Neuroscience - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre
Students have the opportunity to explore the fast-growing field of neuroscience in a structured, challenging, and satisfying way.
Home / Neuroscience Neuroscience We want our students to do neuroscience, not just read about it. Hands-on study is the best possible training for a career and the best way to become a scientifically literate citizen. You will learn tangible skills that apply across disciplines, all while benefiting from our proximity to Oregon Health & Science University and the diverse natural environments of the Pacific Northwest. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Minor in Neuroscience? Our innovative and interdisciplinary program emphasizes original research and critical thinking. The neuroscience minor leverages the expertise of faculty members from seven distinct academic departments across the sciences and humanities. You will have the opportunity to explore the rapidly evolving field of neuroscience in a structured, challenging, and satisfying way. We provide an in-depth investigation of nervous-system function while allowing you to pursue a major in another discipline. We also offer robust opportunities for experiential learning through fieldwork, internships, and paid student-faculty research. Our students graduate with excellent career preparation skills, knowing how to write grants, read scientific literature critically, reason quantitatively, and work in teams. Apply Visit What You’ll Study Our students are required to take coursework that trains them to consider scientific problems from the perspective of disciplines outside their major. Neuroscience students are often deeply involved with faculty research that spans many subfields, including behavioral genetics, cognitive neuroscience, and neurobiology, providing opportunities rarely available to undergraduates. We believe this active, interdisciplinary approach is the best preparation for your professional life outside Lewis & Clark. Many Lewis & Clark students—unlike students at other schools—earn course credit toward their neuroscience minor while on an overseas program . In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are programs with a biochemistry, biology, or psychology focus. Outside the classroom, many neuroscience students get involved in cutting-edge research, available through classes and the paid Rogers Summer Science Program . Many of our students take advantage of additional research opportunities at the nearby Oregon Health & Science University, doing summer research internships and even senior thesis projects. Students interested in careers in the health professions often complete clinically relevant volunteer and internship experiences at a variety of hospitals and clinics in the area. We provide extensive guidance to help students find and secure these opportunities. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
Abnormal Psychology with Visiting Professor Kate Schoeneman
I enjoy learning about mental disorders, and Prof. Schoeneman has stories from her career that help give context and feeling/reality to the disorders we discuss.
Neurobiology with Associate Professor Tamily Weissman-Unni
No class has been as illuminating, fascinating, and downright fun as this one. This course fully delved into the mechanics and properties of neurons and the nervous system, and it brought me into a group of enthusiastic students with a fervor to discuss, learn, and grow in the field of neuroscience.
This class expanded my perspective of and interest in the field of neuroscience. The brain is such a complex and interesting part of the human body that fascinates me. This class has allowed me to view aspects of the world in a different manner.
Complement Your Education With One of These Majors The most popular majors for our neuroscience minors are biology , biochemistry and molecular biology , and psychology . What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark I joined my internship because of the great real-life exposure that it gave me in psychology and neuroscience. Ela Gore BA ’26 Psychology | Neuroscience | Thane, India More about Ela Intro to Psychology with Jolina Ruckert was my favorite class. This class expanded my perspective of and interest in the field of neuroscience. The brain is such a complex and interesting part of the human body that fascinates me. This class has allowed me to view aspects of the world in a different manner. Saheli Singh BA ’22 Biology | Pomona, California More about Saheli The human brain has evolved into an incredibly complex system with fantastic quirks, which neuroscience seeks to understand. It’s a new field, a captivating one, and studying it brings me joy along with developing new skills. Katya Schwieterman BA ’24 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Neuroscience | Paonia, Colorado More about Katya What Can You Do With a Minor in Neuroscience? Our alumni use their minor in neuroscience in a wide variety of careers—including research, medicine, public health, teaching, and law—and many attend graduate school or doctoral programs in the health professions. They work in academia, in industry, with nonprofits, and for local, state, and federal governments. Many of them apply the skills they have acquired in problem solving, critical thinking, writing, and speaking to fields other than neuroscience. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Neuroscience faculty rely on their students to be collaborative researchers in the lab, providing an opportunity that’s rarely available to undergraduates at other schools. Students are frequent coauthors on peer-reviewed faculty publications and professional presentations. Meet the Professors I cannot imagine a lab without my undergrad collaborators! I love to watch my students develop into thoughtful, independent investigators. Associate Professor of Psychology Todd Watson More about Todd 2,139 As of fall 2024, there are 2,139 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College. Top For the seventh time in 11 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for 2023–24. Equity We are the only liberal arts school in Oregon on Colleges of Distinction’s “Best Equity and Inclusion” list for 2025–26. 19 Average class size for undergraduate students 12% of our students are from countries other than the U.S. Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition . Find Your People Students can join a variety of student-run organizations that relate to their neuroscience minor, like Math Club , Physics Club , and Pre-Health Club . Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list ? Start something new and build your own community of peers! The brilliant and supportive professors at L&C prepared me for the rigor of graduate school. The heavy workload is still tough to balance, but I’m confident that my academic experiences at L&C prepared me to not only manage it, but excel academically as well. Alexa Hanson BA ’20 Psychology | Neuroscience | Alameda, CA More about Alexa The mentorship from my pre-med advisor, combined with Lewis & Clark’s commitment to a liberal arts and sciences curriculum, made a tremendous difference in my path to medical school. Jaelen Hodges BA ’23 Psychology | Neuroscience and Health Studies (double) | Eugene, Oregon More about Jaelen Featured News Finding Post-Grad Success Graduating from Lewis & Clark College means you will earn a bachelor of arts degree that is grounded in critical thinking, written and verbal communication skills, teamwork, and problem solving—all of the essential qualifications you need to succeed in any career. Read the story More News and Events → Neuroscience is located in BoDine on the Undergraduate Campus. Chairs Norma Velazquez-Ulloa and Todd Watson Neuroscience Lewis & Clark 615 S. Palatine Hill Road Portland OR 97219 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
