Neuroscience

The human brain is the most fascinating and complex machine in the known universe, and understanding how it works is one of the greatest challenges remaining in biology. Furthermore, it has been estimated that over half of the American population will have their quality of life seriously compromised by a neurological disorder as they age, making understanding the brain a major medical priority as well. The Neuroscience curriculum at Ohio University provides students with the tools they need to embark on a career in Neuroscience and help meet these exciting challenges. A combination of course work and research experiences allows students to learn how the nervous system works, from the molecular level all the way up to mechanisms underlying complex behaviors and cognitive processes. The Neuroscience Program also provides stipends and support for summer research between the junior and senior year.

approx. 5 microns

Laser scanning confocal image of the inner ear’s sense organ responsible for balance and orientation in space: red profiles are mechanical sensors that monitor movement and orientation of the head and generate signals in receptor cells located underneath them, green profiles are the nerve fibers that carry these signals to the brain, and blue dots are points of synaptic contact where information is transferred from the receptors to the nerve fibers.