Concentration
Why Study Neuroscience at K?
As a Kalamazoo College neuroscience student, you will dive deep into the structure and function of the human nervous system as you explore its role in human health and behavior.
Why do you remember some details but not others? How does your arm know to move based on your thoughts? How do your upbringing and genetics affect your cognitive ability? Why are some folks more biologically resistant to medication than others? These are just a few of the core questions you will explore as a neuroscience student.
As a deeply interdisciplinary field, you will take courses in biology (e.g., Neurodegenerative Disorders), psychology (e.g., Physiological Psychology), philosophy (e.g., Logic and Reasoning), and computer science (e.g., Cognitive Science) as you learn about neuroanatomy and its role in human behavior.
The wide breadth of coursework required for a neuroscience concentration will prepare you for a variety of careers, including in medicine, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and cognitive science.
What can you do with a Neuroscience Concentration?
Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our neuroscience alumni.
Careers
- Physician
- Professor
- Behavior Therapist
- Veterinarian
Employers
- National Institute of Health
- Charles River Laboratories
- Western Michigan University
- Pfizer
Graduate Schools
- University of Michigan
- Ohio State University
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Harvard Medical School
Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor
Shahriar Akhavan Tafti (He/Him)
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Psychology and German
Concentration: Neuroscience
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
Being perhaps one of the most, if not the most interdisciplinary department on campus
What is your biggest piece of advice to first-years and sophomores about getting connected to this department?
Get curious, find a sense of awe for your existence, and get ready to dive deep into the intriguing realm of life’s biggest questions. This is the spot to do it, the place where you can let your curiosity run wild and explore the mind-boggling nature of our reality. We’re talking philosophy, religion, psychology, neurology, and even throwing in some computer science to crack the code. It’s all about figuring out how our mind and the world interact, whether it is dealing with complex neurological diseases or grappling with the questions of consciousness, or how our mind creates reality. We’re here to dig into every nook and cranny, connecting the dots and uncovering mind-blowing answers. So buckle up, get ready to embark on this exhilarating adventure, and let’s unravel the enigmas that make life so fascinating.
What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
My favorite class was cognitive science. It combined my interests in neuroscience and psychology and sparked thought-provoking discussions about human consciousness. Perhaps the most meta class I’ve taken.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
Epilepsy research.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
Grad school!
Faculty
Robert Batsell (Co-chair), Professor of Psychology. BA Southern Methodist University MS, PhD Texas Christian University
Peter Erdi (Co-chair), Luce Professor of Complex Systems Studies. MSc L. Eotvos University, Budapest MSc Technical University of Budapest PhD, DSc Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Blaine Moore, Professor of Biology. BS University of North Florida PhD University of Florida