Northwestern Pre Med Majors

10 Northwestern Pre Med Majors

1. Anthropology
2. Applied Mathematics
3. Biological Science
4. Biomedical engineering
5. Chemical and Biological Engineering
6. Chemistry
7. Human Development in Context
8. Neuroscience
9. Psychology
10. Sociology

Is Northwestern good for pre med?

Northwestern is a great school for pre-medical students. As you can see in the Northwestern pre med majors descriptions below, there are many internship, research, post-graduate, and extra-curricular activities.

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Anthropology

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete a 13-course program comprised of: 

• 12 departmental courses 
• 1 course in related fields 

Students must choose a concentration of focus for the major. Concentrations are determined when the major is declared and can be amended prior to the petition to graduate being completed. Concentrations constitutes your intended focus within anthropology broadly. Options include: cultural, linguistics, archaeology, biological and human biology.  

Courses

• 4 core 200-level courses (211, 213, 214, and 215) provide a background in the four major subfields of anthropology (archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology)  
• 370 examines the philosophical and historical roots of the discipline 
• 1 research course (322, 386, or 389) teaches research, analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills within a subfield of anthropology. Students concentrating in Human Biology must take the Human Biology Methods Course (Anth 386) – all other concentrations may take any 1 anthropology methods course. 
• 3 300-level courses selected from a subfield develop intellectual maturity in a subfield 

• 3 additional 300-level courses selected from any subfield course or research course develop intellectual maturity across the discipline 

Formal Studies Course (1 unit)

• 1 formal studies course 
• For Biological Anthropology and Human Biology the formal studies course must be fulfilled by STAT 202 or 210, or a statistics classes for particularly majors, such as PSYCH 201, ECON 381, or SESP 201. 
• For the Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology, and Linguistic Anthropology subfields statistics or another formal studies course can fulfill this requirement 

• A student with an AP score of 4 or 5 in Statistics places out of this requirement. 

The human biology concentration draws on both the biological and social sciences to combine a foundation in basic science with an integrative perspective on the human organism. Students will study human biology and health from a comparative and evolutionary perspective. It is a good option for students pursuing careers in the health sciences or graduate work in the biological sciences. 

For the joint Anthropology/MMSS major, MATH 385-0 counts as the formal studies requirement for anthropology and MMSS 300-0 counts as a 300-level anthropology course. 

Human Biology Concentration

The Human Biology concentration provides a unique opportunity for those interested in pursuing a pre-health concentration or hard science companion major in addition to a major in Anthropology. Many of the pre-health and hard science major pre-requisites are included as components of this concentration.  

First Year and sophomore year 

• 4 core 200-level courses 211, 213, 214, and 215 
• Core premedical requirements: 

• BIOL_SCI 201-0 Molecular Biology
  
• BIOL_SCI 202-0 Cell Biology & co-requisite BIOL_SCI 232-0 Molecular and Cellular Processes Laboratory
  
• BIOL_SCI 203-0 Genetics and Evolution & co-requisite BIOL_SCI 233-0 Genetics and Molecular Processes Laboratory
  
• BIOL_SCI 301-0 Principles of Biochemistry & BIOL_SCI 234-0 Investigative Laboratory
  
• CHEM 110, 131/141, 132/142 or 151/161, 152/162 or 171/181, 172/182  

• CHEM 215-1,2 with labs (235-1,2)  
• CHEM 212-1,2,3 and concurrent labs (which for 212-1 is 232-1, for 212-2 is 232-2, and for 212-3 is 235-3) 
• MATH 220, 224, or equivalent 
• PHYSICS 130-1,2,3/136-1,2,3 or 135-1,2,3/136-1,2,3 

Junior and senior years 

• 8 300-level courses in biological anthropology/human biology: 
• 370 and 386 (methods course) 
• 3 biological anthropology courses  
• 3 additional 300-level courses selected from any concentration  
• One formal studies related course which must be fulfilled by STAT 202 or 210, or a statistics course for particularly majors, such as PSYCH 201, ECON 381, or SESP 201.  A student with an AP score of 4 or 5 in Statistics places out of this requirement. 

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Applied Mathematics

The Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University offers the following undergraduate degree:

Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics

We also offer the following study options for undergraduates:

Combined BS/MS Degree

• Departmental Honors Program
• Co-op Program (internship)
• Study Abroad

Dual Degree Option

Students who enter Northwestern University with advanced placement credits often find they can complete two degrees within four years. The dual undergraduate degree option enables students to do industrial research in their discipline, and it can provide a solid foundation for graduate school.

Special Programs

Students in applied mathematics who are interested in finance, consulting, or business management often pursue the Kellogg Certificate for Undergraduates as a complement to their applied mathematics degree. Other special programs and certificates are available to undergraduate students.

Combined BS/MS Degree

Students may also be interested in the McCormick combined BS/MS degree program, which allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree simultaneously.

Graduates of the engineering sciences and applied mathematics department are well prepared to function as professional mathematicians, excel in graduate study, work to advance the field, or apply their knowledge in other areas that might include finance, business management, law, or medicine.

Research Opportunities

Students who conduct research in applied mathematics are incorporated into research groups that are a combination of faculty, post-graduate researchers, and students from both applied mathematics and various engineering and science disciplines. Projects are necessarily cross-disciplinary and apply to practical engineering and scientific topics.

Undergraduate Advisers

Applied math majors receive guidance from one of two advisers who help students choose courses suitable for their academic goals and support them in other ways to be successful. Each adviser follows his or her advisees throughout their academic career at Northwestern.

If you have questions about the program, its requirements, or opportunities, do not hesitate to contact either adviser.

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Biological Science 

Biology is the science of living systems, from molecular and cellular to organismal and ecological levels. Biology is also a living science that continues to make new and exciting discoveries revealing adaptations and relationships of organisms, the causes of human disease, generating new therapies, improving human health, and helping to understand ourselves. Biology majors choose an area of concentration representing one of the foundational modern biological disciplines.  Majors become experts in their area of concentration and attain a breadth of knowledge preparing them for careers in medicine, research, biotech and beyond.

The study of biology made large impacts on society historically and today. Biologists discovered evolution by natural selection to explain the origin and persistence of life on Earth. They discovered the replication and decoding of DNA information to explain inherited and sporadic diseases such as birth defects and cancer. Biologists identify the nature of infectious disease and the immune system, leading to antibiotics and vaccines. Crucially, biologists develop ways to detect and modify biomolecules, leading to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics. Ongoing research in biology is essential for confronting the health challenges of today and of the future.

ADVISING

We in Biological Sciences believe that regular advising within a major is an important aspect of a student’s undergraduate experience. Major advisors are assigned to undergraduates in biological sciences to give your academic career the benefit of expert guidance. Your major advisor will assist you with tailoring your major coursework to suit your Northwestern direction and career trajectory. Further, your major advisor will help you navigate your graduation requirements within the major.

 

FIRST-YEAR FOCUS

Getting Started/Declaring a Major in Biological Sciences

First year students at Northwestern: WELCOME to Biological Sciences in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences! 

Suggested Course Sequence for First-Year Students*

During the first year, students typically complete:

• One of the general chemistry sequences, culminating in CHEM 132, 152, or 172
• Calculus, culminating in MATH 218-3 or 220-2
• A course in statistics (for instance, STAT 202)
• BIOL SCI 201 Molecular Biology, in Spring Quarter

Students sometimes take Physics 130-1,2 or 135-1,2 during the first year, as allowed by their schedules; but more often, these courses are taken later. Students who place out of the entire general chemistry sequence, may take Chemistry 212-1,2 or 215-1,2 during the first year, instead.

Advanced Placement:

A credit of undifferentiated biology can be awarded based on an AP exam score.

It may be possible to place out of BIOL SCI 201-0 Molecular Biology, and thus into BIOL SCI 202-0, via our own online placement exam (which does not award course credit per se). Please note that this exam can only be attempted once and is offered during the summer. Students typically sit the placement exam in the summer prior to their first year at Northwestern.

Some Related Course requirements for our major can potentially also be waived due to placement exams scores (AP scores, or scores on exams given by other departments), including those in calculus, physics, general chemistry, and/or statistics.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Biological Sciences at Northwestern 

The Biological Sciences major educates undergraduates in foundations of modern molecular biological sciences, allows students to train to become experts in all specialized areas within modern biological sciences, and prepares them for future careers in biology-related sectors

CONCENTRATIONS

Specialization within a biology subfield is achieved at the upper-levels through completing a concentration that optimally prepares students for careers and graduate study after degree completion. 

CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2022-23 CATALOG

• Biochemistry & Biophysics
• Cell & Developmental Biology
• Human Health & Disease
• Computational & Systems Biology
  
• Molecular Genetics & Genomics
• Molecular Neurobiology
• Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology
• Interdisciplinary Biology

CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2019-2020 CATALOG

• Cell Biology & Physiology
• Biochemistry & Biophysics
• Molecular Genetics & Genomics
• Molecular Neurobiology
• Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology
• Interdisciplinary Biology

BIOLOGY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

The Biology Students Association (BSA) seeks to connect students with a common interest in biological sciences by providing a forum for discussion, bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world science, providing programs to help students involved in research labs at Northwestern, and engaging professors through seminars and mentorship.

BSA hosts social and academic events throughout the academic year, funded by the Undegraduate Major in Biological Sciences. Free food will be served at the majority of the events.

Events from the past include:

-Research seminar given by NU professors

Dr. Christine McCary delivers seminar: Biology Study Skills and Immunology.

– Research fair for undergrads to find labs

Students attending research fair sponsored by BSA.

– Social events

-Paw’s and Profs

– Philanthropy events including making cards for residents at Symphony of Evanston and project pumpkin

BSA members creating animal masks with children.

