Cognitive Science
Cognitive Science explores mental functions in humans, animals, and machines, including how they learn, reason, remember, acquire and use language, and how cognition develops.
Brain & Mind
How do thought, experience, and the senses produce understanding? How do biology and environment impact cognition? Understand how minds perceive, respond to, and make sense of the world.
Explore the Brain & Mind
Uncover areas of study that deepen our understanding of the brain and mind and lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Linguistics
Linguistics investigates how language is acquired and processed, conveys meaning, and evolves for individuals and societies.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience examines the nervous system, from the individual genes and proteins that control neural activity to mechanisms that govern complex human behavior.
Philosophy
Philosophy delves into the fundamental nature of knowledge, thought, and existence, tackling the most foundational questions asked by human beings.
Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior, including how people perceive the world, think, and act.
Interesting Courses
Check out some examples of courses that investigate the fascinating world of the brain and mind.
NEUROSCI 324-0-20
Our internal clock control everything from cells to sleep. What happens when it breaks?
NEUROSCI 303-0-20
How do tiny glitches in the brain lead to big changes? Can we fix them with drugs?
PSYCH 317
What psychological forces drove people to commit, resist, or survive the atrocities?
NEUROSCI 390-0-28
Can math unlock the secrets of the brain and pave the way for smarter machines?
PHIL 225-0
Could a machine ever truly think?
PSYCH 303
What if the key to understanding our minds lies in the disorders that break them?
COG_SCI 210-0
Can exploring the biology of language deepen our understanding of the human mind?
NEUROSCI 390-0-29
Do your brain and your belly talk to one another?
What is it like to be a student?
As a student, you can delve into the study of the brain and mind through interdisciplinary coursework, internships, community projects, and extra-curricular activities. You also can collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge research.
Ramzy Issa ‘23
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ramzy Issa ‘23 came to Northwestern as a Posse Scholar. Issa’s family is from Palestine and during his time on campus, he served as co-president of the Middle East and North African Student Association. A neuroscience and global health double major, Issa's research focuses on Arab-American health - a subject he will continue to explore next year in the Feinberg School of Medicine’s Northwestern Undergraduate Premedical Scholars Program.
One of my favorite courses was 'Positive Psychology.' As a psychology and cognitive science major, I spend a lot of time looking at dysfunction in the brain—at what goes wrong. This class focused on the other, far less popular, “side” of psychology: the idea of human flourishing. Exploring how to be the happiest, healthiest version of myself through researched intervention is what inspired me to pursue research in a lab at Northwestern.”
Innovators in the Classroom and Beyond
Get to know some of our dedicated professors who are passionate about teaching and nurturing your success as a student.
Catherine Woolley studies the effects of hormones on the brain
William Deering Professor of Neurobiology Catherine Woolley discusses developing new treatments for seizure disorders, designing labs for neuroscience research, and finding the perfect balance between teaching and research at Northwestern.
Sylvia Perry describes how small classes build connection
Professor Sylvia Perry highlights that the small class sizes at Northwestern University promote strong connections between students and faculty. With engaging courses and innovative faculty research, the environment encourages students to explore significant topics and develop their own insights.
Vijay Mittal shares how students get involved in research
Professor Vijay Mittal shares what makes Northwestern University’s psychology department so unique. With a faculty that genuinely values undergraduates, Northwestern offers students rare opportunities to work directly with top researchers in the field. He shares how students engage in hands-on research and collaborate with world-leading experts.
Shaping the Future of Brain & Mind Research
Ken Paller
Psychology
Paller’s research focuses on the human mind and the intricate relationships between brain activity and conscious experience. His lab group developed new methods to influence the mind during sleep, which in turn can improve many aspects of the waking mind, including memory, creativity, and psychological well-being.
Dan McAdams
Psychology
Professor Dan McAdams developed the psychological concept of narrative identity – the stories rattling around our minds shaping who we are and who we are becoming. His enterprising students pushed it in unexpected directions.
Cristina Lafont
Philosophy
Cristina Lafont, the Harold H. and Virginia Anderson Chair, explores the dynamic interplay of democracy, governance, human rights, religion, and politics, emphasizing how ordinary people actively engage in these processes.
Jennifer Tacket
Psychology
Professor Tackett proposes bringing together expertise from different areas of psychology to study early leadership, and how it emerges, develops and influences leadership ability in adults.
Outside the Classroom
Explore student clubs, internships, and campus resources.
Weinberg in the World Podcast
In Weinberg College's monthly podcast, alumni share their career experiences. Discover stories about working in fields related to brain science and exploration of the mind.
Career Conversation with Kathy Lin '08 PhD: Product Insights Manager at Spotify
November 10, 2022
Weinberg grad Kathy Lin '08 PhD discusses her journey from Northwestern to product insights manager at Spotify. Learn about the MMSS major, internships, the PhD process, work-life balance, and finding a career path.
Career Conversation with Sandy Waxman and Jackie Cantu: Posner Research Program
September 14, 2022
Weinberg faculty member Sandy Waxman and student Jackie Cantu discuss their research in child development at Northwestern. Learn about the Posner Research Program, what goes on inside a lab, and advice for those interested in pursuing research.
NEUROSCI 324-0-20
Neurobiology of Biological Clocks and Sleep
About the Course
General properties of sleep and circadian rhythms; how sleep and the circadian clock regulate a number of diverse activities at the cell, organ, and organism levels. The importance of biological rhythms and sleep for human health and disease will be covered in this course.
NEUROSCI 303-0-20
Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropsychopharmacology
About the Course
Advanced seminar focusing on molecular mechanisms and aberrations of synaptic signal transduction and drugs that target them.
PSYCH 317
The Holocaust: Psychological Themes & Perspectives
About the Course
This course will be an exploration of how particular psychological theories and concepts can inform our understanding of the events of the Holocaust at both a group and individual level. Material from the fields of Social and Clinical Psychology will be a particular focus of the course. Six major topics will be explored vis-à-vis literature, historical accounts, film, and psychological theory: (1) Perpetrators and Bystanders; (2) Upstanders/Resisters; (3) Survivors; (4) Children of survivors; (5) Deniers; (6) Modern American Jewish identity, culture, and humor in the wake of the Holocaust.
NEUROSCI 390-0-28
Brain Function through the Lens of Computation
About the Course
Understanding brain function is a grand challenge for twenty-first century science that promises revolutionary applications to medicine and artificial intelligence. Mathematical modeling can contribute valuably to this understanding by allowing scientists to formalize experimental findings and reason beyond their intuition.
PHIL 225-0
Minds and Machines
About the Course
Introductory course addressing philosophical issues arising from the study of intelligence, including the possibility of machine intelligence and its relevance to the study of human intelligence.
PSYCH 303
Psychopathology
About the Course
Understanding the nature of psychological, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Emphasis on current evidence regarding causes and characteristics of these disorders.
COG_SCI 210-0
Language and the Brain
About the Course
The study of language and its biological basis from linguistic, psychological, and neuroscientific perspectives.
NEUROSCI 390-0-29
Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis
About the Course
Got an upset belly? You might be told to eat yogurt for probiotics! While it’s well-known that gut microbiota affects digestion, recent evidence reveals fascinating interactions between gut microbes, the immune system, and the nervous system. These interactions can alter brain physiology, influence behavior, and affect neural development and diseases. This course explores this evolving field through critical readings of research literature. Together with the instructor and classmates, you'll learn about current knowledge, examine key studies, and propose ideas for future research in this exciting area.