Neuroscience
About Our Program
Recalling a memory, the impulse for fight or flight, emotions, senses, walking, talking-- your brain is a powerful organ and neuroscientists are devoted to understanding it.
In our collaborative classroom, you’ll use your curiosity about the brain to ask your own research questions, collect data, and present your findings. You’ll use cutting-edge research in the field as you explore small organisms, single cells, and both animal and human behavior.
With a focus on interdisciplinary learning, you can study neuroscience from a biological perspective in the cellular track or from a psychological perspective in our behavioral track.
Whichever aspect of neuroscience sparks your interest, you’ll be prepared for careers in research or continued education in neuroscience, medicine, counseling, or applied behavioral analysis-- just to name a few of your many career options after St. Lawrence.
Learning Experiences to Prepare for Your Career
Stimulate your mind by conducting research that is at the forefront of scientific discovery in neuroscience. Our hands-on program will prepare you for a variety of medical or science related careers.Research
You can examine neuroscience topics or pressing issues further through research during the semester or as part of a paid summer fellowship.
You may even get to analyze behavioral deficits among rodent models of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder like Rachel Loyst ’21. She worked alongside professor Adam Fox as a research assistant and presented her research findings at multiple conferences.
Senior Year Experience (SYE)
Turn your passion into a project with a Senior Year Experience, which is what Sarah Yablonski ’19 did. She collaborated with professor Ana Estevez to investigate potential therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
Q&A: Meet Professor Ana Estevez
Meet Your Neuroscience Mentor
Professor of Biology Ana Estevez is passionate about guiding students through the complexities of neuroscience and biology. With a focus on research, mentorship, and hands-on learning, she inspires students to explore the intricacies of the brain and how scientific discovery can make a meaningful impact on the world.
How do you make your courses engaging?
In my seminar course, Current Topics in Neuroscience, students shape the syllabus by selecting topics they want to explore. Each semester is unique, with students becoming experts in their topic through reading primary literature, leading a journal club discussion, presenting a background lecture, writing an annotated bibliography, and delivering a topic review presentation. My hope is that because each student gets to choose their topic, their interest and motivation in completing these assignments remain high.
What surprises students most about you?
Many students might be surprised to learn that I struggled in my first neuroscience course as an undergraduate. As a first-generation student, I lacked some of the academic preparation my peers had. I share this with students who struggle in my classes to show that early setbacks don’t define their college experience. Success often comes from finding the right study strategies and time management. As an undergraduate, I learned how I learn best—and now I teach neuroscience! My hope is that my story helps students see their potential to improve and thrive.
Volunteer
You can also gain experience while making a difference through service work. For example, during Brain Week, neuroscience majors and faculty lead interactive exhibits that highlight brain function and neuroscience research. Community members of all ages visit campus for our “Brain Blast” annual event and are able to learn about lobes of the brain, mammal skulls, sensation and perception, and more.
Short-Term Off-Campus Research Fellowships
In addition to on-campus research opportunities, you’ll have the chance to pursue short-term summer research fellowships at other colleges and universities.
Study Abroad
Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs offered in more than 20 international locations, including Kenya, New Zealand, and Australia.
You might even get to take the popular summer abroad class Neuroscience of Fear–a perfect option for students wishing to complete a short abroad program during the summer months in locations like Rome, Italy.
Connect with Community
Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you’ll find many that involve your passion for health and the sciences, including:
- SLU Pre-Health Club
- American Chemical Society
- Active Minds
- Nutrition Club
- Health and Fitness Club
- SLU EMS
Alumni Network
St. Lawrence graduates are big thinkers, problem solvers, and fearless leaders at companies and organizations across the country and world. Our alumni network is the second-most influential source for recent graduate employment (only behind internships).
Explore the Power of our Alumni Network
Outcomes
For all of our alumni, the quest for evidence and answers doesn’t stop after Commencement. Some choose to make this activity a profession. You can find them in the field or the lab, using their talents to communicate the importance of their research and engage others in their work.
Recent Graduate Programs
- University of Rochester
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Ottawa
- McGill University
- University at Albany
Recent Medical Programs
- Tufts University
- University of Vermont
- Thomas Jefferson University
- SUNY Upstate Medical University
Why St. Lawrence for Neuroscience
97%
of St. Lawrence graduates majoring in neuroscience are employed or continuing their education within a year
82%
of St. Lawrence students conduct research
Graduates from the neuroscience program have pursued graduate programs at:
- University of Rochester
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Ottawa
- McGill University
- University at Albany
Alumni at Work: Searching for Answers
For all of our alumni, the quest for evidence and answers doesn’t stop after Commencement. Some choose to make this activity a profession.
10
The number of scholarships offered to high achieving, Pell grant eligible, first-year underrepresented students interested in pursuing a STEM major
0
The number of laboratory classes taught by teaching assistants–you’ll conduct research one-on-one with your faculty mentor
2
The number of paths you can take in neuroscience: pursue a biology focus or a psychology focus
Neuroscience majors have conducting research on:
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Autism
- Neurodegenerative Disorders
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
115,000
Square feet of laboratories, learning spaces, offices, and support spaces in Johnson Hall of Science
Graduates from the neuroscience program have pursued medical programs at:
- Tufts University
- University of Vermont
- Thomas Jefferson University
- SUNY Upstate Medical University
More Program Information
Program Requirements & Courses
Explore neuroscience major requirements, as well as electives and combined study options.
Complementary and Related Programs
If you’re interested in neuroscience, you might also like these programs.
Popular Double Majors with This Program
Other Programs You May Be Interested In
Neuroscience Faculty
Our faculty conduct research that is at the forefront of neuroscience discovery. They develop pharmaceutical agents to treat strokes, examine the complexities of human memory, and explore the driving forces of human and animal behavior. They’re also TEDx Talk presenters, ballroom dancers, outdoor enthusiasts, and trivia buffs.
“We hope and expect students to explore other disciplines and varied ways of thinking. Employers appreciate the expertise in neuroscience as well as other experiences that help students think outside of the box.”
Ana Y. Estevez
Co-chair of Biology
Bill DeCoteau
Absalom Graves Gaines Professor
Psychology Department
Joe Erlichman
Professor
Biology Department
Adam Fox
Sarah Johnson '82 Professor in the Sciences
Psychology Department
Serge Onyper
Associate Professor
Psychology Department
Elyssa Twedt
Associate Professor
Psychology Department
Festival of Science
Students regularly co-author and publish research papers with their faculty mentors. Share your findings at this spring event celebrating student research projects across campus.
Brain Blast
Lead interactive exhibits during Brain Awareness Week at St. Lawrence. You’ll connect with community members of all ages as they learn about lobes of the brain, mammal skulls, sensation and perception, and more.
A Global Education
With study abroad opportunities for neuroscience majors in Kenya, New Zealand, and Australia, you can take your knowledge around the globe. You might even get to take the popular summer abroad class Neuroscience of Fear–a perfect option for students wishing to complete a short abroad program during the summer months in locations like Rome, Italy.
Get More Information
We’re excited to learn more about you, tell you more about our interdisciplinary academic programs, show you around our beautiful campus, and help you navigate your college search.
Apply to St. Lawrence
We’re looking for curious students who are eager to make a difference. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and consider all aspects of your application and what we learn about you.