BSA Board:

EXECUTIVE BRANCH:

CAREER PATHS

A Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from Northwestern University provides our majors with the foundation for many different academic and professional opportunities.  In addition to pursuing advanced degrees at topflight medical and graduate schools, our graduates have recently been accepted in a variety of other educational and vocational settings including:

• MD/PhD Programs, University of Chicago, Feinberg, Rutgers, Cincinnati

• Clinical Research Coordinator, Feinberg Medical School

• Research Technician, Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute

• Associate Biologist, Coskata, Inc. (Biofuel Co.)

• Assistant Director, World Help Through Technology

• Intramural Research Training Award Fellow, NIH

• Microbiology Analyst, Geneva Laboratories

• Masters Program in Genetic Counseling, Acadia

• Dental School, UCSF

• EPIC Systems, Verona, WI

• Product applications specialist, Cole Parmer

• Intramural Research Training Award, National Institutes of Health

• Pharmacy School

• Microbiology Technician, AbbVie

• Medical scribe, City, MD

• MBA Program, UCLA

• Immediate Care Technician, Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care Center in Deerfield

• Health Administration Intern, Northwestern Medical Group Emerging Infectious

• Disease Training Fellow, Center for Disease Control/Assoc. of Public Health Laboratories

• Research Assistant, Schepens Eye Research Institute

• Microbiologist, Dental Technologies, Inc.

• Staff Research Associate, UCLA Medical Center

 

GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS

University- and College-wide Opportunities

Students in Biological Sciences have the opportunity to apply for a broad range of grants and fellowships. The Office of Undergraduate Research has a comprehensive search engine designed to help students seeking research funding. Some of the most popular grants are:

• Northwestern University Undergraduate Research Grants (Academic Year)
• Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Grants
• Northwestern University Summer Research Grants
• Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Summer Grants

Biological Sciences Summer Grants

Each year, Biological Sciences awards several grants, ranging from $1750 to $3500, to undergraduate students, to enable them to begin or continue their research over the summer. These grants are available to Biological Sciences Majors only. Students should contact Professor Chris Petersen preferably by April 15th.

2021 BioSci Summer Research Grant Winners

• Hadi Anwar
• Kalea Bartolotto
• Sophie Chang
• Ryan Gridley
• Kyndall Hadley
• Austin Li
• Nikola Stanic
• Cecilia Stumpf
• Nguyen Tran
• Sara Ungerleider

2021 WCAS BioSci Summer Research Grant Winners

• Fedor, Christopher
• Soltani, Hannah
• Morton, Claire
• Wang, Annie
• Feldman, Coral
• Stenger, Anna
• Hora, Elizabeth

External Summer Research Opportunities

National Institutes of Health
Training Programs in the Biomedical Sciences

The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Pediatric Oncology Education (POE)

The University of Texas Southwestern Summer SURF Program

Weizmann Institute of Science

 

OPPORTUNITIES

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MAJORS

Summer internship opportunity – MBL Biology of Aging Advanced Research Training Summer Course Assistant

The Marine Biological Laboratories (MBL) Biology of Aging Advanced Research Training Summer Course is looking for a highly organized and driven undergraduate student to join our team as a course assistant. This is a unique opportunity to learn and grow in the field of aging research. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet students and faculty members from all over the world and make valuable connections for your academic and professional career, but you’ll also be based in the picturesque town of Woods Hole on Cape Cod, Massachusetts with the Atlantic Ocean just steps away. In addition to the professional development opportunities, the position comes with a small stipend, room & board, and round-trip travel to Woods Hole.

IPR Summer Undergraduate Research Assistants Program

Northwestern Undergraduates:  You can earn money and gain hands-on research experience at the Institute for Policy Research as a Summer Undergraduate Research Assistant. Learn about the research process with IPR faculty experts and work on real studies.

IPR is accepting applications for its Summer Undergraduate Research Assistants Program.

Please visit IPR’s website

UC Davis Microbiology Graduate Program

There will be ‘Virtual Admission Info Sessions’ about UC Davis’s Microbiology Graduate Program on October 21^st at 3pm Pacific Time & October 28^th at 1pm Pacific Time. The Program Chair, Admission Committee member, Program Coordinator, and Student Reps will be available to share admission information and to answer questions about applying to the Microbiology Graduate Program at UC Davis.

The flyer for the event can be found here.

Please reach out to Karryn Doyle at kddoyle@ucdavis.edu with any questions.

Associate Program & Analyst Positions

The healthcare information firm Close Concerns is currently hiring graduating seniors for their two-year Associate Program, as well as Analyst Positions at their sister organization dQ&A, a patient-focused diabetes research company. This year, they are looking to hire seven motivated people with all types of skills, backgrounds, interests, and experiences to work within their supportive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Please reach out to Katie Lingen (she/her) at Katie.lingen@closeconcerns.com with any questions.

DOORS Scholarship Opportunity

This year The BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute) is partnering with Promega to provide the DOORS scholarship to 10 talented students. This is a $5,000 scholarship being offered for Juniors and Seniors from underrepresented backgrounds. BTCI is a nonprofit, independent organization which shares the BTC building with Promega Corporation. The BTCI exists to offer training in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing; support the development of high technology industries; facilitate science, technology, nature discovery and arts programs for the youth; and enable community organizations to offer educational and cultural programs.

Visit this website for more information.

Please note the Sept 30 deadline to apply.

Scholarship Opportunity

Each year, the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (GIC HIMSS) offers two (2) $2,500 scholarships to students enrolled in accredited undergraduate, masters, and post-graduate programs in health management, health information technology (HIT), health-focused management programs, or other technology programs with an HIT focus.  

The application for this opportunity is now open and can be accessed here. The application deadline is midnight U.S. Central time on November 13, 2022.

You can also read more about this opportunity on this flier.

Pharmacoengineering PhD Program

Division of Pharmacoengineering & Molecular Pharmaceutics (DPMP) at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy is offering a PhD program! DPMP is the only graduate program concentrated solely on delivery of pharmaceuticals and vaccines (drug delivery) and we focus on translating therapies from bench to beside.

There will be a Zoom information session about this program on Tuesday October 4th at 6:00pm Eastern Time. It is open to everyone, and you can register .

Submit a question to be answered at the webinar here.

Flyer: undergraduate/pharmacoengineering-recruitment-flyer-for-oct-4-6pm-est-info-session.pdf

Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (MAFS) Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Outreach

• The D&I committee has put forward a mission to contact midwestern colleges and universities which offer STEM degree programs.  With this, we are hoping to distribute information about the opportunities we offer college students who have an interest in forensic science. 
• The D&I committee is interested in getting students from underrepresented backgrounds to consider a career in Forensic Science. MAFS, and the forensic science community, can benefit from having new and diverse employees from different cultures and backgrounds.
• Inquiries about this opportunity? Email Elizabeth Griffin at EGriffin@isp.IN.gov  

Volunteer/Course-Credits Interns Needed in the Exercise and Health Lab

Teaching Laboratory Position

UChicago Biological Sciences Collegiate Division is looking for a Teaching Lab Tech. Please click here for more information.

Northwestern’s Master of Science in Law (MSL) Program

• The MSL curriculum focuses on aspects of law and policy that are most relevant to technology and other STEM professionals: business law, entrepreneurship, innovation, regulatory strategy, intellectual property, data privacy & security, healthcare, and many others 
• MSL classes are taught by a combination of core Northwestern Law faculty and an impressive group of industry experts, including entrepreneurs in the biomedical field and faculty from the Feinberg School of Medicine and the Kellogg School of Management.  
• The program can be completed full-time in nine months, or part-time online in two to four years.  

For more information: an online information session coming up on Wednesday, May 18^th at 5:30pm CT – this is a great way to learn more about this innovative program and hear directly from faculty and students. Students can register directly via this link.  

University of Kentucky’s Dept. of Toxicology & Cancer Biology – Master’s Programs

Master’s in Forensic Toxicology & Analytical Genetics

• This program has 2 concentration focuses:
  • Forensic Toxicology/Chemistry
  • Forensic/Analytical Genetics
• The program curriculum contains two internships, which will provide students with hand-on experiences necessary to exit the program and be competitive in the job market
• No GRE requirement
• Tuition for this program is assessed at a special tuition rate for all students (in- and out-of-state), which represents a significant savings for out-of-state students
• Link for more information: http://toxicology.med.uky.edu/tox-professional-master-forensic-toxicology-and-analytical-genetics
• Application Deadline: Applications received before April 1, 2022 will receive priority consideration. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Master’s in Toxicology

• Toxicology – Students investigate the effects of toxic agents on humans and our environments
• No GRE requirement
• Link for more information: https://toxicology.med.uky.edu/tox-about-1
  • The admission requirements are the same as the PhD’s admission requirements which can be found here: https://toxicology.med.uky.edu/graduate-program
• Application Deadline: Applications received before April 1, 2022 will receive priority consideration. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Positions for Rare Disease Research at the University of Pennsylvania

The Gene Therapy Program (GTP) at the University of Pennsylvania is currently hiring for entry-level through senior director positions! Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, GTP has been a leader in the development of innovative vector technology for close to three decades. Led by Dr. Jim Wilson, we’ve cultivated a dynamic research environment that has emerged as the “go-to” organization for public and private partners who want to participate in the gene therapy space and help patients with rare diseases.

Any questions about these openings can be sent directly to GTP’s Human Resources Team (psom-gtphr@pobox.upenn.edu).

Flyer: gtp-flyer.pdf

 

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Biomedical Engineering

The undergraduate program in biomedical engineering at Northwestern University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The goal of our undergraduate program is to provide an education that prepares students to lead, innovate, and self-educate throughout their careers.

