Neuroscience

In Depth

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.

Neuroscience Learning Outcomes

Careers

After graduation, our majors can go on to careers such as:

• Neuroscientist
• Neuroethicist
• Occupational therapist
• Speech pathologist/audiologist
• Health Policy Analyst
• Laboratory technician
• Clinical research technician/assistant
• Pharmaceutical sales
• Science advocacy
• Psychiatric nursing
• Optometrist

Students may also apply to graduate programs in Neuroscience.  Note that in some cases, these programs may require additional courses in subjects such as Physics, Biochemistry, and Calculus.  Please consult the Neuroscience advisor Melissa VanderKaay Tomasulo for more information.

Internships

“It was truly a life changing experience – from becoming more aware of peoples’ 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 at SLI.” — Emily Durette, ’19 

Emily Durette ’19 spent the summer interning with Supportive Living, Inc, a specialized residential and rehabilition 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 Melissa VanderKaay Tomasulo to learn more.

Research

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 Hall 219)
Melissa VanderKaay Tomasulo, Ph.D. mvanderkaay@smcvt.edu
Anthony Richardson, Ph.D. arichardson@smcvt.edu

Neurophysiology and Neuroanatomy Laboratory (Cheray Science Hall 326)
Adam Weaver, Ph.D. aweaver2@smcvt.edu
Ruth Fabian-Fine, Ph.D. rfabianfine@smcvt.edu

Krikstone Laboratory for the Behavioral Sciences (Saint Edmund’s Hall 203)
Ari Kirshenbaum, Ph.D. akirshenbaum@smcvt.edu

Student Research
Katie Petrozzo ’17 – “Free Will and Moral Responsibility in the Neuroscientific Age”

Petrozzo combined neuroscientific findings and philosophic resources to study whether or not a greater understanding of the brain challenges the idea of free will and choice.

Submitted to: Compos Mentis: Undergraduate Journal of Cognition and Neuroethics