Students excited about new major in neuroscience and behavior

In modern society, science and technology thrive.  Mankind has access to the smallest details of life, from the nanotechnology of computers to the inner workings of the human brain.  Neuroscience, for instance, focuses on the structure, function, development, and other related aspects of the nervous system.  This year, Notre Dame added this field of study, neuroscience and behavior, to its collection of majors.

Sunny Boyd, Director of the Department of Biological Studies, described to the Rover the novelty of this field, which has only existed for about 40 years: “It has rapidly gained prominence in the basic and biomedical research arenas and informs so many aspects of our lives as ‘regular citizens.’”

This, Boyd explained, means that neuroscience often explores familiar situations of daily life.  “We can all be touched by disorders such as autism or dementia, for example,” she said.

As Boyd indicated, one standout characteristic of the study of neuroscience is its interdisciplinary nature.  “Neuroscience and behavior is a very broad field, and ‘neurobiology’ is just one small but important piece of it,” she continued.

In fact, she said, the field includes “physics, psychology, philosophy, engineering, mathematics, even ethics and ‘neurolaw.’”  At Notre Dame, a total of 10 departments participate in the neuroscience and behavior major, and it can be completed through the College of Science or the College of Arts and Letters.

This broad spectrum of topics under one concentrated field has attracted many students.  Maria VanBerkum, a freshman from McGlinn Hall, told the Rover, “I chose neuroscience for my major mostly because it encompasses all of my interests in one field … In particular, I loved how I would be able to have the flexibility to specialize in and study neuroscience according to my interests.”

VanBerkum also finds appealing the ability to choose “a degree from either the College of Arts and Letters or the College of Science.”

Freshman Zosia Zdanowicz from Badin Hall agreed that the flexibility of the major is helpful.  She told the Rover that within neuroscience, she also finds opportunities to focus her interests: “I chose neuroscience as my major because I wanted to focus on something specific as I was preparing for medical school.”

Boyd also champions the wide range of possibilities that the neuroscience and behavior major offers.  She described the many career paths that students can pursue: “…[T]he students who graduate with this major can go on to play critical roles in many careers.  Many students will go on to medical school or other health professions, into clinical psychology practice, or into research careers.  Careers in development of assistive devices or other new technologies, science writing or policy professions, and secondary education would all be exciting and useful options.”

Claire Alexander, a freshman from Lewis Hall, told the Rover that her enthusiasm for neuroscience has shaped her hopes for the future.  “My goal is to attend graduate school in a related field and find a career as a research professor at a university,” Alexander said.  “I love connecting with people over shared interests, and I have a passion for both learning and teaching.  I also have so much respect and love for my teachers that have helped me succeed so far that I want to have that kind of impact on my own students.”

Teaching Assistant Rob McKee commended Boyd and Undergraduate Director Dr. Nancy Michael for the successful work they have dedicated to this budding major.  He also acknowledged some of the growing pains that have come up along the way.  “[T]here are certainly still challenges with teaching a new course,” he told the Rover, “such as [developing] ways we can effectively convey to students the important aspects of neuroscience, as well as linking material back to what they are learning in their lecture course.”

Despite these difficulties, McKee remained optimistic, as the department is “constantly evaluating and seeking ways in which we can improve the weekly labs and syllabus as a whole.”

As Boyd asserted, the study of neuroscience benefits society “because it can yield critical information about the causes, preventions and treatments for nervous system diseases, including autism, dementia, multiple sclerosis, blindness, deafness, and mental health disorders.”  Even beyond the medical field, she added, “it can enhance the human experience by informing social structures, education, government policies, and law.”

Looking towards the future, McKee sees great potential in the new major.  “As the Neuroscience program builds, I fully believe it will become more recognized both within and outside of the Notre Dame community.”

Alexander also voiced high expectations, saying, “It’s very exciting to be in a new major because of the sense of adventure and new frontiers in science, and because of the quantity of current research in the field.”

Sophia Buono is a freshman majoring in the Program of Liberal Studies.  While she greatly admires those who dare to embark on the road of science, she is quite content to be finishing her last topical science requirement this semester.  Contact Sophia at sbuono@nd.edu.