Interdisciplinary Programs

The Department of Biology participates in three interdiciplnary degree programs, each of which leads to a Bachelor or Science degree:  Biochemistry (with Chemistry), Environmental Science (with Geology and Chemistry), and Neuroscience (with Psychology). 

Biochemistry

The Biology and Chemistry Department jointly administer this Bachelor of Science degree.  The program is designed to train students to solve complex problems associated with understanding the structure and funciton of biolgoical molecules in the context of living systems.

Students majoring in Biochemistry take a core set of courses in biology, chemistry, math, and physics through their junior year. Advanced topics in biology and chemistry electives are available for students to choose in order to complete their degrees.

Environmental Science

Students in the Environmental Science (ESCI) program choose from one of three scientific concentrations--biology, chemistry, or geoscience--that provide in-depth knowledge in a specific discipline.  They also take courses in each of the other concentrations, as well as allied courses in math, engineering, and the social sciences.  Additionally, students take two "bookend" courses, which bring together ESCI majors from all of the concentrations to work on problems which require an interdisciplinary solution.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on understanding the interrelations among nervous systems, neural processing, thought, and behavior. Training in neuroscience requires a broad foundation in both the natural sciences and in psychology.  The major requires students to complete foundational courses in biology and psychology, and allows students flexibility at the upper level by encouraging further specialization in either discipline, or allowing for the development of a broader perspective by taking a breadth of allied electives.  Students completing this major should be well-prepared for graduate study in neuroscience or in related disciplines.

For more information, please contact a member of the neuroscience advisory committee:  Adam Kay in Biology (adkay@stthomas.edu, 651-962-5291), J. Roxanne Prichard in Psychology (jrprichard@stthomas.edu, 651-962-5043), and Greg Robinson-Riegler in Psychology (glriegler@stthomas.edu, 651-962-5034).