WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Fill out the form to connect with an Admission Counselor to learn more about Saint Michael鈥檚 College and our academic programs.
The human brain is one of the most complex structures in the entire universe. It is also the only organ that can study itself! Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field of scientific inquiry that draws from many academic disciplines including biology, chemistry, philosophy, and psychology. Studying Neuroscience at Saint Michael鈥檚 allows you to thoughtfully contemplate the moral, ethical, and philosophical implications of neuroscience on society and the world. Through hands-on laboratory experiences and course discussions, you can build on this intellectual foundation by investigating such topics as the development of the brain and nervous system and their related structures, processes, and functions, as well as enhance your knowledge of various cognitive, physical, and behavioral processes that can facilitate or hinder nervous system health.
Learn more about the Neuroscience program from our Saint Michael鈥檚 professors in the video below:
As a Neuroscience major you will investigate the brain and nervous system by focusing on multidisciplinary aspects of neuroscience through courses in Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, and Philosophy, including a Neuroscience senior capstone course. Majors share a similar program of six required core courses, but can focus their study in different directions (e.g., behavioral or cellular) through electives at the intermediate level and in senior study. These elective courses will provide fundamental knowledge and techniques in Biology and Psychology that apply to the field of neuroscience and its broader scientific context. You will further gain important skills in analytical techniques, reading and evaluating scientific literature, and written and oral communication in the neurosciences.
After graduation, our majors can go on to careers such as:
Students may also apply to graduate programs in Neuroscience.聽 Note that in some cases, these programs may require additional courses in subjects such as Physics, Biochemistry, and Calculus.聽 Please consult the Neuroscience advisor Ruth Fabian-Fine for more information.
“It was truly a life changing experience – from becoming more aware of peoples鈥 thoughts/feelings to learning the ins and outs of brain injury. It really assured me that I am happy with continuing to major in neuroscience and opened my eyes to possibly pursuing physical therapy. I learned so much from the staff, other interns, and especially the participants聽at SLI.鈥澛—聽Emily Durette, ’19聽
Emily Durette ’19 spent the summer interning with Supportive Living, Inc, a specialized residential and rehabilitation for individuals with severe brain injuries, outside of Boston, Mass. Durette, along with the other interns, helped plan and execute a full menu of physical, cognitive and social activities to residents and other survivors from local communities. Interns were also required to write a short report on a topic related to brain injury, and a short article about one of the survivors with whom they worked
Internships, like the one described above, provide you with a meaningful experience for potential jobs and further education, as well as a way to put your learning into action. Please contact the Neuroscience advisor聽Ruth Fabian-Fine聽to learn more.
Our neuroscience professors have a broad range of research interests in which the field of neuroscience can be explored from different perspectives. Opportunities are available to work closely with faculty on a variety of projects during the school year and to conduct your own research under faculty supervision through competitive grant-funding over the summer months.
We have several neuroscience laboratories here at Saint Michael’s:
Psychophysiology and Virtual Reality Laboratory (Saint Edmund’s聽Hall 219)
Melissa VanderKaay Tomasulo, Ph.D.聽mvanderkaay@smcvt.edu
Anthony Richardson, Ph.D.聽arichardson@smcvt.edu
Neurophysiology and Neuroanatomy Laboratory (Cheray Science Hall 326)
Adam Weaver, Ph.D.聽aweaver2@smcvt.edu
Ruth Fabian-Fine, Ph.D.听谤蹿补产颈补苍蹿颈苍别蔼蝉尘肠惫迟.别诲耻
Krikstone Laboratory for the Behavioral Sciences (Saint Edmund’s Hall 203)
As a Neuroscience major you will investigate the brain and nervous system by focusing on multidisciplinary aspects of neuroscience through courses in Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, and Philosophy, including a Neuroscience senior capstone course. Majors share a similar program of six required core courses, but can focus their study in different directions (e.g., behavioral or cellular) through electives at the intermediate level and in senior study. These elective courses will provide fundamental knowledge and techniques in Biology and Psychology that apply to the field of neuroscience and its broader scientific context. You will further gain important skills in analytical techniques, reading and evaluating scientific literature, and written and oral communication in the neurosciences.
After graduation, our majors can go on to careers such as:
Students may also apply to graduate programs in Neuroscience.聽 Note that in some cases, these programs may require additional courses in subjects such as Physics, Biochemistry, and Calculus.聽 Please consult the Neuroscience advisor Ruth Fabian-Fine for more information.
“It was truly a life changing experience – from becoming more aware of peoples鈥 thoughts/feelings to learning the ins and outs of brain injury. It really assured me that I am happy with continuing to major in neuroscience and opened my eyes to possibly pursuing physical therapy. I learned so much from the staff, other interns, and especially the participants聽at SLI.鈥澛—聽Emily Durette, ’19聽
Emily Durette ’19 spent the summer interning with Supportive Living, Inc, a specialized residential and rehabilitation for individuals with severe brain injuries, outside of Boston, Mass. Durette, along with the other interns, helped plan and execute a full menu of physical, cognitive and social activities to residents and other survivors from local communities. Interns were also required to write a short report on a topic related to brain injury, and a short article about one of the survivors with whom they worked
Internships, like the one described above, provide you with a meaningful experience for potential jobs and further education, as well as a way to put your learning into action. Please contact the Neuroscience advisor聽Ruth Fabian-Fine聽to learn more.
Our neuroscience professors have a broad range of research interests in which the field of neuroscience can be explored from different perspectives. Opportunities are available to work closely with faculty on a variety of projects during the school year and to conduct your own research under faculty supervision through competitive grant-funding over the summer months.
We have several neuroscience laboratories here at Saint Michael’s:
Psychophysiology and Virtual Reality Laboratory (Saint Edmund’s聽Hall 219)
Melissa VanderKaay Tomasulo, Ph.D.聽mvanderkaay@smcvt.edu
Anthony Richardson, Ph.D.聽arichardson@smcvt.edu
Neurophysiology and Neuroanatomy Laboratory (Cheray Science Hall 326)
Adam Weaver, Ph.D.聽aweaver2@smcvt.edu
Ruth Fabian-Fine, Ph.D.听谤蹿补产颈补苍蹿颈苍别蔼蝉尘肠惫迟.别诲耻
Krikstone Laboratory for the Behavioral Sciences (Saint Edmund’s Hall 203)
Fill out the form to connect with an Admission Counselor to learn more about Saint Michael鈥檚 College and our academic programs.