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Neuroscience

Available as a major or minor

Unlocking the mysteries of the human brain is the key to understanding what makes us tick. Our fantastically complex nervous systems are the mainframe that govern our emotions, thought processes and actions.
 
Neuroscience is driving advances in our understanding of human behavior, development and disease. But much more remains to be discovered.
 
The field is an excellent fit for students fascinated by the unknown and inspired to seek answers that will help improve the human condition. Neuroscience majors go on to be doctors, counselors, researchers, biotech innovators and more.

Curriculum & Courses

Sample Course Offerings

NEUR 202: Neuroscience in Practice
HEXS 317: Neuromechanics
BIOL 420: Developmental Biology
PSYC 335: Neuropsychology
PHYS 410: Biophysics

A student demonstrating a neurological monitor on another student

Student Experiences

  • Mentors guide Maroon to neurosurgery research opportunity

    Andrew Chitwood '24 landed an internship with the head of neurosurgery research at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine after his neuroscience advisor here at Roanoke College connected him with the program.

  • Not so virtual reality

    Eliza Bain ’24 worked with Assistant Professor Lauren Kennedy-Metz to investigate whether VR in video games was immersive enough to trigger a real physiological, stress response.

  • Blink and you’ll miss it

    Ellington Cooke

    Ellington Cooke ’24 had an opportunity to work with Assistant Professor Anthony Cate on a project investigating how a human eye can take in thousands of data points.

  • VA Medical Center Partnership

    VA

    Through a unique partnership with the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center, students get opportunities to do real-world work in an important medical setting. Dr. Lauren Ratcliffe ’17 assisted VA researchers with several projects and completed an honors thesis examining the impact of cognitive impairment on treatment efficacy in veterans with trauma symptoms.

What Makes Roanoke Different?

"I was able to do research with great professors, attend conferences and make connections. Everyone here helped me a lot whether it be in applying to grad school, pursuing research or doing my honors thesis project. I had so much support throughout my entire journey."

Huda Hashash '24, international student, now in graduate school at Duke University

Huda Hashash smiles and applauds during her graduation from Roanoke College

Did You Know?

Black-and-white photo of Dr. Mountcastle

Dr. Vernon Mountcastle, universally considered the father of neuroscience, was a Roanoke College graduate. His research on how brain cells work together to process perceptions and movements led to groundbreaking discoveries that set the stage for modern-day neuroscience.

In the true spirit of a Maroon, he brought a tireless passion for scientific exploration to his decades-long career. Reflecting on the last lab he worked in before retirement, Mountcastle once wrote, “I was nearly brokenhearted to leave it, for I found no greater thrill in life than to make an original discovery, no matter how small.”

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Learn By Doing

Psyched to do research

From reading brain waves to testing vision in cognitive psychology, Roanoke College students get opportunities to do meaningful, real-world experiments in their work.

A student sits while hooked up to wires for a experiment
A student is hooked up to wires while other students monitor the readings on a computer
A close-up of a graph on a computer screen showing data from the readings
A student takes notes while another student prepares to lean into an eye device for an experiment
A student peers through an eye device and reads directions on a nearby computer screen during an experiment

Careers & Outcomes

Roanoke alumna living medical school dreams

Cici Montalvo '22 is now a future doctor in training pursuing studies at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, where qualified Maroons are guaranteed admission interviews, reflecting the medical school's faith in the rigorous preparation offered by a Roanoke College education.

"I learned an incredible amount of information during my four years here, and I absolutely cannot wait to continue my journey as a medical student," said Montalvo, who was a research assistant and president of the honors program during her time at Roanoke.

Inspiring scientific curiosity

Nikki Hurless speaking at graduation

Nikki Hurless '14 went on to earn a doctorate from the University of Missouri-St. Louis where she delved deeper into the nuances of mental health and how to train a new generation of professional counselors. She now puts those skills to work as a visiting professor of psychology for Washington College in Maryland and as a counselor specializing in the treatment of traumatic stress. 
 
Her journey started right here at Roanoke where strong faculty mentors inspired her to tackle research and more closely examine the inner workings of the human mind. “My research methods class was a foundational component of my academic career," she said. "I loved learning research design — my instructor instilled a scientific curiosity in me that motivated me to get involved in as many research-related experiences as possible."
 
As early as her sophomore year, Hurless was able to work with professors on research into emotional reactivity and later held a research internship with the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Her work got her published in a highly cited article in an undergraduate neuroscience journal
 
Those invaluable experiences set her up for success as she embarked on her career. "In general, the psych department’s strong focus on writing has also been very useful to me in publications and in communicating my ideas at professional conferences," she said.
 
Hurless continues to do research today with focuses in the effects of self/external stigma and queer-affirming strategies, among others.

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News

  • Workshop: Communicating Your Research in a Nutshell

    This interactive workshop, the first of a two-part event, is intended to train researchers to better communicate their work with people outside of their field. Folks from all programs are encouraged to attend!

    Date:
    March 27, 2026
    Time:
    4 - 6 p.m.
    Location:

    Antrim Chapel

    Workshop: Communicating Your Research in a Nutshellevent image

  • Nutshell Games Competition

    Engaged in research? Consider competing in this year's Nutshell Games Competition for a chance to win an Amazon e-gift card.

    Date:
    April 21, 2026
    Time:
    6 - 7:30 p.m.
    Location:

    Antrim Chapel

    Nutshell Games Competitionevent image

Interested in studying neuroscience at Roanoke College?

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