Behavioral Neuroscience

Women's College

Overview
Program of Study
Four-Year Plan

Maria Mouratidis, Psy.D., Chair
Jon P. Stanton, Ph.D., Coordinator

The behavioral neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major designed to serve those Women's College students interested in the biological basis of behavior with primary emphasis on brain-behavior relationships. The program provides a core of biology, chemistry, psychology and neuroscience courses. Students explore neurobiology and the neural correlates of behavior, sensation and perception, cognition, animal behavior, genetics, and development grounded in the disciplines of psychology and biology. Emphasis is placed on biological and psychological research techniques. In her junior or senior year, the student will integrate the two areas in her practicum, a field experience designed to fit each student's specific interest.

The behavioral neuroscience major prepares the student for masters or doctoral graduate work in the growing field of neuroscience or immediate entry into a career as a research technician. The addition of two semesters of physics provides excellent preparation for medical school, veterinary school or graduate school. Those students interested in medical or veterinary school are provided with further specialized advising to prepare them for competitive admissions to such programs.

Behavioral neuroscience majors are required to earn a minimum of a C grade in all required courses for their major. Due to the need for carefully scripted movement through the prerequisites and laboratory courses, students with an interest in this program should contact the department chair in their first year to facilitate graduation in four years.

Back to top

Program of Study

Required Courses (Credits)

BIO-111 Fundamentals of Biology (4)
BIO-230 Unity and Diversity of Life (4)
BIO-239 Genetics (4)
BIO-341 Vertebrate Anatomy (4)
BIO-413 Neurobiology (4)
PSY-101 Introductory Psychology (4)
PSY-210 Research Methods I (Prerequisite: MAT-215) (4)
PSY-340 Quantitative Methods (4)
PSY-223 Biopsychology (3)
PSY-323 Sensation and Perception (4)
PSY-420 History and Systems of Psychology (3)
PSY-461 Practicum or IDS-361 Career Internship (4)
CHM-110, 111 General Chemistry I, II (8)
CHM-210, 211 Organic Chemistry I, II (8)
MAT-107 Elementary Functions or MAT-211 (Calculus) (3-4)

Two biology electives from Group I below, at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

Group I

BIO-307 General Ecology (4)
BIO-311 Evolution (4)
BIO-340 Microbiology (4)
BIO-345 Nutrition (3)
BIO-403 Immunology (3)
BIO-411 Special Topics (3)
BIO-415 Developmental Biology (3)
BIO-425, 426 Biochemistry I, II (8)
BIO-431 Animal Physiology (4)
BIO-410 Cell and Molecular Biology (4)

Two psychology electives from Group II below, at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

Group II

PSY-203 Child and Adolescent Development (3)
PSY-343 Animal Behavior (3)
PSY-207 Abnormal Psychology (3)
PSY-325 Learning and Motivation (4)
PSY-463 Independent Research. (3)

Students interested in medical school should take PHY-101, 102 and MAT-212 Calculus II.

It is important that students confer closely with the program coordinator to facilitate graduation in four years.
See biology, chemistry, and psychology departmental sections for course descriptions.

Back to top

Four-Year Plan

Sample program of study for the behavioral neuroscience major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.

Careful attention to course sequencing is required since many of the courses in Group I and Group II are offered on rotating years and to ensure that prerequisites are taken. Consult the department chair for scheduling of these courses.

Back to top