Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience

Program Contact: Adrienne Betz 203-582-5259

Behavioral neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that studies brain and behavior in a multifaceted and integrative way. The behavioral neuroscience major is a course of study that emphasizes the interaction between the psychological and biological foundations of behavior. Behavioral neuroscience majors choose one of two tracks (Natural Science track or Psychological Science track) based on their individual goals and interests. Students can participate in supervised concentrations offered in our department to gain experience in applying their knowledge of psychology to a real-world setting.

The Natural Science track is a science-intensive program that provides training to students who have primary interests in the biological sciences as applied to psychology and behavior. The curriculum in this track can fulfill the science prerequisites for most professional schools such as medical school and students may fully participate in the Pre-Medical Studies program. Students are eligible for participating in the Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology Program or the Master of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences and their respective dual-degree programs.

The Psychological Science track includes a core set of courses in biology, chemistry and physics, but is more psychology-intensive than the Natural Science Track. This track would be appropriate for those who are most interested in aspects of psychology that are most directly related to physiology and brain function, and how they relate to behavior. The curriculum in this track prepares students for entry to graduate programs or employment in behavioral neuroscience and related fields.

Students seeking a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience must complete requirements for the University Curriculum and a foreign language up to the 102-level. Initial placement in English and mathematics scores is determined by examination and evaluation of high school units presented. Within the major, behavioral neuroscience students take a set of courses that emphasize scientific reasoning. After taking PS 101, all majors take PS 206, PS 307, PS 308 or PS 353, and PS 401 in separate semesters. The capstone course, PS 401, must be taken in the senior year, taken as a seminar during the regular academic year, and following completion of PS 308 or PS 353. In each of the following sequence courses, students must earn a grade of C- or higher before moving on to the next course: PS 206, PS 307, PS 308 or PS 353. Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in PS 101 before moving on to any 200-level PS courses and in PS 252 before moving on to the PS 357 course. All majors are encouraged to work closely with their academic adviser to plan their progress through the major.

BS in Behavioral Neuroscience: Natural Science Track

Students on the natural science track must complete a biological and physical science core, and a psychology core.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
University Curriculum ¹		46
College of Arts and Sciences Requirements ^2,3		6
Biological and Physical Science Core
BIO 150 & 150L	General Biology for Majors and General Biology for Majors Laboratory	4
BIO 151 & 151L	Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab	4
CHE 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab	4
CHE 111 & 111L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab	4
CHE 210 & 210L	Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab	4
CHE 211 & 211L	Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab	4
PHY 110 & 110L	General Physics I and General Physics I Lab	4
PHY 111 & 111L	General Physics II and General Physics II Lab	4
or
PHY 121	University Physics
PHY 122	University Physics II
BIO 211 & 211L	Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I	4
BIO 212 & 212L	Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab	4
BIO 329	Neurobiology	3
BIO 346 & 346L	Cell Physiology and Cell Physiology Lab	4
CHE 315 & 315L	Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Lab	4
Psychology Core
PS 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
PS 206	Introduction to Statistics in Psychology	3
PS 307	Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology with Lab	4
PS 308	Advanced Research Methods in Psychology with Lab	4
or
PS 353	Research Methods in Behavioral Neuroscience	3
PS 401	Integrative Capstone for Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience Majors	3
Psychology Content Courses
PS 233	Cognitive Psychology	3
PS 252	Physiological Psychology	3
PS 272	Abnormal Psychology	3
PS 354	Sensation and Perception	3
PS 357	Drugs, Brain and Behavior	3

All majors are encouraged to work closely with their academic adviser to plan their progress through the major.

