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2018-2019 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience

Behavioral neuroscience is an interdisciplinary area of study where the area of interest is the relationship between physiological and psychological systems. This major is administered by the department of psychology and offers students who are interested in issues in the emerging field of neuroscience and behavior. Study focuses on the neural mechanisms of behavior and cognition, evolutionary development of the nervous system, and mechanisms of nervous system and their application to the treatment of disorders.

The behavioral neuroscience major prepares students for graduate study in neuroscience, neuropsychology, or related fields, and for careers requiring a solid foundation in science. Many students with a behavioral neuroscience degree may also pursue professional degrees in health-related fields such as clinical psychology.

**Students wishing to pursue graduate or professional studies are strongly advised to speak with their major advisor regarding additional courses in which to enroll.

**Premed students are also strongly advised to speak with their major advisor regarding additional courses in which to enroll.

Requirements for a Major in Behavioral Neuroscience

Students majoring in behavioral neuroscience are required to take 50 to 57 credit hours.

Required Courses

Chemistry

Choose one of the following:

*Premed students are advised to take CHM 115 and CHM 116 instead of CHM 109 toward the fulfillment of the chemistry requirement.

Psychology

Choose one of the following:

Additional Course Requirements

Two additional courses must be taken from the following. Each course must be taken from a different department.

**Premed students are advised to take PHY 220 instead of PHY 200

B.A. or B.S. degree

Students may earn either a B.A. or B.S. degree.

B.A. Degree Requirements

  • Third semester proficiency in a foreign language

B.S. Degree Requirements

Suggested Pattern of Course Work

This pattern of course work is suggested for those who wish to pursue a B.S. degree.

Fall Semester - Year One

Winter Semester - Year One

  • STA 215: Introductory Applied Statistics (B.S. degree requirement)
  • WRT 150: Strategies in Writing
  • CHM 109: Introductory Chemistry or CHM 115: Principles of Chemistry I
  • General education course

Fall Semester - Year Two

  • PSY 300: Research Methods in Psychology
  • PSY 330: Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience
  • BMS 250: Anatomy and Physiology I
  • CHM 116: Principles of Chemistry II (only if CHM 115 was completed)
  • General education course

Winter Semester - Year Two

  • BIO 352: Animal Behavior
  • BIO 355: Human Genetics (students should take this course only if they do not plan on taking BIO 375)
  • General education course
  • General education course

Fall Semester - Year Three

  • PSY 435: Advanced Neuroscience and Behavior
  • BIO 375: Genetics (students who have taken BIO 355 should not take this course)
  • BIO 376: Genetics Laboratory
  • Additional major course
  • General education course

Winter Semester - Year Three

Fall Semester - Year Four

  • PSY 400: Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
  • Issues course
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Winter Semester - Year Four

  • PSY 492: Advanced General (Capstone)
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Psychology Program Description

Psychology Program Description


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