Our curriculum provides students with core biomedical engineering fundamentals. Beyond the core, students take 4 electives that provide depth in a particular area or breadth across biomedical engineering. Students wishing more depth may focus on:

• Biomechanics and Rehabilitation
• Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine
• Imaging and Biophotonics

Opportunities for students to engage in career development programs within and beyond the classroom are plentiful and can be tailored to a student’s unique interests.  Students commonly broaden their perspectives by participating in one or more of the following:

• Research – When undergraduate students conduct research in our department, it provides them with hands-on experience in modern laboratories. It also allows students to develop in-depth knowledge in a particular field in which they’re interested, and it can provide them with a glimpse at what awaits them in graduate study.
• Co-operative Engineering Education Program (Co-op) – an opportunity for engineering students to alternate periods of academic study with full-time engineering experience in industry.
• Study Abroad – Our students take advantage of the plethora of study abroad programs offered by Northwestern. One that is of particular interest to biomedical engineering students the Global Healthcare Technologies program, designed exclusively for engineering students.
• Special Programs – Please see this extensive list that includes numerous certificate and minor opportunities as well as non-academic options
• BME-focused clubs – Many students to engage with a BME-related club to provide service to the department and their peers or to extend their skills in the design of medical devices.

Students wishing to find out more about the field of biomedical engineering will likely find the following resources to be quite helpful:

• American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineers (AIMBE) is a non-profit organization whose vision is to provide leadership and advocacy in medical and biological engineering for the benefit of society. There are excellent resources on the Educate webpages that provide a great deal of information about the field of biomedical engineering and careers within it.
• IEEE Education Resources

 

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Chemical and Biological Engineering

Society is being reshaped by the technological application of the tools of modern biology. Bioprocessing plays a key role in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and agents for gene and cell therapies. In addition, biological approaches play a pivotal role in the processing of corn and biomass into fuels like ethanol.

This minor provides specific training for students to enter and contribute to these growing industries. It also provides an in-depth preparation for future graduate study for those interested in biotechnology research. Unlike “areas of specialization” within engineering majors, this minor will appear on a student’s transcripts, providing credentials for prospective employers or graduate schools.

Required Courses

This minor consists of 10 units: six core courses, one quarter of laboratory, and three electives.

Core Courses

Six courses in biological science and biochemical engineering:

• BIOL SCI 201: Molecular Biology *
• BIOL SCI 202: Cell Biology * CHEM ENG 275 Molecular and Cell Biology for Engineers may replace either BIOL SCI 201 Molecular Biology or BIOL SCI 202 Cell Biology
• BIOL SCI 203: Genetics and Evolution
• BIOL SCI 301: Biochemistry
• CHEM ENG 375 Biochemical Engineering
• CHEM ENG 377 Bioseparations

Laboratory Experience

Biology Laboratories. All of the following (0.34 units each)

• BIOL SCI 232 Molecular and Cellular Processes Laboratory
• BIOL SCI 233 Genetics and Molecular Processes Laboratory
• BIOL SCI 234 Investigative Laboratory

Or one unit of 399 Independent Study in an approved laboratory.

Electives

Three electives providing opportunity for greater depth in both fundamental biology and engineering applications. For a list of the electives that fulfill this requirement, please download one of the forms below:

Additional Requirements

• A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in the courses in the minor.
• Students must earn a BA/BS degree from Northwestern University to earn the minor.
• No more than five units may be double counted to fulfill requirements in the major program.
• A maximum of two (2) classes not offered by the department may be taken p/n for the minor. Students must also comply with departmental and McCormick p/n regulations for courses that double count between the minor and the major program.
• Students not majoring in Chemical Engineering should take the Bio Sci core courses (201, 202, 203, and 301, formerly Biol Sci 215, 217, 219) listed in the minor before taking Chem Eng 375 and 377.  In addition, students should take Thermodynamics (Chem 342-1) and recommended Advanced Cell Biology (Bio Sci 315) to prepare for Chem Eng 375 and 377.
• Students must submit a completed Petition to Receive form for the minor to the McCormick Academic Services Office before the beginning of their final quarter as undergraduates.

Additional Information About the Minor

• Since the minor is geared toward students interested in the bioprocess industries, it fits very naturally within the chemical engineering major. However, students from other fields such as biomedical engineering, environmental engineering, or biology may also be interested.
• There are differences between the minor and the bioengineering area of specialization in the chemical engineering major. Although both options have a similar focus, the minor covers both greater depth and breadth due to its more extensive course requirements. Students interested in biotechnology but unable to complete the minor requirements can pursue the bioengineering specialization.
• If you’re a premed student, the minor is compatible with standard medical school requirements.
• Completing the minor will generally allow students to complete the master of science in biotechnology program in four quarters, rather than five.

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Chemistry

WHY BE A CHEMISTRY MAJOR STUDENT?

Students major in chemistry for a variety of reasons:

• About 40% of the students in our program are interested in pursuing a research career in chemistry. The lab intensive chemistry major program and the research opportunities available to students within the program provide excellent preparation for students wishing to continue on to graduate programs in chemistry. Graduates of our program typically have offers to attend several of the best chemistry graduate programs in the country.
• About 40% of the students in our program are interested in pursuing a career in the medical or dental fields. The laboratory emphasis of the chemistry major program provides significant opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to work with their hands, to think creatively, to troubleshoot experiments, and to solve problems on the fly, all qualities that medical schools recognize are important for professionals in medicine. Graduates of our program attend the best medical schools in the country.
• About 20% of the students in our program are interested in a career in other professions which can benefit significantly from a solid knowledge of chemistry. Such careers might include patent law, investment and other consulting areas, veterinary science, positions in chemical industry without completion of a graduate degree, and numerous other more unusual applications of chemistry.

CHEMISTRY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Students planning to major in chemistry should become thoroughly familiar with the degree requirements for both the University and the Department. The information given here is intended to supplement that given in the Undergraduate Catalog and to aid the student and their advisor in planning a suitable program of study. Majoring in chemistry will require the student to complete a sequence of related courses outside of chemistry, a set of core courses in chemistry, and a series of courses in an area of concentration. Each of these aspects of the program is described below as well as in the Undergraduate Catalog. Students wishing to declare a major in chemistry should contact Dr. Fred Northrup, Director of Undergraduate Studies.

 

GENERAL CHEMISTRY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Course requirements in the chemistry major include related courses in other sciences that are required to understand the chemistry course material, core courses in several areas of chemistry, and concentration courses allowing students to narrow their area of focus later in the program.

RELATED COURSES

Mathematics: Math 220-1, 220-2, 230-1 and 230-2 or their equivalent.
Physics: Physics 135-1,2 and 3 OR Physics 125-1,2 and 3 (ISP students)
Biochemistry: Biological Sciences 301 or Biological Sciences 241 (ISP students)

The required courses in math and physics listed here are intended to provide the chemistry major student with a solid base in these areas integral to the study of chemistry. Various other options are possible for completion of the math requirements; student admission to these other advanced course programs in math is made through the Department of Mathematics. It is strongly suggested that students complete the necessary math and physics courses as early as possible in their undergraduate program.

Students entering Northwestern with advanced placement in Physics may use this to fulfill the physics requirement. In the event that a student has advanced placement in non-calculus-based physics (Physics 130) the student should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Chemistry to determine if the physics requirement can be fulfilled simply by taking the remaining physics courses in the Physics 135 sequence.

 

CORE CHEMISTRY COURSES

Students majoring in chemistry must complete a specified set of core courses which is intended to provide a solid and well-rounded base from which to continue in the field of chemistry. The core program consists of the following courses:

General Chemistry: Chemistry 171 and 172 (with associated lab courses 181 and 182) or Chemistry 151 and 152 (with associated lab courses 161 and 162) or Chemistry 110, 131, and 132 (with associated lab courses 141 and 142). Students may meet this requirement through AP or IB examination performance or via the Northwestern Chemistry Placement Examination prior to the first year.
Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 212-1, 2, and 3 (with associated lab courses 232-1, 232-2, and 235-3) or Chemistry 215-1, 2, and 3 (with associated lab courses 235-1, 2 and 3).Students are encouraged to take the Chemistry 212 sequence of courses for the chemistry major.
Instrumental Analysis: Chemistry 220
Inorganic Chemistry: Chemistry 333
Physical Chemistry: Chemistry 342-1 (Thermodynamics) and Chemistry 342-2 (Quantum Mechanics) and Chemistry 342-3 (Kinetics and Stat Thermo); or Chemistry 348 (ISP only; majors who are also ISP majors need only take this course to fulfill the Physical Chemistry portion of the core program.)
Advanced Laboratory: Chemistry 350-1, 2, and 3

 

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Areas of concentration draw upon courses within the department as well as in other departments. Each student must complete two (2) courses in a selected area of concentration, typically during their final year of study. There are six (6) areas of concentration as well as a self-designed concentration area. The six areas along with their associated courses are as follows:

Biochemistry
Chem 305, Chem 314, Chem 316, Chem 432, Biol Sci 361
Environmental Chemistry
Chem 306, Chem 393, Chem 445 (Chemistry of Alternate Energy), Civil Engineering 260, Civil Engineering 314, Civil Engineering 365, Civil Engineering 367
Inorganic Chemistry
Chem 302, Chem 411, Chem 432, Chem 433, Chem 434, Chem 435
Organic Chemistry
Chem 309, Chem 313, Chem 314, Chem 316, Chem 319, Chem 410, Chem 411, Chem 412, Chem 415
Physical Chemistry
Chem 442-1, Chem 442-2, Chem 443, Chem 444, Chem 445, Chem 448
Materials/Nanotechnology
Chem 307, Chem 308, Chem 309, Materials Science 201, Materials Science 301, Materials Science 331, Materials Science 370

SELF-DESIGNED CONCENTRATION

Students interested in an area of concentration other than those listed here may design a series of two courses with a consistent theme in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Chemistry.

