Department of Psychology
Department of Psychology

Behavioral Neuroscience Track

The curriculum for the Psychology Major includes courses that concentrate on the brain and its function to understand the physiological, genetic and developmental mechanisms of behavior and disorders in humans and other animals. The techniques of Behavioral Neuroscience are rooted in a range of disciplines including experimental psychology, anatomy, biology, cellular physiology, genetics, cognitive functional imaging, pharmacology, and computational and statistical modeling. Undergraduate Research Experience is a fundamental component of the Behavioral Neuroscience Track in the Psychology Major. Students with interest in neuroscience, and a strong background in biological and quantitative sciences, are advised to follow the Behavioral Neuroscience track while fulfilling the degree requirements for a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Potential career paths of Psychology Majors who pursue the Behavioral Neuroscience Track include health (medical technician, nursing, physician, physician’s assistant, public health administration); scientific research (PhD in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Clinical Psychology, science research lab personnel); education; science advocacy; science writing, advertising; government and the pharmaceutical industry.

The list of courses, and the 4-year sequence of enrollment below are provided as guidance. While some courses are taught almost every year (in bold), others may be offered less frequently, and new courses (numbered X559) are continuously added.

Behavioral Neuroscience Track (PDF)

(PDF of information below)

Expand content
Expand content

from list of REQUIREMENTS for PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

To earn a BA in Psychology students must complete 34 credits in PSYC courses, including at least one course from Introductory courses in Pillars I, II, III, and IV. Research Methods (PSYC 2005 and PSYC3006), 4 courses at the 3000-level or higher (including 1 at the 4000- or 5000-level). The remainder of credits can be completed by enrolling to any other PSYC courses.

Expand content

LAB COURSES

At least one is recommended.

  • PSYC 3210  Psychobiology Laboratory (Team)
  • PSYC 5xxx  Genetic & Epi Rsrch in Behavior (Connelly) (offered in J-term on some years)
  • PSYC xxx  Human Neuroscience/Imaging Lab (Morris, Team) (offered in J-term on some years)
  • or 3-4 semesters of PSYC 3590 Psychology Research
Expand content

UPPER LEVEL COURSES

  • SYC 3100    Learning and the Neuroscience of Behavior (Williams)
  • PSYC 3240 -  Animal Minds (Meliza)
  • PSYC 3235 - Introduction to Epigenetics  (Connelly)
  • PSYC 4002 - How Animals Perceive the World: Evolution of Sensory Systems  (Meliza) 
  • PSYC 4155 - Autism: From Neurons to Neighborhoods (Jaswal)
  • PSYC 4200 - Neural Mechanisms of Behavior (Erisir)
  • PSYC 4245    Development of Sensory Systems
  • PSYC 4250 - Brain Systems Involved in Memory (Williams)
  • PSYC 4255 - Behavioral Epigenetics (Connelly)
  • PSYC 4265    Developmental Neurobiology (Liu)
  • PSYC 4270 - Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
  • PSYC 4275 - Exploring Neural Codes for Perception and Cognition
  • PSYC 4580 - Directed Readings in Psychology
  • PSYC 4755 - Social Neuroscience (Morris)
Expand content

UPPER LEVEL SEMINARS / GRADUATE COURSES

These courses require one or more of the 4000 level courses listed above as prerequisites.

  • PSYC 5200    Seminar in Psychobiology 
  • PSYC 5215     Neuroplasticity and Perception/Cognition/Behavior
  • PSYC 5220     Critical Period Plasticity
  • PSYC 5260     Brain Systems Involved in Learning and Memory
  • PSYC 5265     Functional Neuroanatomy
  • PSYC 5324     Research Methods in Human Neuroscience
  • PSYC 5325     Cognitive Neuroscience (Salthouse)
  • PSYC 5326     The Neuroscience of Social Relationships (Coan)
  • PSYC 5350     Neurochemical Systems in Learning and Memory
  • PSYC 5355     Neurobiology of Speech and Language (Meliza)
  • PSYC 5401     Chemical Senses: Taste and Smell (Hill)
  • PSYC 5559     Development of Sensory Systems
  • PSYC 5559     Cerebral Cortex (Brunjes)
  • PSYC 5559     Topics in Evolutionary Neuroscience (Meliza)
  • PSYC 5559     Soc Relations: Neuroscience, Evolution & Ecology (Coan)
  • PSYC 5999     The Social Brain in Infancy (Grossmann)
  • PSYC 5559     Machine Learning in Neuroscience Research  (Sederberg)
Expand content

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE FOR BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE TRACK

YEAR 1

  • PSYC2005 and STAT1601.  One of PSYC 2200, PSYC2210, PSYC 2220, or BIOL3050 (Pillar II).
  • Pillar I, III and IV  courses
  • Other College Requirements

YEAR 2

  • and PSYC3006
  • PSYC3210 etc (Lab course requirement)
  • PSYC 3240, etc (non-lab 3000 level courses)
  • PSYC4200, PSYC4255, PSYC 4275, PSYC 4755, etc
  • Behavioral Neuroscience Research

YEAR 3

  • --

YEAR 4

  • PSYC 5265, PSYC 5325, PSYC 5401, etc
  • Distinguished Majors