Major in Neuroscience, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Concentration

The Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience concentration integrates an understanding of neuroanatomy with the mechanisms of sensation/perception and learning/memory, generally applied to human behavior. Its focus is at the functional level of neuronal systems and networks. It differs from classical psychology in providing a more in-depth cellular and molecular basis for understanding behavior and neurological disorders that influence behavior. Graduates with this concentration are well prepared for many graduate and professional degree programs in health professions, as well as for careers in a variety of clinical settings, non-profit disease oriented foundations, and private sector organizations in either research-related or human resource service-related positions.

Effective Fall 2024

Freshman
		AUCC	Credits
CHEM 111	General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)	3A	4
CHEM 112	General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)	3A	1
CHEM 113	General Chemistry II		3
CHEM 114	General Chemistry Lab II		1
CO 150	College Composition (GT-CO2)	1A	3
LIFE 102	Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1)	3A	4
MATH 155	Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1)	1B	4
NB 192	Introductory Neuroscience Seminar		1
PSY 100	General Psychology (GT-SS3)	3C	3
Arts and Humanities		3B	3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion		1C	3
	Total Credits		30
Sophomore

CHEM 341	Modern Organic Chemistry I		3
CHEM 343	Modern Organic Chemistry II		3
CHEM 344	Modern Organic Chemistry Laboratory		2
LIFE 201B	Introductory Genetics: Molecular/Immunological/Developmental (GT-SC2)	3A	3
LIFE 210	Introductory Eukaryotic Cell Biology		3
PSY 252	Mind, Brain, and Behavior		3
Select one from the following:			3
CO 300	Writing Arguments (GT-CO3)	2
CO 301B	Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)	2
Select one of the following:			2
LIFE 203	Introductory Genetics Laboratory
LIFE 212	Introductory Cell Biology Laboratory
Select one from the following:			5
PH 121	General Physics I (GT-SC1)	3A
PH 141	Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)	3A
Arts and Humanities		3B	3
	Total Credits		30
Junior

BC 351	Principles of Biochemistry		4
BMS 300	Principles of Human Physiology		4
NB 399	Thesis Preparation		1
PSY 250	Research Design and Analysis I		3
Select one from the following:			3
PSY 352	Learning and Memory
PSY 452	Cognitive Psychology
Select one from the following:			3
STAT 301	Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods
STAT 307	Introduction to Biostatistics
Select two elective lecture courses not previously taken:			6
BMS 405	Nerve and Muscle-Toxins, Trauma and Disease
BMS 425	Introduction to Systems Neurobiology
BZ 433	Behavioral Genetics
CHEM 320	Chemistry of Addictions
MIP 300	General Microbiology
PSY 454	Biological Psychology	4B
PSY 456	Sensation and Perception	4B
PSY 458	Cognitive Neuroscience	4B
Select two elective laboratory courses not previously taken:			4-5
BMS 302	Laboratory in Principles of Physiology
CHEM 442	Chemistry of Hemp and Cannabis
MIP 302	General Microbiology Laboratory
PSY 455	Biological Psychology Laboratory
PSY 457	Sensation and Perception Laboratory
PSY 459	Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory	4A
Historical Perspectives		3D	3
	Total Credits		31-32
Senior

BMS 325	Cellular Neurobiology		3
BMS 345	Functional Neuroanatomy		4
NB 493	Senior Seminar	4C	1
NB 499	Senior Thesis	4A,4C	3
Select two groups from the following:			10
Group A:
PSY 454	Biological Psychology	4B
PSY 455	Biological Psychology Laboratory
Group B:
PSY 456	Sensation and Perception	4B
PSY 457	Sensation and Perception Laboratory
Group C:
PSY 458	Cognitive Neuroscience	4B
PSY 459	Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory	4A
Electives¹			7-8
	Total Credits		28-29
	Program Total Credits:		120

¹: Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

*Freshman*
Semester 1		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
CHEM 111	General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)	X		3A	4
CHEM 112	General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)	X		3A	1
CO 150	College Composition (GT-CO2)	X		1A	3
LIFE 102	Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1)	X		3A	4
NB 192	Introductory Neuroscience Seminar	X			1
Arts and Humanities			X	3B	3
MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 must be completed by the end of Semester 1, if necessary.		X
	Total Credits				16
Semester 2		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
CHEM 113	General Chemistry II	X			3
CHEM 114	General Chemistry Lab II	X			1
MATH 155	Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1)	X		1B	4
PSY 100	General Psychology (GT-SS3)	X		3C	3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion			X	1C	3
	Total Credits				14
*Sophomore*
Semester 3		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
CHEM 341	Modern Organic Chemistry I	X			3
LIFE 210	Introductory Eukaryotic Cell Biology	X			3
PSY 252	Mind, Brain, and Behavior	X			3
Select one from the following:		X			5
PH 121	General Physics I (GT-SC1)			3A
PH 141	Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)			3A
	Total Credits				14
Semester 4		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
CHEM 343	Modern Organic Chemistry II	X			3
CHEM 344	Modern Organic Chemistry Laboratory	X			2
LIFE 201B	Introductory Genetics: Molecular/Immunological/Developmental (GT-SC2)	X		3A	3
Select one course from the following:		X			3
CO 300	Writing Arguments (GT-CO3)			2
CO 301B	Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)			2
Select one course from the following:		X			2
LIFE 203	Introductory Genetics Laboratory
LIFE 212	Introductory Cell Biology Laboratory
Arts and Humanities			X	3B	3
CHEM 341 must be completed by the end of Semester 4.		X
	Total Credits				16
*Junior*
Semester 5		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
BC 351	Principles of Biochemistry	X			4
BMS 300	Principles of Human Physiology	X			4
PSY 250	Research Design and Analysis I	X			3
Select one of the following:		X			3
PSY 352	Learning and Memory
PSY 452	Cognitive Psychology
	Total Credits				14
Semester 6		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
NB 399	Thesis Preparation				1
Select one of the following:		X			3
STAT 301	Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods
STAT 307	Introduction to Biostatistics
Elective Lectures (see list on Program Requirements tab)		X			6
Elective Laboratories (see list on Program Requirements tab)		X			4-5
Historical Perspectives			X	3D	3
	Total Credits				17-18
*Senior*
Semester 7		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
BMS 325	Cellular Neurobiology	X			3
BMS 345	Functional Neuroanatomy	X			4
NB 493	Senior Seminar	X		4C	1
Select one group from the following (not previously taken):		X			5
Group A:
PSY 454	Biological Psychology			4B
PSY 455	Biological Psychology Laboratory
Group B:
PSY 456	Sensation and Perception			4B
PSY 457	Sensation and Perception Laboratory
Group C:
PSY 458	Cognitive Neuroscience			4B
PSY 459	Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory			4A
Electives			X		3
	Total Credits				16
Semester 8		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
NB 499	Senior Thesis	X		4A,4C	3
Select one group from the following (not previously taken):		X			5
Group A:
PSY 454	Biological Psychology			4B
PSY 455	Biological Psychology Laboratory
Group B:
PSY 456	Sensation and Perception			4B
PSY 457	Sensation and Perception Laboratory
Group C:
PSY 458	Cognitive Neuroscience			4B
PSY 459	Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory			4A
Electives			X		4-5
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.		X
	Total Credits				12-13
	Program Total Credits:				120