The Bates Program in Neuroscience’s curriculum is built around active, learning-by-doing experiences.
The program trains students to draw on perspectives from physiology, psychology, biology, and quantitative approaches to consider topics such as molecular and cellular mechanisms, neural circuits, computation, and behavior. Students develop skills through laboratory courses and research practice, and the major culminates with a senior capstone or thesis that emphasizes rigorous, independent inquiry.
Thomas Pinette
Academic Administrative Assistant
Bonney Science Center
Phone: 207-755-5928
tpinette@bates.edu
Students graduate as thoughtful and responsible consumers and producers of neuroscientific knowledge, providing a versatile foundation for careers in healthcare, research, biotechnology, and academia. Graduates frequently pursue roles as physicians, neuroscientists, research technicians, and counselors, or work in specialized areas like pharmaceutical sales, science writing, and AI-driven interface development.
of 2020-2024 science and math graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school
Laura Ligouri, teaching Neuroscience, Ethics, and Society in Pettengill G21 NRSC S20 – Neuroscience, Ethics, and Society As our ability to measure, predict, and manipulate brain function progresses, so too does our need to grapple with the societal consequences of neuroscientific discovery. This course invites critical examination of the ethics surrounding real-world neuroscience applications in private and public sectors. With topics that include psychopharmacology and cognitive liberty, neuroimaging for lie detection, weaponization of neurotechnology, and neuroprivacy in an era of data mining, students engage two overarching questions: How does the practice of neuroscience simultaneously mirror and mold social attitudes and policy-making agendas? What does it mean to be a responsible consumer and/or producer of neuroscientific knowledge? Prerequisite(s): NRSC 130, NS/PH 117, NS/PY 160, or PSYC 215. Not open to students who have received credit for NRSC 208. “A neuroscience course that looks at how we conceive of the ethics and societal implications of neurobiological research. There’s lots of different ways of taking a look at that from neuro technology and whether something’s safe to apply or not to neuroscience in the criminal justice system. So this week was all about looking at neuroscience in kind of an international context, specifically clinical, around trauma and PTSD. There’s so much neurobiological research around trauma and PTSD, we know a lot about the brain and trauma, and so how can we conceive of that research in cross-cultural context where it’s really tough to translate. It’s really tough to apply, it’s really tough to ethically interact. So how can we think about this with a broader lens when most of the research has been done with western communities? So we had three speakers – and she goes to get their names – Decca Deluc, a clinician from Somalia, treasurer of the Somali Community Center of Maine, and co-founder of Cr
Moments from Lab-Based Biological Inquiry Cellular Neuroscience taught by Martin Kruse, associate professor of biology and neuroscience, in Bonney Science Center Room 370 on January 25, 2024. (Theophil Syslo | Bates College)
Zain Ali ‘27 of Lebanon, Ohio, left, Tim Johnson ‘27 of Brewster, Mass., center, and Cate Fleming ‘27 of Brookline, Mass.,during Lab-Based Biological Inquiry Cellular Neuroscience taught by Martin Kruse, associate professor of biology and neuroscience, in Bonney Science Center Room 370 on January 25, 2024. (Theophil Syslo | Bates College)
Campus scenes from Oct. 11, 2024. Students pass by Dana Chemistry on Alumni Walk.
Associate Professor of Neuroscience Jason Castro meets with two of his thesis students in Bonney 283. John Loftus ’22 of Palo Alto, Calif., a double major in neuroscience and art and visual culture (studio art), and Juliet Bockhorst ’22 of Westwood, Mass., a neuroscience major.
Students choose neuroscience at Bates for mentored, high-touch scientific practice. We provide close faculty guidance as students learn to design studies, work with data, and communicate their findings. Students graduate prepared to think critically about the nervous system, conduct and communicate original research, and integrate scientific understanding with ethical and societal perspectives. We offer a truly hands-on approach to neuroscience; students in our program routinely participate in active research programs and mentored projects with our faculty.
The neuroscience faculty is composed of professors from around the world who have studied and researched the subject at renowned institutions. Specialties include computational neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, cellular biochemistry, and neurobiology. In teaching, they are committed to an immersive, hands-on approach and are passionate about including Bates students in their research and work.
In the Student Center for Belonging and Community, first-generation Bates students mentor their younger peers, providing guidance on everything from academics to internships to social life.
Bates is embarking on a $45 million project to update two key athletic facilities and construct a new fitness and well-being center. A gift of $10 million from Jon W. Brayshaw ’90, P’25 and Jocelyn Stoddard Brayshaw ’88, P’25 has brought the college a vital step closer to construction. The new facility will be named the Stoddard Fitness and Well-Being Center.
February on campus saw sports successes, several large snowfalls, and our annual Winter Carnival — a week of events celebrating the joys of the chilly season.
