News Summary
Mississippi State University (MSU) will introduce an applied neuroscience minor this fall to meet growing student interest. The program, approved by the Committee on Courses and Curricula, provides a flexible curriculum administered by the College of Arts and Sciences. It encourages interdisciplinary studies across various departments, allowing students to explore the relationship between neuroscience and fields like healthcare and technology. Initiatives by students, such as the Neuroscience Club, have further highlighted the demand for neuroscience education, making this minor a significant addition to MSU’s academic offerings.
Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State University (MSU) will launch a new applied neuroscience minor this fall, responding to heightened student interest in the discipline. The University’s Committee on Courses and Curricula approved the minor in spring 2025, allowing students to expand their educational horizons in a field that intersects with healthcare, education, and emerging technologies.
The applied neuroscience minor will be administered through the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Psychology, with collaborative input from the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering and the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College. This interdisciplinary approach aims to provide students from diverse backgrounds—including science, healthcare, engineering, and technology—with a framework to explore the connections between their respective fields and neuroscience.
Adam Jones, the interim associate head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, will serve as the minor’s first director. He has expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, indicating that it aligns perfectly with the growing interest among students for interdisciplinary studies, particularly in areas bridging neuroscience with artificial intelligence and technology.
The minor comprises 18 credit hours of coursework drawn from eight different departments across three colleges. These departments include Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Biochemistry, Health and Nutrition, Biological Sciences, Computer Science and Engineering, Kinesiology, Philosophy and Religion, Poultry Science, and Psychology. This broad curriculum allows students the flexibility to tailor their academic experience to align with their individual career aspirations.
Student engagement played a crucial role in the creation of the new minor. Zoe Ishee, a student at MSU, founded the Neuroscience Club after noticing a lack of neuroscience-related opportunities on campus. Her initiative brought together over 100 members and fostered an environment for interdisciplinary discussions and research presentations. Activities organized by the club included hands-on experiences, such as sheep brain dissections and microscopy examinations of brain cells, further igniting interest in the neuroscience field.
The establishment of the applied neuroscience minor enables MSU students from any declared major to pursue an avenue to delve deeper into neuroscience. The program aims to enhance students’ resumes and provide a clearer academic pathway for those interested in pursuing neuroscience-related career opportunities.
This initiative reflects a commitment to meeting contemporary educational needs and is expected to strengthen the university’s academic offerings by fostering innovative learning experiences. With increased focus on emerging technologies and healthcare applications, the minor is poised to equip students with vital skills necessary for their future careers.
In summary, the new applied neuroscience minor at Mississippi State University is a comprehensive program that aims to cater to the diverse academic interests of students, encouraging them to explore significant connections between neuroscience and various fields. It represents a proactive step toward enriching the educational environment at MSU and preparing students for promising futures in neuroscience-related industries.
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- WJTV: Mississippi State Launches Applied Neuroscience Minor
- Neuroscience News: Keto Diet and MS Microbiome
- C Dispatch: Student-Led Neuroscience Club Leads to New Minor at MSU
- Wikipedia: Neuroscience
- Business Wire: Altoida Announces Global Experts in Neuroscience
- Google Search: Neuroscience
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
