What does it mean to be human? How does the brain make us who we are? In the neuroscience degree program at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, neuroscience majors explore these and other complex questions relating to the functioning of the brain.
All things that humans have created emerge from the workings of the brain. It is a fascinating organ to study. Imagine a computer that can rewire itself each time it has a new experience, that can change the environment around it and that can contemplate its own existence. The human brain can do all that, and more.
Meg Upchurch, professor of psychology
Neuroscientific approaches contribute to the discussion of major social and political questions, such as how best to educate children, what strategies are most effective in addressing drug abuse and to what extent human nervous systems can or should be integrated with artificial computational systems.
Neuroscience studied within the liberal arts context examines not only how brain function influences behavior, but how the environments in which organisms dwell influence the brain. We examine the brain as a constantly changing organ responsive to influences from genetic factors, personal environment and sociocultural environment.
While many of the courses focus on the brain as a living system, the inclusion of computer science courses in the major enables students to explore models of artificial intelligence and to develop appreciation of the role of massive computational analysis in current brain imaging techniques. The upper-level core courses in the major invite students to integrate the biological, behavioral, computational and philosophical approaches to studying nervous system function.
Members of the neuroscience faculty maintain active research programs and welcome students as members of the research teams. Students also have the opportunity to develop and investigate research problems of their own, with neuroscience faculty members serving as mentors.
Internships Our Students Have Completed
Research in laboratories at the University of Kentucky
Shadowing health professionals
Working in local health care facilities
Courses of Special Interest
Behavioral Pharmacology
Cognitive Neuroscience
Mental Organs
Robotics
Music Cognition
Neurobiology
Logic and Problem Solving
Animal Behavior
Possible Career Options
Physician or other health professional
Clinical neuropsychologist
Neuroscience researcher
Speech/language pathologist
Medical psychologist
Bioethicist
Computer technician with brain imaging specialization
Attorney (via joint professional program in law and neuroscience)
Criminal justice system specialist
Semester Study Abroad Opportunities
Australia I
Australia II
Austria
Colombia
England II
Fiji
Greece
Ireland
Italy
New Zealand
Scotland
South Korea
Switzerland
These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.
Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.
Contacts
Rebecca Fox
Associate Professor of Biology; Program Director, Neuroscience;
Phone: (859) 233-8288
Laura Ray Warren
Administrative Assistant, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Phone: (859) 233-8228
Address:
Transylvania University
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508-1797