Students completing the Neuroscience major at Amherst should be able to:

  • Understand basic concepts in the traditional science disciplines that are relevant to neuroscience: biology, chemistry, psychology, mathematics and computer science, and physics.
  • Apply this understanding to practical problems in the field of neuroscience.
  • Integrate knowledge from different science disciplines and different levels of organization ranging from molecules to behavior.
  • Set up and carry out modern laboratory techniques used in behavioral and cellular/molecular neuroscience areas.
  • Plan feasible experiments using principles of experimental design, including developing testable hypotheses and valid use of statistics.
  • Critically evaluate scientific literature, including assessing the importance of the problems addressed, the appropriateness of the methodology used, and the legitimacy of the data analysis.
  • Effectively communicate ideas orally.
  • Write clearly, concisely, and gracefully.