Program Learning Outcomes: Neuroscience

Upon completion of the Neuroscience major, through the completion of course work and their senior thesis, a student will have demonstrated that they can think critically and creatively about neuroscience, plan and execute a sustained research project, and clearly communicate their understanding/findings both in written and oral presentation. The student will be able to:

• demonstrate understanding of foundational material that spans the disciplines of Biology and Psychology 

• integrate these perspectives to draw connections between both disciplines

• choose and define important and contemporary topics of inquiry from the major field

• independently execute a significant research project under the mentorship of an adviser 

• develop new knowledge, whether integrative or innovative

• develop cogent and testable hypotheses, and design and critique logical experiments

• identify, analyze, critique, and evaluate existing scholarship 

• select and conduct appropriate data analysis and interpretation

• apply ethical standards to research, including an understanding of the planning and approval steps for conducting research on humans and other vertebrate animals

• write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project and in the style and format appropriate to the field

• present, discuss and defend their work orally to scientific and non-scientific audiences. 

The primary assessment tool for learning in the major at Reed and the level of student achievement in these areas, is the senior thesis; in addition, the junior qualifying examination offers a secondary assessment tool for student learning in the Neuroscience major.