The neuroscience program at Hope College is unique. Interdisciplinary to the core, it is open to students wishing to major or minor in neuroscience and incorporates courses from biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, nursing, philosophy and psychology.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system, the most complex organ system in the body. It's allied closely with many fields of study and, in turn, influences everything from education to medicine to ethics. Our program is made up of a variety of associated departments that work well with the study of neuroscience, creating a great melting pot for interested students.

“Truly the best part of my education at Hope College. The faculty and curriculum involved with the Neuroscience Program are clearly top notch and wonderful people.”
—Program assessment survey

the program

Interdisciplinary questions are at the core of neuroscience. Psychologists, biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians, philosophers and others are investigating important and complex questions, such as how language develops, the causes of neurodegenerative diseases and the processes underlying learning. Neuroscience serves as an excellent framework for engaging you in the exciting inquiry that is made possible by asking interdisciplinary questions.

Hope’s neuroscience program was established in 2005 as a minor degree program based in an interdisciplinary system with the support of a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. After many years of continued growth, Hope added a neuroscience major degree program in 2019. 

“Striking a perfect mix between traditional classrooms, group discussion of published literature, and hand-on, self-directed research, the neuroscience program truly immerses students in a life of science.”
—Program assessment survey

Our Students

The neuroscience major formally debuts in the fall of 2019. Prior to this formal major curriculum, over 20 students have completed composite majors. Most of these students are now in graduate programs in neuroscience, medical school or working as research technicians in labs at institutions like Johns Hopkins and the University of Michigan.

Students who minored in neuroscience paired their minor with majors in: 

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Engineering
• English
• Kinesiology
• Mathematics
• Music
• Nursing
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political science
• Psychology
• Religion
• Social work

Our introductory course, Loading..., does not have any prerequisites and is open to all students. We invite you to get involved as early as your first semester on campus.