Program Overview

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Introduction to the Behavioral-Neuroscience Major, BS

The Behavioral-Neuroscience Major, BS, is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares students for further education in the health professions, medical school, mental health careers, and different graduate schools. It also prepares students for employment as laboratory technicians at medical, mental health, university, government, start-up, biotechnology, and other settings.

Major Completion Summary

The major completion summary requirement includes:

• University Core Requirements: 44-55 credits
• Major Requirements: 49-53 credits
• Open Electives: 12-27 credits
• Total Credits: 120

University Core Requirements (44-55 Credits)

The University Core requirements include several of the major-required Math, Biology, and Physics courses listed below:

Major-Required Math and Science Courses

• MAT 131: Calculus I (Foundation Math) - 4 credits
• BIO 101: General Biology I (Lab Science) - 4 credits
• PSY 112: Introduction to Psychology (Areas of Knowledge/HSN) - 4 credits

In Depth Sequence

• CHE 111: General Chemistry I - 4 credits
• CHE 112: General Chemistry II - 4 credits
• CHE 223: Organic Chemistry I - 5 credits

Other Core Requirements for Major

• BIO 101: General Biology I - 4 credits
• BIO 102: General Biology II - 4 credits
• BIO 231: Genetics - 4 credits

Major Requirements (49-53 Credits)

The major requirements include:

Required Major Courses

• BIO 102: General Biology II - 4 credits
• BIO 231: Genetics - 4 credits
• BIO 251: Principles of Human Anatomy - 4 credits
• BIO 325: Neurobiology - 3 credits
• BIO 334: General Physiology - 4 credits
• BIO 493: Major Field Test in Biology - 0 credits
• BNS 410: Systems Behavioral Neuroscience - 4 credits
• PSY 209: Health Psychology - 3 credits
• PSY 315: Cognitive Psychology - 4 credits
• MAT 141: Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences - 4 credits or PSY 205: Statistics in Psychology and Allied Fields
• BIO 480 & BIO 490: Research in Biology and Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences (For students choosing the Biology Path.) - 6 credits or BIO 395: Independent Study in Biology or BIO 491: Internship in Biology

Major Electives for the Biology Track

Select two PSY and one BIO course; 9-13 credits from the following:

• BIO 212: Human Disease and Disorders
• BIO 222: Plants and People
• BIO 232: Developmental Biology
• BIO 264: Microbiology
• BIO 305: Evolutionary Biology
• BIO 322: Animal Behavior
• BIO 336: Genomics
• BIO 345: Introduction to Toxicology
• BIO 346: Introduction to Basic Pharmacology
• BIO 335: Molecular and Cellular Biology (recommended)
• PSY 206: Psychology and Law
• PSY 227: Psychology of Women
• PSY 241: Psychology of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
• PSY 243: Applied Social Psychology
• PSY 277: Evolutionary Psychology
• PSY 302: Child Psychology
• PSY 296: Approved Psychology Topics Course
• PSY 303: Adolescent Psychology
• PSY 304: Social Psychology
• PSY 307: Psychology of Personality
• PSY 320: Abnormal Psychology I
• PSY 321: Abnormal Psychology II
• PSY 323: Psychology of Learning
• PSY 337: Introduction to Psychological Counseling
• PSY 375: Lifespan Development Psychology

Open Electives (12-27 Credits)

Select 12-27 credits:

• Includes UNV 101: First-Year Seminar (1 credit) - required of first-year freshman students.

Psychology Path

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These courses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 101: General Biology I - 4 credits
  • CHE 111: General Chemistry I - 4 credits
  • UNV 101: First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community - 1 credit
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course - 3 credits
  • First Second Language Course - 3 credits
• Spring:
  • BIO 102: General Biology II - 4 credits
  • CHE 112: General Chemistry II - 4 credits
  • PSY 112: Introduction to Psychology - 4 credits
  • Second Language Course, if applicable - 3 credits

Second Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 231: Genetics - 4 credits
  • CHE 223: Organic Chemistry I - 5 credits
  • CIS 101: Introduction to Computing - 3 credits
  • PSY 315: Cognitive Psychology - 4 credits
• Spring:
  • ENG 120: Critical Writing - 4 credits
  • PSY 209: Health Psychology - 3 credits
  • One elective course in BIO - 5 credits
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course - 3 credits

Third Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 251: Principles of Human Anatomy - 4 credits
  • BIO 325: Neurobiology - 3 credits
  • MAT 131: Calculus I - 4 credits
  • ENG 201: Writing in the Disciplines - 3-4 credits
  • Civic Engagement (CE) elective - 3 credits
• Spring:
  • BIO 334: General Physiology - 4 credits
  • MAT 141 or PSY 205: Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences or Statistics in Psychology and Allied Fields - 4 credits
  • BNS 410: Systems Behavioral Neuroscience - 4 credits
  • One elective course in PSY or BIO from approved list - 4 credits

