As you read this, billions of neurons and glial cells in your brain are buzzing with activity. Take a deep dive into the body's most complex organ with Portland State's new interdisciplinary neuroscience minor.
In the neuroscience minor, you'll explore the relationship between our brains and behavior. Mental health, memory, attention, perception, language, feeling, bias, creativity and decision-making in social contexts all depend on nervous system structure and function — and with this minor, you'll learn how the underlying biology, biochemistry and physiology of the nervous system relates to individuals' psychological and behavioral processes.
The field of neuroscience is fundamentally interdisciplinary, and our minor brings together courses in biology, psychology, computer science, linguistics, philosophy, public health, social work, speech and hearing sciences and University Studies.
This interdisciplinary program is supported by both the Biology department and Psychology department.
Our program opens the doors for you to pursue a career in a variety of fields, including healthcare, science-related policy, regulatory oversight, private industry, K-12 education, community service, mental health, public outreach and the arts. Pursuing this minor is a no-brainer.
Neuroscience Minor Outreach & Research >>
Photo by NW Noggin
With three tracks — biology majors, psychology majors and all other majors — a wide range of courses and plenty of outreach opportunities, our program is accessible to both STEM and non-STEM majors alike.
You'll have the opportunity to conduct research with faculty at PSU or one of our community research partners, including OHSU and Legacy Health. Our students have worked in labs that study neurodegenerative diseases, drug use disorders, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, adolescent brain development, sleep, bias and a host of other topics with significant relevance to our broader community.
If outreach is more your thing, you can earn credit by volunteering with NW Noggin: Northwest Neuroscience Outreach Group, a nonprofit that enthuses young people about science and art, and excites the public about ongoing, publicly funded neuroscience research in a fun, hands-on way.
Our active Neuroscience Club provides a space for you to gather together with other like-minded folks who are curious about how the brain inspires behavior, cognition and reality.
With PSU's interdisciplinary neuroscience minor, you'll be prepared to pursue top-notch graduate programs in neuroscience and healthcare. Beyond this, training in neuroscience provides you with a foundation to pursue a vast array of careers, including jobs in K-12 schools, research and development, global health, business and law, government and policy, consulting, the arts, and more.