The Mind, Brain, and Behavior Concentration prepares students to be competitive candidates for graduate programs in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, and sensation and perception. Many students considering a career in medicine or an allied health profession also choose to complete this concentration. Students acquire a stronger science and quantitative background compared to the other concentrations in psychology. Students are encouraged to participate as undergraduate research assistants and work with a faculty member on a research project.

Learning Objectives

Successful students will:

1. Attain a solid foundation in the natural sciences.
2. Demonstrate strong analytical, mathematical, and statistical skills.
3. Identify, describe, and demonstrate knowledge of the major branches of psychology.
4. Describe, evaluate, and apply methods for conducting research and analyzing data in psychology.
5. Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate material from psychology.
6. Demonstrate the ability to write and communicate effectively on topics in psychology.
7. Appraise the diversity, complexity and intersectionality of human experience.
8. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice.
9. Engage in professional development and lifelong learning.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of the physiological methods used to study the mind and brain.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of the major content ideas pertaining to the mind and brain (e.g., sensation, perception, cognition).
12. Attain background knowledge and hands-on experience in conducting research on the mind and brain, if the goal is to pursue a graduate degree in this field of study.

Effective Fall 2025

Students must have a C or better in each of the following courses: PSY 100, PSY 192, PSY 210, PSY 250,PSY 252, PSY 350, PSY 493, the four MBB lecture courses, and the three MBB laboratory courses.

Maximum of 12 credits allowed toward graduation for any combination of PSY 295, PSY 296, PSY 384, PSY 484, PSY 486, PSY 487, PSY 488, PSY 495A-PSY 495F, PSY 496A-PSY 496F, PSY 498A-PSY 498F, PSY 499A-PSY 499F.

¹

Select any CS course except CS 192 or variable credit options. Some courses with this prefix will also satisfy the AUCC 3B requirement.

²

Select any PHIL course except variable credit options. Some courses with this prefix will satisfy the AUCC 3B requirement.

³

Select any course in category 3C of the AUCC except HONR 492 or any PSY course.

⁴

Select any SPCM course except SPCM 178 and variable credit options. Some courses with this prefix will satisfy the AUCC 3B requirement.

⁵

Select one course from this list, excluding variable credit options, that is not counted elsewhere.

⁶

Two PSY lecture courses from the set of PSY 452, PSY 454, PSY 456, and PSY 458 are needed to satisfy the AUCC 4B requirement, and two PSY laboratory courses from the set of PSY 453, PSY 455, and PSY 459 are needed to satisfy the AUCC 4A requirement.

⁷

Selections may include any 300- or 400-level courses from DSCI, MATH, or STAT, excluding STAT 301 and STAT 307

⁸

Select any 3-5 credit 300- or 400-level course from BC, BMS, BZ, CHEM, CS, or PH, excluding variable credit courses, that is not counted elsewhere.

⁹

Select enough elective credits to bring the program to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level). 

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
Students must have a C or better in each of the following courses: PSY 100, PSY 192, PSY 210, PSY 250, PSY 252, PSY 350, PSY 493, the four MBB lecture courses, and the three MBB laboratory courses.

Maximum of 12 credits allowed toward graduation for any combination of PSY 295, PSY 296, PSY 384, PSY 484, PSY 486, PSY 487, PSY 488, PSY 495A-PSY 495F, PSY 496A-PSY 496F, PSY 498A-PSY 498F, PSY 499A-PSY 499F.