CHEMISTRY MAJOR PROGRAM FOR HONORS PROGRAM IN MEDICAL EDUCATION (HPME) STUDENTS

The chemistry major requirements for HPME students include all of the general chemistry major requirements with the following changes:

By WCAS regulations, students in the accelerated HPME program are permitted two course waivers in their major program. For the chemistry major, only one of these waivers may be used for a core program course; the second waiver may be used for a concentration course.

CHEMISTRY SECOND MAJOR FOR ISP STUDENTS

The Integrated Science Program (ISP) is a highly selective BA program in Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences requiring students to take courses in a wide variety of sciences, including chemistry. Students majoring in ISP who wish to complete a second major in chemistry take a slightly different set of courses for the chemistry major:

• Core program: Chem 171/172 (with associated lab courses 181 and 182) or equivalent, Chem 212-1, 2, 3 (with associated lab courses 232-1, 232-2, and 235-3), Chem 220, Chem 333, Chem 348 (material equivalent to Chem 342-1, 3; material equivalent to that in Chem 342-2 is covered in physics quantum mechanics courses required for all ISP major students), Chem 350-1, 2, 3
• Concentration: 2 courses from a selected concentration area

 

CHEMISTRY MAJOR PROGRAM FOR SECONDARY TEACHING

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences students pursuing a major in chemistry who also wish to be certified for secondary school teaching must be admitted to the Secondary Teaching Program in the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) and complete all requirements as outlined in the SESP chapter of the course catalog. Students are urged to contact the Office of Student Affairs in SESP as early as possible in their academic careers and to discuss this program with Dr. Fred Northrup, Director of Undergraduate Studies to plan their schedule appropriately.

 

GRADUATION WITH HONORS

Graduating seniors who have demonstrated a solid academic record as well as a strong research effort during their time at Northwestern may want to put themselves forward for consideration by the Department and WCAS for Graduation with Honors in Chemistry.

The Chemistry Department’s Honors Committee would need to make a recommendation to the College Honors Committee on behalf of any student to be considered by the College for Graduation with Honors. To be recommended by the Department for honors the student must meet the following requirements:

• Complete, or have nearly completed, the requirements for the major in chemistry.
• Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.3 or above in chemistry courses, excluding Chem 398 or Chem 399 research courses. In the case of extraordinary accomplishments in research, such as authorship on a published research paper or contribution of an independent idea that had a major impact on a particular research project, a student with a GPA < 3.3 might be considered for graduation in honors. Under no circumstance will a student with a GPA < 3.0 in chemistry be considered for graduation with Honors.
• Be engaged in independent research while a student and have completed a minimum of two quarters of Chemistry 399, Independent Study, prior to spring quarter of the senior year.
• Submit a Senior Thesis based on this research (see below).
• Provide a strong letter of nomination for Graduation with Honors from their research advisor (see below).

The Chemistry Department Honors Committee will meet to review the letters of recommendation and discuss the candidates. After considering all the pertinent information, the committee will vote on the nature of the work. A positive vote of the committee is required for honors designation. The decision of the committee is final.

For more information on Graduation with Honors for chemistry majors, it is strongly suggested that students contact Dr. Fred Northrup, Director of Undergraduate Studies.

THE SENIOR THESIS

During the fall term of their senior year graduating seniors will be contacted by the Department about Graduation with Honors in Chemistry. Students wishing to put themselves forward for consideration should send an e-mail message (including the name of the research advisor) to the Director of Undergraduate Studies during fall of senior year, and would then prepare a Senior Thesis during the winter term of their senior year. The thesis should reflect all or some portion of the student’s independent research at Northwestern, but the topics selected are up to the student and the student’s advisor. To qualify for honors, the research must have an “original” component, where “original” is defined as not being a straightforward repetition of previous work with no changes. Inputting data into a canned program for analysis does not qualify as original work. When the work is part of a team effort, that aspect of the work carried out by the honors student must have the same “original” component. Independent research is defined as carrying out some aspect of the work individually. Independence does not require an independent proposal of new research ideas or new procedures.

The document itself should be in the standard format of any article being submitted for publication to a refereed journal. Students are encouraged to consult the ACS Style Guide in preparing their Senior Thesis. Students are also encouraged to discuss the thesis with their advisor before the preliminary submission is made to receive assistance on the format and content of the thesis.

The deadline for submitting the thesis is the end of the first week of the spring term of the student’s final year at Northwestern. Two copies are to be submitted to the department for review by this date.

Once submitted the Departmental Honors Committee will have the thesis reviewed by a member of the faculty. This anonymous reviewer will make suggestions to the student on how the thesis itself might be made stronger. This review typically will take two weeks. The reviewer will return the thesis, along with any comments or suggestions to the committee which will in turn return it to the student. The student would then have one week to address any suggestions and correct the originally submitted thesis. Once this is done one copy of the thesis and an electronic version shall be submitted to the department for final review.

Students wishing to see examples of previous senior theses are directed to the chemistry major Canvas site.

 

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Human Development in Context

The Human Development in Context (HDC) program examines how people develop, influence, and shape their social settings–families, communities, educational institutions, and the workplace–across their lifespan. HDC courses focus on theories of individual and family development; the local and global dynamics of learning; and cognition, social relations, and policy. This interdisciplinary program draws from current and actionable theory, research, and practice from areas as diverse as psychology, sociology, intercultural studies, gender studies, economics, and policy science.

---

Curriculum

As a student in HDC, you must complete the following:  

Total requirements—42 units

• Distribution requirements—10 units
• SESP Core—8 units
• Foundations courses—1 unit
• Concentration cluster courses—5 units
• Extension courses—7 units at any level, 3 units 300-level courses
• Electives—8 or fewer as needed to complete the 42-unit degree requirement

---

Real-World Practical Experience

HDC students learn flexible ways of thinking and working with people to better understand development at every stage of life and across diverse contexts. All HDC students complete a one-quarter practicum internship for academic credit during their junior year to apply the skills they developed in the classroom. The program is offered year-round.

Our graduates can step into many different fields and professions. Students often begin working in human resources, customer success management, curriculum development, psychological research, teaching/education, social work, crisis intervention, outreach, and community education. 

Recent HDC practicum sites have included:

• 826 Valencia
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Pediatric Development Center
• Evanston Township High School
• Erie Neighborhood House, Expanded Learning Programs for Children and Youth
• Department of Homeland Security

---

Flexible Coursework

Students are challenged to think of human development from multiple perspectives.  In addition to core courses in life span development, research, and statistics, students have the flexibility to tailor the program to their own special interests. Many students choose to have a second major or minor while maintaining HDC as their primary course of study.

Many undergraduate students also participate in research apprenticeships and independent studies with faculty in the School of Education and Social Policy.  Faculty members research a variety of topics, including the psychobiology of stress, educational policy and change, motivation across the lifespan, economics of health and happiness, and community-based participatory engagement.

---

After SESP

With their strong academic background and real-world experience, HDC students are well prepared for many postgraduate opportunities across diverse contexts. Students work in human resources, customer success management, curriculum development, research, teaching/education, social work, crisis intervention, outreach, and community education and many other areas. Approximately 25 percent of HDC alumni attend graduate school immediately after earning their bachelor’s degree from SESP and others pursue graduate work later in their careers.  HDC provides an excellent foundation for graduate work in many areas, including education, psychology, social work, law, medicine, public policy, and counseling.

Jobs

• Allstate Insurance Company
• Capgemini Consulting
• City Year
• Epic
• Kirkland and Ellis
• LinkedIn
• Morgan Stanley
• NorthShore Pediatric Therapy
• Special Olympics
• Teach for America

Graduate School and Fellowships

• Columbia University – Social Work
• Fulbright Fellowship
• Loyola University Chicago – School Counseling
• Northwestern Public Interest Program
• Northwestern University – Management Studies
• University of Texas at Austin – Developmental Psychology

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, from the level of individual genes and proteins that control neural activity to mechanisms that govern complex human behavior. Northwestern’s undergraduate major in Neuroscience offers courses spanning these diverse topics, as well as interdisciplinary coursework through five Allied Fields.

Neuroscience students will be well-prepared for future careers in research, medicine, the biotech and other industries, science journalism, or patent law.

First Year:

First year students entering NU beginning in 2020-21 who are interested in Neuroscience typically complete the Chemistry and Math requirements listed under Related Courses and BIOL_SCI 201-0 in their first year (see Neuroscience Major Requirements).

• Chemistry choose one of the series below
  • CHEM 110-0; CHEM 131-0 and CHEM 132-0; CHEM 141-0 and CHEM 142-0 or
  • CHEM 151-0 and CHEM 152-0; CHEM 161-0 and CHEM 162-0 or
  • CHEM 171-0 and CHEM 172-0; CHEM 181-0 and CHEM 182-0 or
  • CHEM 125-0 (For ISP Students from years prior to 2020)
  • CHEM 1×0, 1×1, 1×2 and 0.34 credit lab courses, 11x, 12x (awarded for AP credit).
• Mathematics choose one of the series below
  
  • MATH 220-1,  MATH 220-2
  • MATH 218-1, MATH 218-2, MATH 218-3
• Biological Sciences
  • BIOL-SCI 201-0Molecular Biology

Other good choices for first year students include:
Computer Programming, Statistics, and/or PSYCH 110-0 (if you are planning to take it)

Second year:

Sophomores beginning in 2021-22, may take the two Core courses, NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0 (but see Premed below).