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • PSY 380: Experimental Psychology I - 4 credits
  • COM 200: Public Speaking - 3 credits
  • BIO 493: Major Field Test in Biology - 0 credits
  • One elective course in PSY from approved list - 4 credits
  • Take two remaining Area of Knowledge, Learning Community courses - 6 credits
• Spring:
  • PSY 381: Experimental Psychology II - 4 credits
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course - 3 credits
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course - 3 credits
• Total Credits: 121-122

Pre-Med

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These courses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 101: General Biology I - 4 credits
  • CHE 111: General Chemistry I - 4 credits
  • UNV 101: First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community - 1 credit
  • First Second Language Course - 3 credits
• Spring:
  • BIO 102: General Biology II - 4 credits
  • CHE 112: General Chemistry II - 4 credits
  • PSY 112: Introduction to Psychology - 4 credits
  • Second Language Course, if applicable - 3 credits

Second Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 231: Genetics - 4 credits
  • CHE 223: Organic Chemistry I - 5 credits
  • CIS 101: Introduction to Computing - 3 credits
  • PSY 315: Cognitive Psychology - 4 credits
• Spring:
  • ENG 120: Critical Writing - 4 credits
  • PSY 209: Health Psychology - 3 credits
  • One elective course in BIO - 5 credits
  • One major elective course in subject PSY from approved list - 4 credits

Third Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 251: Principles of Human Anatomy - 4 credits
  • BIO 325: Neurobiology - 3 credits
  • MAT 131: Calculus I - 4 credits
  • ENG 201: Writing in the Disciplines - 3-4 credits
  • Civic Engagement (CE) elective - 3 credits
• Spring:
  • BIO 334: General Physiology - 4 credits
  • MAT 141 or PSY 205: Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences or Statistics in Psychology and Allied Fields - 4 credits
  • BNS 410: Systems Behavioral Neuroscience - 4 credits
  • CHE 224: Organic Chemistry II - 5 credits

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 490: Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences - 3 credits
  • COM 200: Public Speaking - 3 credits
  • BIO 327: Cellular Biochemistry - 4 credits
  • PHY 101 or PHY 111: College Physics I or General Physics I - 4 credits
  • BIO 493: Major Field Test in Biology - 0 credits
• Spring:
  • BIO 395 or BIO 480 or BIO 491: Independent Study in Biology or Research in Biology or Internship in Biology - 3 credits
  • PHY 102 or PHY 112: College Physics II or General Physics II - 4 credits
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge and Learning Community (LC) course - 3 credits
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge and Learning Community (LC) course - 3 credits
  • One major elective course in subject PSY from approved list - 3 credits
• Total Credits: 123-124

General Path

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These courses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 101: General Biology I - 4 credits
  • CHE 111: General Chemistry I - 4 credits
  • UNV 101: First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community - 1 credit
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course - 3 credits
  • First Second Language Course - 3 credits
• Spring:
  • BIO 102: General Biology II - 4 credits
  • CHE 112: General Chemistry II - 4 credits
  • PSY 112: Introduction to Psychology - 4 credits
  • ENG 110: Composition - 3 credits
  • Second Language Course, if applicable - 3 credits

Second Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 231: Genetics - 4 credits
  • CHE 223: Organic Chemistry I - 5 credits
  • CIS 101: Introduction to Computing - 3 credits
  • PSY 315: Cognitive Psychology - 4 credits
• Spring:
  • ENG 120: Critical Writing - 4 credits
  • PSY 209: Health Psychology - 3 credits
  • One elective course in BIO - 5 credits
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course - 3 credits

Third Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 251: Principles of Human Anatomy - 4 credits
  • BIO 325: Neurobiology - 3 credits
  • MAT 131: Calculus I - 4 credits
  • ENG 201: Writing in the Disciplines - 3-4 credits
  • Civic Engagement (CE) elective - 3 credits
• Spring:
  • BIO 334: General Physiology - 4 credits
  • MAT 141 or PSY 205: Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences or Statistics in Psychology and Allied Fields - 4 credits
  • BNS 410: Systems Behavioral Neuroscience - 4 credits
  • One elective course in PSY from approved list - 4 credits

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • BIO 490: Introduction to Research in the Biological Sciences - 3 credits
  • BIO 493: Major Field Test in Biology - 0 credits
  • COM 200: Public Speaking - 3 credits
  • One elective course in PSY from approved list - 4 credits
  • Take two remaining Area of Knowledge, Learning Community courses - 6 credits
• Spring:
  • PSY 381 or BIO 480 or BIO 491: Experimental Psychology II or Research in Biology or Internship in Biology - 3 credits
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course - 3 credits
  • Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course - 3 credits
• Total Credits: 122-123