Program Overview

Pre-Psychological & Brain Sciences - BS

General Program Information

The B.S. in Psychological & Brain Sciences is designed to provide students with an appreciation of the scientific study of mind and behavior. Our focus at UCSB is on experimental research psychology. The program offers excellent preparation for graduate study in any area of the discipline. The program does not provide training for counseling or clinical psychology, although many of our courses are good preparation for graduate training in these areas.

Program Type

• Bachelor's Degree

Program Description

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific study of mind and behavior, with a focus on experimental research psychology.

Featured Courses

• PSY106 - Introduction to Biopsychology
• PSY123 - Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSY143 - The Evolution of Human Relationships
• PSY149 - Close Relationships
• PSY155 - Evolution and Cognition
• PSY153 - Social Neuroscience

Graduate and Professional Pathways

• Graduate School in Neuroscience, Cognition, Clinical Psychology, and Social Psychology
• Health Care
• Public Health/Administration
• Social Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Cognition

Top Employers

• Seneca Family of Agencies
• National Institute of Health
• Technology & Services Industry Association

Program Highlights

• World renowned faculty in Social, Evolutionary, and Cognitive Psychology, as well as Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and women's health
• Only UC campus without a B.A. in Psychology
• Roughly 300 students per quarter work as research assistants in a psychological lab

Related Disciplines

• Spatial Cognition
• Geography
• Sociology
• Communication
• Biology/Chemistry

Associated Interests

• Virtual Reality
• Bionic Vision
• Cognitive Deficits
• Human Development
• Substance Abuse
• fMRI
• Close Relationships