• NEUROSCI 202-0 – Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Available to declared neuroscience majors only!
• NEUROSCI 206-0 – Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience
  

See Allied Field web pages to identify courses that fulfill requirements for each Allied Field. Prerequisites are also listed in CAESAR.

Advanced Placement: To determine if your AP/IB score may be counted toward Neuroscience, first see the Weinberg AP/IB webpage. Some scores earn Weinberg credit that the Registrar records with a number identical to an NU course ( e.g. AP score 4 on Mathematics AB test = MATH 220-1). In all cases, this score counts toward the Neuroscience major as if it were that numbered course. Other scores earn Weinberg credit denoted with a number containing “X” (e.g. AP score 4 on Chemistry test = CHEM 1X0).  Neuroscience allows “X” -credit to count toward Chemistry, Computer Programming, and Physics, but not Statistics or Biology. Note that credits awarded may depend on the year the test was taken, as explained on the Weinberg AP/IB tables. For “X” credit, ask a Neuroscience adviser for course equivalency.

NOTE: If you arrive with CHEM AP credit, it may be possible for you to take NEUROSCI 202-0 in your first year. Speak with a Neuroscience adviser before Fall classes begin to discuss this.

Premedical students

It is very common for students preparing for medical school to major in Neuroscience. A course plan that best suits the individual student is worked out in advising. Most students should take no more than two CHEM, PHYSICS, BIOL_SCI, or NEUROSCI lecture courses in a given quarter. Beyond the first year, students planning to apply to medical school typically take Organic Chemistry in sophomore year and Physics in junior year, leaving room for only one other “science” course per quarter in these years. BIOL_SCI 202-0, 203-0, and 301-0 are only offered in Fall, Winter and Spring respectively. NEUROSCI 202-0 is currently offered in Fall and Winter, while NEUROSCI 206-0 is offered in Winter and Spring. See a Neuroscience adviser early to discuss schedule options.

Transfer students

Transfer students come in with a wide variety of backgrounds. Students interested in Neuroscience should meet with a Neuroscience adviser before enrolling in Fall classes.

ISP

It is possible to complete a double major in ISP and Neuroscience with an Allied Field of Computation and Systems Modeling and ISP by completing the following five courses in addition to NEUROSCI 311-0 (next offered in Winter 2024).

• NEUROSCI 206-0 -Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience – Available to declared neuroscience  majors only!
• Two Neuroscience electives with a primary focus on human behavior and the human brain
• Two Neuroscience electives with a primary focus on molecular, cellular, and systems level mechanisms of brain function

HPME

• It is possible for students in the Honors Program in Medical Education to complete a major in Neuroscience. Please make an appointment for Neuroscience advising in first year.

 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

 

NEUROSCIENCE

Core and Elective Courses within Neuroscience are listed below:

Neuroscience Core courses (2 required)

• NEUROSCI 202-0 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience*
• NEUROSCI 206-0 Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience*

Neuroscience Electives (choose 4, 2 each from Group A and Group B)

Group A electives focus on human behavior and the human brain (choose 2):  

• COG_SCI 210-0 Language and the Brain
• CSD 303-0 or PSYCH 327-0 Brain and Cognition
• CSD 310-0 Biological Foundations of Speech and Music
• PSYCH 110-0 Introduction to Psychology
• PSYCH 228-0 Cognitive Psychology
• PSYCH 244-0 Developmental Psychology
• PSYCH 248-0 Health Psychology
• PSYCH 330-0-1 Topics in Neuroscience Brain and Language, this course substitutes for Cognitive Science 210-0
• PSYCH 324-0 Perception
• PSYCH 328-0 Brain Damage and the Mind
• PSYCH 391-0 Advance Seminar in Cognition or Neuroscience. Please provide a syllabus for one of these seminars for consideration.
• PSYCH 392-0 Advanced Seminar. Allowed sections include 1. Psychoneuroimmunology and 2. The Emotional Brain.Please provide a syllabus for other sections of these seminars for consideration.

Projected Annual Course Plans: COG_SCI, CSD, PSYCH

Group B electives focus on molecular, cellular, and systems level mechanisms of brain function (choose 2):

• NEUROSCI 303-0 Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropsychopharmacology*
• NEUROSCI 304-0 Developmental Neurobiology* 
  
• NEUROSCI 308-0 Genetics of Human Behavior*
• NEUROSCI 320-0 Animal Behavior*
• NEUROSCI 324-0 Neurobiology of Biological Clocks and Sleep*
• NEUROSCI 325-0 Neurobiology of Stress, Adversity, and Resilience*
• NEUROSCI 326-0 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory*
• NEUROSCI 350-0 Advanced Neurophysiology Laboratory*
• NEUROSCI 355-0 Neurogenetics of Behavior Laboratory*
• NEUROSCI 357-0 Neuroanatomy Laboratory*
• NEUROSCI 360-0 Neuroscience of Brain Disorders*
• NEUROSCI 365-0 Neurobiology of Prediction* Offered Biannually
• NEUROSCI 370-0 Genetic and Circuit Analysis of Motivated Behavior*
• NEUROSCI 377-0 Neurobiology of Sensation and Perception*
• NEUROSCI 390-0 Topics in Neuroscience*
• BIOL_SCI 303-0 Molecular Neurobiology
• BIOL_SCI 307-0 Brain Structure, Function, and Evolution
• ES_APPM 370-1 Introduction to Computational Neuroscience
• NEUROSCI 311-0 Biophysical Analysis of Neurons for ISP* (With approval of the director of undergraduate studies, if not used in place of NEUROSCI 202-0) Offered Biannually

Projected Annual Course Plans:BIOL_SCI, ES_APPM, NEUROSCI

 

BIOLOGY ALLIED FIELD

Biology is the study of living organisms at molecular, cellular, systems, and community levels. Within the Neuroscience major, the Biology Allied Field includes courses that focus on the biological functions of the brain, as well as more general biological sciences courses. This option may be used toward admission requirements of most medical schools.

Electives in the Biology Allied Field (choose 4 units, 2 courses which must be 300-level or above).

For Neuroscience Majors who declared prior to August 2021, 6 units chosen from the list below.

Courses in the first group are listed separately because they are prerequisites for some of the additional electives in Biology.

The Biology introductory curriculum has changed. Bio 215-0 and Bio 219-0 have been offered for the last time. Instead, BIOL_SCI 202 (fall 2021) and 203 (winter 2022) may be used as electives in the Neuroscience major’s Biology Allied Field.

• CHEM 210-1 or CHEM 212-1 or CHEM 215-1 Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 210-2 or CHEM 212-2 or CHEM 215-2 Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 210-3 or CHEM 212-3  or CHEM 215-3 Organic Chemistry
• BIOL_SCI 215-0 Genetics and Molecular Biology
• BIOL_SCI 219-0 Cell Biology (formerly BIOL_SCI 216-0)
• BIOL_SCI 301-0 or BIOL_SCI 308-0 Biochemistry (formerly BIO_ SCI 218-0)
• CHEM 232-1  Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (laboratory for CHEM 212-1, 0.34 units)
•  CHEM 232-2 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (laboratory for CHEM 212-2, 0.34 units)
• CHEM 235-1 or CHEM 230-2  Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (laboratory for CHEM 210-2 or CHEM 215-1, 0.34 units)
• CHEM 235-2 or CHEM 230-2  Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (laboratory for CHEM 210-2 or CHEM 215-2, 0.34 units)
• CHEM 235-3 or CHEM 230-3  Advanced Chemistry Laboratory (laboratory for CHEM 210-3, or CHEM 215-3, 0.34 units)
• BIOL_SCI 220-0 or BIOL_SCI 232-0 Genetic and Molecular Processes Laboratory (0.34 units)
• BIO_ SCI 221-0 or BIOL_SCI 233-0 Cellular Processes Laboratory (0.34 units)
• BIOL_SCI 222-0 or BIOL_SCI 234-0 Investigative Laboratory (0.34 units)

Additional Electives in Biology

Neuroscience courses listed here may be taken as a Group B Neuroscience elective or an elective for the Allied Field in Biology, but each course may count either toward Group B or the Allied Field in Biology and not both.

• NEUROSCI 303-0 Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropsychopharmacology*
• NEUROSCI 304-0 Developmental Neurobiology* 
  
• NEUROSCI 308-0 Genetics of Human Behavior*
• NEUROSCI 320-0 Animal Behavior*
• NEUROSCI 324-0 Neurobiology of Biological Clocks and Sleep*
• NEUROSCI 325-0 Neurobiology of Stress, Adversity, and Resilience*
• NEUROSCI 326-0 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory*
• NEUROSCI 350-0 Advanced Neurophysiology Laboratory*
• NEUROSCI 355-0 Neurogenetics of Behavior Laboratory*
• NEUROSCI 357-0 Neuroanatomy Laboratory*
• NEUROSCI 360-0 Neuroscience of Brain Disorders*
• NEUROSCI 365-0 Neurobiology of Prediction*
• NEUROSCI 370-0 Genetic and Circuit Analysis of Motivated Behavior*
• NEUROSCI 377-0 Neurobiology of Sensation and Perception*
• NEUROSCI 390-0 Topics in Neuroscience (with approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies)
• BIOL_SCI 303-0 Molecular Neurobiology
• BIOL_SCI 307-0 Brain Structure, Function, and Evolution

Projected Annual Course Plans: NEUROSCI

Biological Sciences courses listed here also may be counted toward the Allied Field in Biology.

