Student Profile

Aaron Cecala
Colden, New York
Major: Neuroscience
Minors: Psychology

“I’ve been able to help with original research since my second semester.”

When Aaron Cecala was looking for his ideal college, there was one thing the school needed to have: hands-on learning opportunities.

“I’ve been interested in neuroscience since high school, and I really didn’t want to wait until my later college years to get lab experience and do research,” says Aaron.

Learn more about Aaron here.

The Neuroscience Program

Neuroscience can be broadly defined as the study of brain, which includes such areas as development, sensation and perception, behavior, cognition, learning and memory, movement, sleep, stress, aging and neurological and psychiatric disorders. The discipline of neuroscience also includes the study of molecules, cells and genes responsible for nervous system functioning.

Approximately 33% of the students who graduate with a major in Neuroscience from Allegheny College continue their neuroscience education in graduate school, 28% enter medical, veterinary, or physical therapy school, 14% find employment as research technicians at major research universities, 7% work as counselors or teachers, and 4% work in medical or pharmaceutical sales.

Mission

The faculty in the Neuroscience Program are committed to helping students acquire: 1) a knowledge of basic facts, concepts, and theories in neuroscience, 2) the ability to critically interpret this knowledge and to relate it to other subject areas in the Liberal Arts, 3) the ability to add to the body of knowledge through independent research, and 4) the ability to communicate their understanding to others both within and outside of the field of neuroscience.

Major in Neuroscience

Neuroscience majors take: 1) a set of core courses that include biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and statistics, 2) a group of three upper level courses that have either a cellular/molecular neurobiology or behavioral and cognitive neuroscience emphasis, 3) a junior seminar course, and 4) a two-semester neuroscience senior project. Neuroscience students are also encouraged to do independent study courses and summer internships.