Neuroscience and Behavior (BS)

Program Requirements

Majors must complete nine core courses plus five track- specific courses spread throughout their four years.

9 Core Courses

BIOL 113General Biology

4

PSYC 101Introduction to Psychological Science

4

CHEM 111Principles of General Chemistry

4

OR

CHEM 113General & Quantitative Chemistry I

4

STAT 118Introductory Statistics

4

OR

STAT 239Regression and Design of Experiments

4

PSYC 201Biological Psychology

4

PSYC 203Research Methods in Psychology

4

One additional 200-level or higher Biology course

4

PHIL 237Philosophy of Mind

4

NB 347Seminar in Neuroscience

4

If a student places out of STAT 118, STAT 239 is required.

Chemistry requirements for the major include one introductory semester; which course, CHEM 111 or CHEM 113, depends on placement exam results.

PHIL 237: PHIL prerequisite waived for Neuroscience and Behavior majors.

Please note, if you are completing premedical requirements you need one introductory course plus: CHEM 216 Quantitative Analysis and CHEM 224 & CHEM 225 Organic Chemistry I & II.

5 Courses for the Neurobiology track

CHEM 112Principles of Organic Chemistry

4

OR

CHEM 224Organic Chemistry I

4

BIOL 225Cell Biology

4

BIOL 334Neurobiology

4

BIOL 337Molecular Biology

4

BIOL 350Independent Laboratory Research

4

OR

BIOL 370Internship

4

The Neurobiology track requires one additional semester of organic chemistry, typically CHEM 112.

Pre-Medical and Pre-PhD students should take the two-semester sequence of CHEM 224 & CHEM 225 Organic Chemistry I & II plus CHEM 216 General & Quantitative Chemistry II.

BIOL 350/BIOL 370 is your track-specific Capstone. Though only 4 credits (1 semester) of BIOL 350 or BIOL 370 is required, 8 credits (2 semesters) are recommended, especially for Pre-Medical and Pre-PhD students.

BIOL 334 is offered every other Spring, even years.

5 Courses for the Cognitive Behavioral track

One Psychology course chosen from Basic Processes:

PSYC 243Cognitive Psychology

4

PSYC 244Drugs and Behavior

4

PSYC 245Learning and Conditioning

4

PSYC 246Motivation and Emotion

4

PSYC 251Neuroscience of Music

4

One course in Advanced Topics in Neuroscience:

NB 328 Advanced Special Topics in Neuroscience

4

NB 332/PSYC 332Neurodegenerative Diseases

4

One Upper Level Research course (Track-specific Capstone):

PSYC 301Research in Biopsychology

4

PSYC 303Research in Cognitive Processes

4

PSYC 304Research in Personality

4

Two additional courses from this Neuroscience Elective List:

PSYC 231Psychopathology and Mental Health

4

PSYC 232Health Psychology

4

PSYC 243Cognitive Psychology

4

PSYC 244Drugs and Behavior

4

PSYC 245Learning and Conditioning

4

PSYC 301Research in Biopsychology

4

PSYC 303Research in Cognitive Processes

4

STAT 239Regression and Design of Experiments

4

CS 112Introduction to Computer Science

4

BIOL 222Animal Physiology

4

BIOL 225Cell Biology

4

BIOL 231Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIOL 246Foundations of Exercise and Health

4

BIOL 334Neurobiology

4

BIOL 335Stem Cells, Regeneration, and Developmental Biology

4

BIOL 336Genetics

4

CHEM 112Principles of Organic Chemistry

4

OR

CHEM 224Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 223Principles of Biochemistry

4

CHEM 225Organic Chemistry II

4

NUTR 111Fundamentals of Nutrition Science

4

OR

NUTR 112Introduction to Nutrition Science

4

SOCI 241/PH 241Health, Illness & Society

4

Courses cannot double-count for both this requirement and other core/track requirements.

Independent Learning in Neuroscience and Behavior

Independent learning experiences enrich a student’s education in Neuroscience & Behavior and can distinguish a student’s qualifications when applying for employment and admission to graduate school. Students in the Neurobiology track are required to complete at least one semester of BIOL 350 Independent Laboratory Research or BIOL 370 Internship. However, Neuroscience & Behavior majors in both tracks are strongly encouraged to speak with their advisors about integrating one or more of the following into their plan of study.

BIOL 350Independent Laboratory Research

4

BIOL 370Internship

4

BIOL 355Thesis

4

PSYC 350Independent Study

Variable 1-4

PSYC 380Fieldwork in a Psychological Setting

Variable

PSYC 355Thesis

4

PSYC 381Thesis in Psychology

4

In all cases, students should make arrangements for independent learning with their Neuroscience and Behavior advisor and/or the course instructor before the end of their junior year.