• BIOL_SCI 303-0 Molecular Neurobiology (This course may count either toward Group B Neuroscience electives or the Allied Field in Biology, but not both.)
• BIOL_SCI 307-0 Brain Structure, Function, and Evolution (This course may count either toward Group B Neuroscience electives or the Allied Field in Biology, but not both.)
• BIOL_SCI 309-0 Concepts and Logic in Biochemistry
• BIOL_SCI 310-0 Human Physiology
• BIOL_SCI 315-0 Advanced Cell Biology
• BIOL_SCI 319-0 Biology of Animal Viruses
• BIOL_SCI 321-0 Physical Biochemistry
• BIOl-SCI 323-0 Bioinformatics: Sequence and Structure Analysis
• BIOL_SCI 325-0 Animal Physiology
• BIOL_SCI 327-0 Biology of Aging
• BIOL_SCI 328-0 Microbiology
• BIOL_SCI 341-0 Population Genetics
• BIOL_SCI 344-0 Anatomy of Vertebrates
• BIOL_SCI 353-0 Molecular Biology Laboratory
• BIOL_SCI 354-0 Quantitative Analysis of Biology
• BIOL_SCI 355-0 Immunobiology
• BIOL_SCI 356-0 Endocrinology
• BIOL_SCI 358-0 Advanced Physiology Laboratory
• BIOL_SCI 359-0 Quantitative Experimentation in Biology
• BIOL_SCI 360-0 Principles of Cell Signaling
• BIOL_SCI 361-0 Protein Structure and Function
• BIOL_SCI 378-0 Functional Genomics
• BIOL_SCI 380-0 Biology of Cancer
• BIOL_SCI 381-0 Stem Cells and Regeneration
• BIOL_SCI 390-0 Advanced Molecular Biology
• BIOL_SCI 391-0 Development and Evolution of Body Plans
• BIOL_SCI 393-0 Human Genomics
• BIOL_SCI 395-0 Molecular Genetics

 

CHEMISTRY ALLIED FIELD

Chemistry is the study of the molecular structure, properties, and reactions of matter. Within the Neuroscience major, the Chemistry Allied Field focuses on organic chemistry, chemistry of life processes, and the uses of chemistry in biological experimentation, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

Electives in the Chemistry Allied Field (choose 4 units, 2 courses which must be 300-level or above).

For Neuroscience Majors who declared prior to August 2021, 6 units chosen from the list below.

Courses in the first group are listed separately because they are prerequisites for some of the additional electives in Chemistry.

• CHEM 210-1 or CHEM 212-1 or CHEM 215-1 Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 210-2 or CHEM 212-2 or CHEM 215-2 Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 210-3 or CHEM 212-3  or CHEM 215-3 Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 220-0 Introductory Instrumental Analysis
• CHEM 232-1 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (laboratory for CHEM 212-1, 0.34 units)
• CHEM 232-2 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (laboratory for CHEM 212-2, 0.34 units)
• CHEM 235-1 or CHEM 230-2 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (laboratory for CHEM 215-1 or CHEM 210-2, 0.34 units)
• CHEM 235-2 or CHEM 230-3 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (laboratory for CHEM 215-2 or CHEM 210-3, 0.34 units
• CHEM 235-3 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (laboratory for CHEM 215-3 or CHEM 212-3, 0.34 unit)

Additional Electives in Chemistry

• CHEM 305-0 Chemistry of Life Processes
• CHEM 307-0 Materials and Nanochemistry
• CHEM 308-0 Design, Synthesis, and Applications of Nanomaterials
• CHEM 316-0 Medicinal Chemistry: The Organic Chem of Drug Design and Action
• CHEM 329-0 Analytical Chemistry
• CHEM 342-1 Thermodynamics
• CHEM 342-2 Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
• CHEM 342-3 Kinetics and Statistical Thermodynamics
• CHEM 348-0 Physical Chemistry (for ISP)
• CHEM 350-1 Advanced Laboratory 1

 

COMPUTATION AND SYSTEMS MODELING ALLIED FIELD

Computation and Systems Modeling is the quantitative study of complex problems and systems through the use of mathematics, physics, and computer simulation. Within the Neuroscience major, the Computation and Systems Modeling Allied Field focuses on equipping students with analytical tools that are used to study neural information processing and dynamics, often involving large datasets.

Electives in the Computation and Systems Modeling Allied Field (choose 4 units, 2 courses which must be 300-level or above).

For Neuroscience Majors who declared prior to August 2021, 6 units chosen from the list below.

Courses in the first group are listed separately because they are prerequisites for some of the additional electives in Computation and Systems Modeling.

For ISP students, ISP courses listed below may count toward both ISP requirements and Computation and Systems Modeling.

• MATH 230-1 Multivariable Differential Calculus
• MATH 230-2 Multivariable Integral Calculus
• MATH 240-0 Linear Algebra
• MATH 250-0 Elementary Differential Equations

Any one of the series below is an alternative for the above four classes:

• MATH 281-1, MATH 281-2, MATH 281-3 Accelerated Mathematics for ISP: First Year
• MATH 285-1, MATH 285-2, MATH 285-3 Accelerated Mathematics for MMSS: First Year
• MATH 290-1, MATH 290-2, MATH 290-3 MENU: Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus
• MATH 291-1, MATH 291-2, MATH 291-3 MENU: Intensive Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus

Additional electives in Computation and Systems Modeling

• ES_APPM 370-1 may be used as an Allied Field course in CSM or for the Computer Programming requirement, but not both
• MATH 310-1,MATH 310-2, MATH 310-3 Probability and Stochastic Processes
• MATH 311-1, MATH 311-2, MATH 311-3 MENU:Probability and Stochastic Processes
• MATH 325-0 Complex Analysis
• MATH 334-0 Linear Algebra: Second Course
• MATH 351-0 Fourier Analysis and Boundary Value Problems
• MATH 353-0 Qualitative Theory of Differential Equations
• MATH 354-1 Chaotic Dynamical Systems
• MATH 360-1, MATH 360-2 MENU: Applied Analysis
• MATH 368-0 Introduction to Optimization
• MATH 381-0 Fourier Analysis and Boundary Value Problems for ISP
• MATH 382-0 Complex Analysis for ISP
• PHYSICS 330-1 Classical Mech
• PHYSICS 330-2 Classical Mechanics
• PHYSICS 332-0 Statistical Mechanics
• PHYSICS 337-0 Physics of Condensed Matter
• PHYSICS 339-1, PHYSICS 339-2 Quantum Mechanics
• PHYSICS 339-3 Particle and Nuclear Physics
• PHYSICS 352-0 Introduction to Computational Physics
• PHYSICS 357-0 Optics Laboratory
• PHYSICS 360-0 Advanced Physics Laboratory
• PHYSICS 361-0 Classical Optics and Special Relativity
• PHYSICS 371-0 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
• STAT 210-0 Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences
• STAT 232-0 Applied Statistics
• STAT 301-1, STAT 301-2, STAT 301-3 Data Science 1, 2, 3
• STAT 302-0 Data Visualization
• STAT 320-1, STAT 320-2, STAT 320-3 Statistical Theory & Methods 1, 2, 3
• STAT 328-0 Casual Inference
• STAT 342-0 Statistical Data Mining
• STAT 344-0 Statistical Computing
• STAT 348-0 Applied Multivariate Analysis
• STAT 350-0 Regression Analysis
• STAT 352-0 Nonparametric Statistical Methods
• STAT 354-0 Applied Time Series Modeling and Forecasting
• STAT 356-0 Hierarchical Linear Models
• STAT 383-0 Probability and Statistics for ISP

 

HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND COGNITION ALLIED FIELD

Human Behavior and Cognition covers neuroscientific research that is focused on understanding human mental functions, including perception, memory, attention, reasoning, and decision-making. Within the Neuroscience major, the Human Behavior and Cognition Allied Field includes courses in Cognitive Science, Communication Sciences, and Psychology.

Electives in the Human Behavior and Cognition Allied Field (choose 4 units, 2 courses which must be 300-level or above).

For Neuroscience Majors who declared prior to August 2021, 6 units chosen from the list below.

The two courses in the first group are required and are prerequisites for many additional electives in Human Behavior and Cognition.

• PSYCH 110-0 Introduction to Psychology
• PSYCH 205-0 Research Methods in Psychology*

Additional electives in Human Behavior and Cognition

Courses listed here may be taken as a Group A Neuroscience elective or an elective for the Allied Field in Human Behavior and Cognition, but each course may count either toward Group A or the Allied Field in Human Behavior and Cognition, and not both.

• COG_SCI 210-0 Language and the Brain
• CSD 303-0/PSYCH 327-0 Brain and Cognition
• CSD 310-0 Biological Foundations of Speech and Music
• PSYCH 110-0 Introduction to Psychology
• PSYCH 228-0 Cognitive Psychology
• PSYCH 244-0 Developmental Psychology
• PSYCH 248-0 Health Psychology
• PSYCH 324-0 Perception
• PSYCH 328-0 Brain Damage and the Mind

Courses listed here may be taken as electives for the Allied Field in Human Behavior and Cognition but will not count toward Group A Neuroscience electives.

• COG_SCI 207-0 Intro to Cognitive Modeling
• COG_SCI 211-0 Learning, Representation, and Reasoning
• PSYCH 303-0 Psychopathology*
• PSYCH 336-0 Consciousness*
• PSYCH 370-0 Cognitive Development*
• PSYCH 372-0 Language and Cognition*
• PSYCH 374-0 Human Memory*
• PSYCH 378-0  Images of Cognition*
• PSYCH 391-0 Advanced seminar in Cognition or Neuroscience. Please provide a syllabus for other sections of these seminars for consideration.
• PSYCH 392-0 Allowed sections include 1. Psychoneuroimmunology and 2. Emotional Brain. Please provide a syllabus for other sections of these seminars for consideration.

