacology, neurodegeneration, learning and memory, sensation and perception, as well as other topics. You'll gain hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection and analysis, and scientific writing - so you can experience research from its inception through completion.
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Rigorous academics, faculty mentoring and extensive lab experiences prepare students for post-graduate studies and career success.
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Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Ledwidge, students gain valuable research skills in BW's cognitive-communication lab.
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With Dr. Clare Mathes (left) as a mentor, Delenn Hartswick '21 (right) performed research through BW's Summer Scholars program to learn new skills and prepare for a neuroscience thesis.
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Benjamin Brown '15, who is now pursing an M.D./Ph.D. at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, was part of a leading research study at BW that was published in the journal Nature.
Career Opportunities in Neuroscience
Neuroscience graduates work at universities, medical schools, research institutes and in industry, such as biotech and pharmaceutical firms, and for government organizations. Students who achieve a bachelor's degree and/or pursue graduate education may become:
- Research scientists
- Pharmacologists
- Dentists
- Clinical psychologists
- Veterinarians
- Educators
- Physicians
- Pharmacists
CURRICULUM
Neuroscience is offered as a major and minor. The coursework provides a theoretical and practical framework for your studies. You'll progress from learning the basics of the structure and function of the nervous system to practical application in laboratory courses to generating original neuroscience research questions.
What You'll Learn
BW's neuroscience major prepares students to:
- Become knowledgeable about the brain and its functions, including structure, physiology, pharmacology, cognition and behavior.
- Explain and apply general principles of neuroscience.
- Critically evaluate information about topics and research in neuroscience.
- Evaluate safety and ethical considerations in neuroscience research and perform research that applies those standards.
- Become effective oral and written communicators who can discuss topics and research in neuroscience.
Course Descriptions
Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Small class sizes, individual attention, hands-on learning and faculty mentoring are hallmarks of the program. You'll learn from professors who hold doctorates in their subject areas.
BW Neuroscience Lab
The neuroscience complex includes rooms dedicated to imaging and stereology, behavior analysis, surgery, histology and neurophysiology. You'll be treated as a professional in the lab to promote your independent learning and critical thinking, while also benefiting from the collaboration of professors and peers.
You'll explore neural functioning at all levels of analysis - from molecular to cellular to systems to behavior to cognition. Faculty experts will help you build valuable and comprehensive research skills. Because disseminating research is an essential part of the process, you'll be encouraged to present your data and findings at scientific conferences and to seek publication in professional journals.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Society
The student-led Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Society (INS) is open to any students interested in learning more about neuroscience. INS sponsors seminars to further education on neuroscience topics, promotes community outreach through activities such as the Brain Fair, and fosters professional development through organizing and supporting student travel to professional meetings.
Nu Rho Psi
The National Honor Society in Neuroscience, Nu Rho Psi, is comprised of neuroscience students who have outstanding scholarship and a demonstrated interest in the discipline. The BW Nu Rho Psi chapter was the first-ever chapter for the honor society.
Pre-Medical Society
Delta Omega Chi, the Pre-Medical Society, sponsors medically related volunteer activities, guest speakers and tours to institutions with professional programs. This organization is ideal for students interested in healthcare professions such as physicians, physician assistants and dentists.
Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program
The BW Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program is open to Ohio residents who are entering Baldwin Wallace in the fall as a first-year student or transfer student and are interested in neuroscience. Students are eligible to apply to the program which also offers the Choose Ohio First scholarship, awarding substantial annual, renewable scholarships.
ALUMNI SUCCESS
Benjamin
Brown
'15
is
currently
pursing
an
M.D./Ph.D.
at
Vanderbilt
University
School
of
Medicine.
The
Columbia
Station,
Ohio,
native
cites
faculty-student
collaborative
research
and
mentoring
as
vital
to
his
growth
as
an
independent
researcher
and
acceptance
into
medical
school.
Brandon
Dropic
'15
is
inventory
optimization
planner
at
PPG
Industries
in
Clearwater,
Fla.
The
Seminole,
Fla.,
native
collaborated
with
BW
faculty
and
Cleveland
Clinic
researchers
to
develop
original
Alzheimer's
disease
research,
an
experience
that
enabled
him
to
develop
his
professional
competencies
and
distinguish
himself
in
the
field.
