Behavioral Neuroscience

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.

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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 (4)
PSY-325 Learning and Motivation (4)
PSY-340 Quantitative Methods (4)
PSY-212 Cognition (3)
PSY-220 Introduction to Neuroscience (3)
PSY-223 Biopsychology (3)
PSY-323 Sensation and Perception (4)
PSY-461 Practicum (4) or PSY-463 Independent Research Consisting of a Data Collection Project (3)
PSY-420 History and Systems of Psychology (3)
CHM-110  General Chemistry I (4)
CHM-111  General Chemistry II (4)
CHM-210 Organic Chemistry I (4)
MAT-110 Discrete Mathematics (3)
MAT-215 Basic Statistics (3)
MAT-243 Linear Algebra (3)
PHL-3XX   Philosophy of Mind (3)
PHY-101 General Physics (4)

Students interested in medical school should take Organic Chemistry II, Physics 102, and Calculus I and II.

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

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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 courses are offered on rotating years and to ensure that prerequisites are taken.

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