Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Dartmouth College

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience at Dartmouth College offers an interdisciplinary study of the brain, nervous system, cognition, and behaviour, combining biology, psychology, and scientific research. It suits students interested in understanding how the brain works and exploring future opportunities in neuroscience research, healthcare, biotechnology, or postgraduate study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Foundational Sciences: Students build a foundation through introductory biology, chemistry, and psychology courses while completing Dartmouth’s general education requirements. These subjects introduce the biological and behavioural principles needed for advanced neuroscience study.

Year 2: Core Neuroscience: Students progress into foundational neuroscience coursework, studying neuronal communication, brain organisation, and the relationship between neural processes and behaviour. Supporting courses in biology and psychology strengthen their understanding of the scientific mechanisms behind cognition and perception.

Year 3: Advanced Neuroscience and Laboratory Experience: Students explore core subjects such as PSYC 35: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, PSYC 37: Behavioral Neuroscience, and PSYC 36: Systems Neuroscience with Laboratory. These courses examine cellular processes, brain systems, and the physiological foundations of behaviour, with laboratory work introducing practical neuroscience techniques.

Year 4: Specialisation and Independent Research: Students select advanced electives such as PSYC 40: Introduction to Computational Neuroscience and PSYC 50.01: Neuroscience of Mental Illness, according to their interests and the courses approved for the major. They complete a culminating experience through an approved seminar, independent research, or a neuroscience thesis, developing skills in scientific analysis and communication.

Focus Areas:

Cellular and molecular neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, behavioural neuroscience, systems neuroscience, computational neuroscience, perception, learning, and neurological and mental health conditions.

Learning Outcomes:

Understanding brain function and behaviour, evaluating scientific research, applying statistical and quantitative methods, developing laboratory skills, interpreting experimental data, and communicating scientific findings.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Professional alignment: Prepares students for further study and entry-level opportunities in neuroscience research, biotechnology, and biomedical science. Accreditation: Neuroscience is an academic major, not a professional clinical qualification; additional education and licensing are required for regulated healthcare careers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Career preparation: Dartmouth's interdisciplinary curriculum, laboratory coursework, and independent research options help students prepare for employment or postgraduate study. A verified neuroscience-specific employment rate or salary figure is not available in the official program information.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience at Dartmouth College combines classroom learning with laboratory experience and opportunities to explore how the brain influences cognition and behaviour. Students can develop practical research skills through neuroscience laboratory courses, faculty-guided projects, and access to Dartmouth's neuroscience research community. These experiences help students strengthen experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication skills.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

- Systems Neuroscience Laboratory (PSYC 36): Students explore the anatomy and physiology of the mammalian central nervous system and practise techniques used to study neural systems, sensory and motor functions, learning, and memory.

- Brain Imaging and fMRI (PSYC 60): Students gain hands-on exposure to functional MRI experiments, experimental design, image processing, and statistical analysis of brain activity.

- Dartmouth Brain Imaging Center: This facility houses a 3-Tesla Siemens MRI scanner and equipment for presenting experimental tasks and recording behavioural data. Undergraduate access is available for eligible courses and supervised honours research.

- Independent Research and Senior Thesis: Students can work with faculty mentors through research courses such as PSYC 70 and PSYC 90, or undertake a senior thesis through PSYC 93, developing practical research, analysis, and scientific writing skills.

- Interdisciplinary Research Facilities: The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences includes imaging, computer, neurophysiological recording, and psychophysical research facilities, supporting investigations into cognition, behaviour, and brain function.

- Research Funding: Dartmouth's undergraduate research programs offer funding opportunities that can help students pursue faculty-guided projects and build research experience.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience from Dartmouth College provides a strong foundation in brain function, cognition, and behaviour, preparing students to explore careers in scientific research, healthcare, biotechnology, and related fields. The degree also supports progression to medical school or postgraduate research, particularly for students who gain additional laboratory experience and develop strong analytical skills.

Typical Job Roles:

Neuroscience Research Assistant: Support laboratory experiments and brain research.
Clinical Research Coordinator: Help manage clinical studies and research data.
Biotechnology Research Associate: Contribute to biomedical and pharmaceutical research.
Scientific Data Analyst: Analyse research data and communicate scientific findings.

Career Development and Employment Opportunities:

Career Services: Dartmouth's Center for Career Design provides career coaching, employer connections, and internship-search support to help students explore career pathways.
Research Experience: Faculty-mentored research, paid research opportunities, and funding through Dartmouth's undergraduate research programs help students build experience for scientific careers.
Employer Connections: Dartmouth reports that more than 200 employers recruit directly at the university, offering access to opportunities across industries.
Employment Outcomes: Dartmouth reports that 96.1% of the Class of 2025 had launched into careers, graduate programs, fellowships, or service within six months of graduation. This is a university-wide figure, not neuroscience-specific.
Salary Information: No verified neuroscience-specific graduate salary figure was identified in the official sources reviewed; earnings depend on role, experience, location, and further qualifications.
Accreditation Value: The degree builds a foundation for research and further education but does not provide a clinical licence. Medical and other regulated healthcare careers require additional qualifications.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience for advanced research, an M.D. through medical school to pursue medicine, or master's degrees in public health, biomedical science, biotechnology, or related fields. Dartmouth also offers faculty-supervised thesis research, which can help students prepare for competitive postgraduate applications.