The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience

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USC Pre-College > Summer Programs > The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience

Are you considering a career in health care, psychology, or the behavioral sciences? Are you otherwise interested in the scientific study of the human brain? In “The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience,” you will discover some common and unusual aspects of the brain in everyday life and under abnormal circumstances. You will explore normal brain development as well as abnormal occurrences in the brain and their effects on human function and behavior over the lifespan.

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PROGRAM DATES
June 15 – July 12, 2025

PREREQUISITES
None

COURSE DRESS CODE
None

DAILY SCHEDULE & ACTIVITIES
MONDAY – FRIDAY
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Classes in session
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Classes in session

Tuition & Application
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COURSE OVERVIEW

Highlights

  • Participate in experiential activities, including labs, to enhance your understanding of how we think, learn, and express ourselves
  • Learn about the most common diseases and disorders affecting the brain in youth and in aging
  • Become proficient in using Microsoft Excel for analyzing, reporting, and plotting data
  • Visits to laboratories studying neuroscience, aging, and disease at USC
  • Become proficient in the use of USC’s Learning Management System, Blackboard
  • Practice what you learn in the completion of a final course project

Topic of Study

  • Spectrum of neuroscience
  • Memory and learning
  • Normal and abnormal function
  • Lifespan development and aging
  • Brain structure and function
  • Neurologic dysfunction
  • Neuroethics

HEAR FROM OUR FORMER STUDENTS

USC Summer Programs gives you an opportunity to delve deep into a subject without having to commit to studying under that major for your entire college experience. It allows you to experiment with what major you want to go into.
We learned a lot through labs and hands–on activities, including dissecting brains and learning a bit of statistics!
This course gives me a new insight into the field of neuroscience, which gives me more confidence to become a researcher in this field in the future.
It was a super interesting, fun, and interactive learning experience. [Professor] Mastro was able to teach our class in a way that kept everyone engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed this course.
I think the most valuable part was learning all the new concepts and figuring them out how they work with others. I thought rock climbing was a valuable experience.