BS in Behavioral Neuroscience: Psychological Science Track

All students majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience: psychological science track must complete a biological and physical science core and a psychology core.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
University Curriculum ¹		46
College of Arts and Sciences Requirements ^2,3		6
Biological and Physical Science Core
BIO 150 & 150L	General Biology for Majors and General Biology for Majors Laboratory	4
BIO 151 & 151L	Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab	4
CHE 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab	4
CHE 111 & 111L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab	4
PHY 101 & 101L	Elements of Physics and Elements of Physics Lab	4
BIO 211 & 211L	Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I	4
BIO 212 & 212L	Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab	4
BIO 240	Cellular Communication	3
BIO 329	Neurobiology	3
Psychology Core
PS 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
PS 206	Introduction to Statistics in Psychology	3
PS 307	Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology with Lab	4
PS 308	Advanced Research Methods in Psychology with Lab	4
or
PS 353	Research Methods in Behavioral Neuroscience	3
PS 401	Integrative Capstone for Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience Majors	3
Psychology Content Courses
PS 233	Cognitive Psychology	3
PS 252	Physiological Psychology	3
PS 272	Abnormal Psychology	3
PS 354	Sensation and Perception	3
PS 357	Drugs, Brain and Behavior	3
Three 200 or above PS electives		9

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Behavioral Neuroscience majors, on either track, normally complete the following courses in their first year ⁴
FYS 101	First-Year Seminar	3
EN 101	Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing	3
EN 102	Academic Writing and Research	3
MA 141	Calculus of a Single Variable ³	3
or MA 151	Calculus I
BIO 150	General Biology for Majors	4
BIO 151	Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics	4
CHE 110	General Chemistry I	3
CHE 111	General Chemistry II	3
PS 101	Introduction to Psychology	3

All students must complete the 46 credits of the University Curriculum

Students must complete the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements specific to their major. See details below.

Students who do not directly place into MA 141 should take MA 140.

⁴

Some of these courses can fulfill the University Curriculum requirements.

All majors are encouraged to work closely with their academic adviser to plan their progress through the major.

College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum

The College of Arts and Sciences offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees. As the home of the liberal arts at Quinnipiac, CAS encourages students to pursue a balanced program of study across multiple disciplines. In pursuit of that goal, CAS imposes additional requirements beyond the University Curriculum.

All CAS students (both bachelor of science and bachelor of arts) must complete one foreign language through the 102-level. Foreign language classes may also count toward the UC Personal Inquiry II requirement.

Additionally, students earning a bachelor of arts must fulfill separate requirements for breadth and depth of study:

For the breadth requirement, students must complete at least 3 credits in each of the four CAS disciplinary areas other than the area of the student’s major. These areas are: fine arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. For example, a student majoring in political science—a social science discipline—would complete at least 3 credits each in fine arts, humanities and natural science. A course taken to fulfill the CAS breadth requirement may not simultaneously fulfill any UC requirement.

For the depth requirement, students must complete at least 9 credits within a single subject area other than that of the major. (A “subject area” is identified with a catalog subject code, such as PL, CJ, WS, MA, etc.) CAS depth courses may also count toward UC requirements.

Students pursuing a bachelor of science, a double major, or certain accelerated degree programs are exempt from the CAS breadth and depth requirements, but must complete the foreign language requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes¹

Breadth of Knowledge of Psychology: Use and evaluate various psychological perspectives to evaluate and predict complexities in affect, behavior and cognition; understand the history of the field and how psychology fits with other disciplines.
Scientific Reasoning: Conduct, interpret and evaluate scientific studies in terms of the reliability, validity and generalizability of the research designs; develop open-mindedness, curiosity and amiable skepticism toward claims.
Ethical Responsibility: Apply ethical standards to research and practice situations; demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity in work and communities.
Communication Skills: Demonstrate flexibility and clarity of argument in both written and oral communication.
Personal Development: Apply psychological thinking to issues encountered in work and personal life, such as using evidence to solve problems; engage in teamwork as well as self-reflection and self-management.

Note, our discussion draws upon American Psychological Association's (APA) guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major.

Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.

Pre-Medical Studies Program

Students majoring in Health Science Studies, Biology, Biomedical Sciences or the natural science track of Behavioral Neuroscience may fully participate in the pre-medical studies program. The curriculum in this degree program can fulfill the science prerequisites for most professional schools. Students should refer to Pre-Medical Studies for more information about the pre-medical studies program and contact the Health Professions Advisory Committee for further academic advising.