Ashkon
Bahrami
'14
is
lab
technician
at
Lubrizol
Corporation
in
Brecksville,
Ohio.
The
Newark,
Ohio,
native
credits
the
close
relationships
he
formed
with
his
professors
with
helping
him
gain
the
connections
and
experience
he
needed
to
achieve
his
goal
of
becoming
employed
immediately
upon
graduation.
Kara
Gawelek
'14
is
resident
physician
at
Brigham
and
Women's
Hospital
in
Boston.
She
earned
a
Doctor
of
Medicine
(M.D.)
from
Case
Western
Reserve
University
School
of
Medicine.
The
Brunswick,
Ohio,
native's
work
alongside
BW
faculty
in
the
research
laboratory
bolstered
her
successful
medical
school
applications.
Sarah
Hummel
'13
is
emergency
veterinarian
at
the
Veterinary
Medical
Center
of
CNY
in
Syracuse,
N.Y.
She
earned
a
Doctor
of
Veterinary
Medicine
(D.V.M.)
from
the
Cornell
University
College
of
Veterinary
Medicine.
As
an
undergraduate
at
BW,
the
Ithaca,
N.Y.,
native
worked
in
BW's
neuroscience
and
animal
learning
labs.
Joe
Luchsinger
'13
is
M.D./Ph.D.
candidate
at
Vanderbilt
University
School
of
Medicine
in
Nashville,
Tenn.
At
BW,
small
class
sizes,
faculty
mentors
and
extensive
experiential
learning
opportunities
enabled
the
Bexley,
Ohio,
native
to
engage
deeply
in
multiple
areas
of
interest
while
preparing
for
medical
school.
Taylor
Shreve
'13
is
pursuing
an
M.D.
from
the
University
at
Buffalo
School
of
Medicine.
The
Panama,
N.Y.,
native
worked
in
the
BW
labs
alongside
her
professors,
who
helped
her
gain
critical
thinking
and
problem-solving
skills.
Taylor
credits
lab
experience,
presentations
and
conferences
for
her
acceptance
into
medical
school.
Marissa
Ruddy
Scavuzzo
'11
is
a
postdoctoral
research
fellow
at
Case
Western
Reserve
University
School
of
Medicine.
She
earned
a
Ph.D.
in
Developmental
Biology
from
the
Baylor
College
of
Medicine.
The
opportunity
to
conduct
independent
research
at
BW
helped
prepare
the
Spring,
Texas,
native
for
a
career
in
research.
Melissa
VanderKaay
Tomasulo
'99
is
director
of
the
neuroscience
program
and
associate
professor
of
psychology
at
Saint
Michael's
College
in
Colchester,
Vt.
The
Huntsburg,
Ohio,
native
credits
hands-on
lab
experiences
and
faculty
mentors
at
BW
as
catalysts
for
her
success.
She
holds
a
Ph.D.
from
Ohio
University.
FACULTY
Chair, Department of Chemistry
Post-doc, Case Western Reserve University
Associate Professor
Postdoc, Cleveland Clinic
Full-Time Faculty
Clare Mathes
Chair, Department of Neuroscience
Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Florida
Diana Barko
Chair, Department of Chemistry
Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Jeffrey Zahratka
Associate Professor
Ph.D., The University of Toledo
Additional Research Mentors
Sarah Binkley
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., University of Akron
Michael Bumbulis
Professor of Biology
Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Michael E. Kovach
Professor of Biology
Ph.D., Louisiana State University Medical Center
Lisa Ponton
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Iowa State University
Stephanie Rothman
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Brian Thomas
Associate Professor of Psychology
Ph.D., Texas Christian University
Faculty Emeriti
G. Andrew Mickley
Founding Chair, Neuroscience Program
Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., University of Virginia
Staff
Gregg DiNuoscio
Neuroscience Laboratory Manager
B.S. (Molecular Genetics), The Ohio State University
Gerrie Paino
Coordinator, School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Compuing
B.A., Baldwin Wallace University
Barbara A. Rethas
Administrative Specialist
B.A., Baldwin Wallace University