 

 

NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH LABS

If you are looking for a lab, planning to begin any time Winter, Spring, or Summer 2023, here is where to begin. Download a CURRENT list (as of Nov 8, 2022) of faculty whose labs will consider taking on students for research positions (399, volunteer).

You will need to search faculty names to discover their research interests. The contact person may not be the faculty member. Please note the age student they will consider, the earliest start date for research, and minimum requirements. Do not contact faculty on the list at the bottom, “No new positions for undergrads 2022-23”.

 

ADVISING AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Advising appointments are currently by Zoom videoconferencing

We are here and are always ready to discuss your interests and course plans. Dr. Justin Brown will be taking appointments on Tuesdays between 10 am and 4:30 pm beginning June 17th through September 20th.

Throughout the summer, please make advising appointments by emailing neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu. In the email requesting an appointment, please provide your student id number and your availability between 10 am and 4:30 pm CST on Tuesdays with Dr. Brown.

Once you have begun your online petition to graduate form, please request an appointment to complete the process by emailing neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu listing several times between 10 am and 4 pm CST, on Tuesday, when you are available to speak with Dr. Brown.

ABOUT THE NEUROSCIENCE MAJOR

Modern Neuroscience is increasingly interdisciplinary, crossing traditional boundaries to address new opportunities and challenges in understanding brain function and dysfunction. Northwestern’s undergraduate major in Neuroscience is designed to prepare students by providing both deep training in Neuroscience and opportunities for additional study in a related Allied Field.

Earning a degree in Neuroscience will prepare students exceptionally well for graduate study in Neuroscience or related fields, medical school, careers in the pharmaceutical, biotech or other industries, or for other science-related careers such as science journalism or patent law.

Neuroscience students can expect to gain:

A Strong Intellectual Foundation

• A deep understanding of the structure and function of nervous systems, the mechanisms by which the brain generates behavior, as well as the history, major ideas, and research approaches used in Neuroscience through coursework spanning molecular mechanisms that control brain development and function through analysis of complex human behavior
• Additional knowledge and experience in a discipline closely allied with Neuroscience through coursework in a chosen Allied Field
• A rigorous foundation of basic knowledge in Math, Chemistry, Physics, and Physiology through Related Coursework

Skills in Research, Critical Thinking and Communication

• An understanding of the methods used to study the nervous system including specific experimental techniques relevant to Neuroscience, the design, analysis, and interpretation of experiments using specific techniques, and the strengths and limitations of those techniques
• The ability to critically evaluate the published scientific literature
• The opportunity to conduct independent research
• The ability to make effective arguments and communicate clearly orally and in writing
• An understanding of statistical and computational methods for data analysis through Related Coursework

Perspective on Ethical Issues in Neuroscience

• An appreciation of ethical issues raised by the growing body of neuroscientific information and the implications for society
• An understanding of the ethical use of animals in research
• The ability to become well-informed consumers of scientific information

 

NEURO CLUB

WildCat Connection |  neuroclub@u.northwestern.edu

This website is under construction please follow this link for an updated version: Northwestern University Neuro Club

Neuro Club is open to any student who wishes to join

 

AFFILIATED ACADEMIC PROGRAM

PROGRAM IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (PBS)

Through the interdisciplinary Program in Biological Sciences, renowned faculty in Neurobiology and the Molecular Biosciences departments collaborate to provide a state-of-the-art curriculum in Biology and related fields. In addition to taking a comprehensive introductory set of courses, our undergraduates are able to focus on one of six areas of concentration, including:

• Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology
• Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Cell Biology and Physiology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Plant biology
• Interdisciplinary Biology

Students have the opportunity to learn in a variety of environments, from classrooms and laboratories to on-site classes at the Field Museum of Natural History and the Chicago Botanic Garden.

 

PROGRAM IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

The mission of the Program in Biological Sciences at Northwestern University is to provide:

• A modern curriculum for students wishing to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences
• State-of-the art training for students interested in research and other science-based careers

This mission is accomplished through:

• A rigorous, broad-based curriculum combined with specialization in sub-fields of biology
• Attentive individualized advising
• Excellence in classroom teaching
• Extensive independent research opportunities for undergraduates, including long-term mentoring
• Research grant program to encourage immersion in summer research experiences

The overall goals of the Program in Biological Sciences are to provide a comprehensive education in biology for all of our majors and to offer an outstanding training ground for students wishing to pursue post-graduate degrees or go on to professional schools.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Why Participate in Undergraduate Research?

• Through the challenge of state-of-the-art research opportunities, undergraduates receive training that develops and improves their scientific skill set.
• Personalized mentored research at the undergraduate level provides undergraduates with training and experience to go on to competitive professional/graduate schools and career positions in research laboratories.
• Undergraduates who take on research projects become full members of an active research laboratory, enriching their educational experience and providing them with opportunities for major scientific discovery.

Academic Year/Summer Research Opportunities and Research Grants

Several sources are available for undergraduates to land research grants during the academic year and/or the summer.

• Northwestern Education and Undergraduate Research on Neuroscience (NEURON)
• Neuroscience Undergraduate Summer Research Grants
• Northwestern University Undergraduate Research Grants
• Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (WCAS) Grants for Undergraduate Research
• Conference Travel Grants
• Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)
• Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience (CURE)
• Northwestern Career Advancement’s Summer Internship Grant Program (SIGP)
• NU PS-OC Summer Research Experiences for Students
• Cancer Health Disparities Summer Research Program
• Program in Biological Sciences

More Research Opportunities, Fellowships, and Grants

Keep an eye out here for upcoming opportunities.

• DAAD RISE and RISE Pro (Research Experience in Science and Engineering) funded summer research opportunities in Germany for undergraduate and graduate students in the STEM fields. For more information, please visit https://www.daad.de/rise/en/.
• Undergraduate research information

NEURON

NEURON: NORTHWESTERN EDUCATION AND
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ON NEUROSCIENCE

NEURON is a competitive research and professional skills development program for students with a strong commitment to research and who are considering a career in neuroscience research.  The goals of NEURON are to increase opportunities for Northwestern undergraduate students to participate meaningfully in research, enhance their learning from research, promote interdisciplinary interactions, and integrate undergraduates more fully within the broader Neuroscience community at Northwestern.

Because a key component of NEURON is mentorship, the student must identify an in-lab research mentor (faculty, post-doctoral researcher or graduate student member of the lab) who will be responsible for mentoring and providing quarterly feedback to the student (and the Major).

A separate role is played by NEURON partners. Partners are postdocs or senior grad students who are not specifically paired with one student, instead serving as “big brother/big sister” to all NEURON students.

Undergraduate NEURON candidates must be declared Neuroscience majors who have completed one year of study at Northwestern, hold sophomore, junior, or senior status, and have completed at least 2 quarters of research in their current lab.

NEURON provides:

• Enhanced mentorship support, peer guidance from postdoc and grad student mentors, and an opportunity to interact with like-minded students.
• Monthly group meetings that include lab tours, scientific skills workshops, journal clubs, information on careers in science, student presentation, and information interactions among faculty, postdocs and graduate students.
• Free membership, registration, and an opportunity to present at the Chicago chapter of the Society for Neuroscience Meeting.
• The opportunity to apply for travel awards (up to $1000) to attend scientific meetings.

Once a member of NEURON, students must meet certain minimum requirements to remain in the program. NEURON applications are resubmitted annually.

NEURON Partners Postdoctoral fellows or senior graduate students (3rd year and above) who have a strong interest in mentoring undergraduate students should apply to be NEURON Partners. NEURON Partners are expected to actively engage in student mentorship and interactions throughout the year. This includes helping to organize and present monthly meetings which will include presentations on science communication, lab tours, journal clubs, student research presentations on informal discussions. NEURON partners must have support and consent of their research advisors to take part in the program.

NEURON offers a $2000/year stipend to each partner.

NEUROSCI 399-0

NEUROSCI 399-0 provides course credit to students who choose to do mentored independent research in Neuroscience or a related Allied Field. With a commitment of at least 10 hours per week, students will learn practical laboratory skills and troubleshooting as well as intellectual and analytical skills through a laboratory project.

Spring 2023 Requirements

For new students requesting NEUROSCI 399-0-60 for spring 2023:

In order to receive a permission number for spring 2023, a student must provide a 1 page proposal written with their mentor stating what the student will be researching, showing a timeline of what they hope to accomplish and a 10 hour weekly schedule listing when the research will be performed. An email from your mentor stating that they will mentor you in their laboratory is also required. Please email this documentation to neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu.

If you are unsure your project is related to neuroscience, then request a meeting with Dr. Kilman by emailing neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu to determine if the project is suitable for NEUROSCI 399 credit. Please list when you are available to meet with Dr. Kilman, Monday thru Friday, 11 am until 4:30 pm and if you prefer an in-person or zoom meeting.

If approved, then a permission number will be issued once documentation from the laboratory faculty mentor and student is complete. Permission numbers for spring 2023 will be issued the first week of spring term.

Deadline to submit requests for spring 2023 NEUROSCI 399-0 is Friday, March 31st, 2023 but you may still request a permission number by providing the above requested documentation asap. Additional steps are required but will be discussed on an individual basis after the documentation is received.

Returning student researchers in NEUROSCI 399-0:

If you have taken NEUROSCI 399-0-60, you do NOT need to request a meeting with Dr. Kilman to approve your project unless you switch laboratories. You will need to submit the documentation as listed above and request a permission number for spring 2023 NEUROSCI 399-0-60 by Friday, March 31st by noon.

If approved, then a permission number will be issued once documentation from the laboratory faculty mentor and student is complete. Permission numbers for spring 2023 will be issued on or before the first week of spring term.

Deadline to submit requests for spring 2023 NEUROSCI 399-0 is March 31st, 2023 but we strongly encourage earlier submission.

 

Grades for NEUROSCI 399-0 requirements:
In order to receive a grade for NEUROSCI 399-0 for winter 2023, students are required to submit a 1-2-page summary of their research. If you plan to take NEUROSCI 399-0 in the spring, simply add one paragraph at the end of your summary stating that you will continue your research and add a timeline. This summary must be written with and approved by your faculty mentor. We suggest you give the summary to be reviewed by your mentor by March 10th.

Final summaries are due by March 13th at 5 pm. Your faculty mentor assigns the grade which is then reviewed by Dr. Valerie Kilman.

Requests for permission numbers for spring 2023 NEUROSCI 399-0-60 for new students must follow the guidelines as required for spring 2023 students. An email from your mentor stating that they will mentor you in their laboratory is also required. Please email this documentation to neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu.

 

NEUROSCIENCE UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH GRANTS

Neuroscience Undergraduate Summer Research Grants 2023

We are accepting applications for Neuroscience Undergraduate Summer Research Grant. Proposals will be funded at $4000 for 8 weeks full-time summer research in a Northwestern University laboratory on a neuroscience topic. Only declared Neuroscience majors are eligible. No outside work or classes are permitted during the grant award period and no travel is funded.

Applications are due by email to neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu by 5 pm Friday, May 12, 2023. Only complete and on-time applications will be considered.

The ~2 page single-spaced research proposal should include the following sections.

Research

• Background/introduction to place the work in context
• The open question
• A testable hypothesis
• Methods
• Possible outcomes
• In-text citations
• Bibliography at the end of the research section
• A paragraph or table describing a rough 8-week timeline of the work to be accomplished

Personal

• A paragraph describing your preparation for this work
• The following: your name, studentID, netid, phone, major, primary school at NU, anticipated quarter of graduation, faculty mentor (NU faculty, not post-doc or grad student), daily lab mentor (if different from faculty).

If you applied to SURG or WCAS for summer funds, you may submit the same or an amended version to Neuroscience but multiple awards are not permitted.

In addition to this proposal, the faculty mentor (not the post-doc or grad student) should send an email directly to neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu  with the following:

•  A 1-paragraph endorsement of the student
• Who will be available to train the student on a daily basis
• A statement accepting primary responsibility as the student’s mentor, including supporting their intellectual development as a scientist, providing timely feedback on student’s writing, and ensuring the student presents their work at lab meeting or a similar venue.

Students selected for funding will be expected to present their work at an end-of-summer symposium if health conditions permit.

NEUROSCIENCE SUMMER RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Currently, we have no plans to host the Annual Neuroscience Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium on campus in August of 2022. Please check back here periodically for any updates.

 

HONORS IN THE MAJOR

HONORS IN NEUROSCIENCE

Am I a candidate to be considered for honors in the Neuroscience major?

All of the following are required of candidates for honors in Neuroscience:

• GPA equal to or greater than 3.3 both overall in all courses and also in all courses that may count toward the Neuroscience major (including a maximum of two quarters of NEUROSCI 398-0 and NEUROSCI 399-0) through winter quarter of senior year.
• Completion of equal to or greater than 2 quarters of NEUROSCI 398-0 and NEUROSCI 399-0 by the end of winter quarter senior year. One of those quarters should be NEUROSCI 398-0, the Senior Thesis Seminar, taken in winter quarter of senior year.  NEUROSCI 398-0 will cover the format, composition, and standards for scholarly content of a senior thesis.
• Submission of a senior thesis by the late April date listed in the Timeline below and meeting all other deadlines set forth in the Timeline as well.

After submission, the thesis will be evaluated by the Neuroscience Honors Committee. If the thesis is judged to meet standards for honors, and all other criteria are met, the candidate may be recommended to the WCAS Honors Committee.

The WCAS Honors Committee makes the final decision as to whether honors in Neuroscience will be awarded, weighing the recommendation of the department, GPA, and other factors.

 Timeline

• Before 2022 Winter Quarter: Complete at least one quarter of NEUROSCI 399-0.
• November 15th, 2022: File an application to write a thesis with the Office of the Neuroscience Major.
• 2023 Winter Quarter: Complete NEUROSCI 398-0, Senior Thesis Seminar.
• April 30th, 2023: Submit completed Senior Thesis and email of approval from Faculty Adviser to the Office of the Neuroscience Major by 5:00pm.
• Mid-May: Recommendations are made by the Neuroscience Honors Committee to the WCAS Honors Committee
•  June: Decisions are announced by the WCAS Honors Committee usually 3 days prior to convocation.

NOTE: While it is possible to write a Senior thesis based on work begun in Fall of senior year, the strongest theses will result from longer research experiences. It is not unusual for students to include work spanning 2-3 academic years and 1 or more summers in a Senior thesis.

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Psychology

 

 

Northwestern Pre Med Majors – Sociology

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Northwestern’s Department of Sociology is a major hub of intellectual activity in the field of sociology.  It is a top-ranked program that features world-class faculty whose work sets the research agenda in the study of race, gender, sexuality, law, historical sociology, economic sociology, political sociology, urban sociology, ethnography, science and technology, and culture. Indeed, our faculty is among the most eminent in the discipline. It includes recipients of fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation and Guggenheim Foundation as well as inductees into the American Academy of Political and Social Science and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

As deeply rooted as our faculty members are in the field of sociology, they are also strongly interdisciplinary in their inclination. Many members of the faculty are jointly appointed in other departments and programs at Northwestern, and some have connections with extramural organizations such as the American Bar Foundation in downtown Chicago.

The undergraduate program benefits in many ways from the quality of the faculty and breadth of their interests. Our undergraduate students are exposed to some of the most recent and influential ideas in the field, and they have the chance to take classes from some of the most esteemed members of the discipline. A favorable student-faculty ratio means that our undergraduate students have ample opportunity for close interaction with the faculty in small classroom settings.

The mission of the undergraduate program is straightforward. At the most basic level, it shares the same broad pedagogical aims as every other liberal-arts program. It tries to teach students how to read critically, think clearly, and write persuasively. But it also has more specialized aims that are specific to sociology. Whether you are a major, minor, or taking your only sociology class, our undergraduate program is designed to help you build a foundation of sociological knowledge; learn how to assess the quality of different types of empirical evidence; and develop a capacity to reason sociologically about new and unfamiliar problems.

We are pleased to offer thirty to forty undergraduate classes in any given year. A small number of them are large classes led by dynamic lecturers—for instance, David Schieber’s Introduction to Sociology (Sociology 110). There is a larger selection of medium-sized classes, such as Rebecca Ewert’s Environment and Society (Sociology 212), Beth Redbird’s Social Inequality: Race, Class Power (Sociology 201), and Andy Papachristos’s Guns in the United States (Sociology 276). And, of course, there is a substantial selection of smaller, upper-division courses on a very wide range of topics, including Katrina Quisumbing King’s Empire (Sociology 376) and Stephen Epstein’s Race, Gender, Sex & Science (Sociology 376). Whether you are interested in gaining some basic exposure to sociology or diving into a specialized topic in great detail, our department offers a plethora of interesting options.

Students who have a strong interest in sociology can choose to major in it. At any given moment during the school year, there are eighty to a hundred students majoring in sociology. About one-quarter to one-third of them are double majors. Sociology majors are responsible for taking a larger number of courses, but they also gain a wide exposure to sociology and can explore their interests in greater depth. A unique strength of sociology as one of the social sciences is the diversity of empirical evidence that sociologists consider, and our majors not only learn how such evidence is generated but also how to evaluate the quality of such evidence. The completion of all major requirements leads to a B.A. in Sociology.

All majors have the option of choosing a concentration. A concentration is a departmental-level designation that indicates a student has taken an approved selection of courses in a particular area of focus. Our majors can choose from seven distinct concentrations. Click here for more information.

Majors who wish to pursue a capstone project can elect to write a senior thesis. Students who write a senior thesis take a two-quarter sequence of courses in the Fall and Winter Quarter of their senior year, and they work closely with the honors coordinator and a faculty advisor on their project. Thesis writers learn how to formulate and motivate a well-posed question; how to work out an appropriate research design; how to collect and analyze data; and how to write up their results in a compelling way. Thesis students are strong candidates for academic-year Undergraduate Research Grants, which can help defray some of the costs associated with their research. For more information on the senior thesis, click here.

If they meet the other requirements for nomination, majors who complete a thesis with distinction may be nominated for departmental honors.

Students with a strong interest in sociology but less room in their schedule may wish to consider minoring in sociology. We usually have anywhere from forty to sixty minors in any given year. There are two options for minors. Students with general interests in sociology can choose to minor in Sociological Studies. Students with special methodological interests can choose to minor in Sociological Research.

For more information on majoring or minoring in sociology, click here.

As liberal-arts students, sociology graduates come away from their undergraduate studies with a range of strong skills that are attractive to employers. Among the most important are the ability to analyze and assess many different types of evidence; the ability to comprehend and absorb information quickly and accurately; and the ability to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively in spoken or written word. Graduates from the undergrad program have gone on from Northwestern to work for a broad spectrum of employers, ranging from non-profit groups like American Civil Liberties Union and the Art Institute of Chicago to Leo Burnett (advertising) and Merrill Lynch (finance). Many of our graduates have also gone on to graduate and professional school in law, medicine, and social work. Majoring in sociology can give you plenty of career options.

Have a look around, and please feel free to get in touch with me if you find yourself asking questions that our website cannot answer.

Thanks for your interest!

Karrie Ann Snyder
Director of Undergraduate Studies
karrie-snyder@northwestern.edu