Requirements for the Major in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
The cognitive and behavioral neuroscience (CBN) major is designed for students with a focused interest in the biological bases of behavior and thought. The major is well-suited for students that are contemplating professional and/or research careers in clinical psychology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, veterinarian medicine, animal science, neurology and neuroscience. However, most of the courses in this major are open to all psychology majors and to students with other majors. Because CBN majors have additional laboratory requirements beyond those for the general psychology major, students in the CBN major will receive a bachelor of science degree instead of a bachelor of arts degree.
The Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Core
Students who choose the CBN major must meet coursework requirements similar to the traditional psychology major. One difference is that CBN majors must take PY 250, PY 251 and PY 255 to meet the Group II requirement. In addition, CBN majors are not required to meet the capstone requirement of PY 390 or PY 455 or PY 499. Instead, the CBN major must complete at least three of the following four proseminars: PY 391, PY 392, PY 491 and PY 492.
Required Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Core Courses
PY 110 Introduction to Psychological Sciences
PY 200 Professional Development
PY 201 Research Methods and Statistics I and Lab
PY 202W Research Methods and Statistics II and Lab
PY 250 / PY 251 Behavioral Neuroscience I and Lab
(Meets group II requirement)
PY 255 Behavioral Neuroscience II
PY 391, 392, 491, 492 Behavioral Neuroscience Seminars
(3-4, 1-hour courses)
PY 401-02 Senior Project I
PY 402W-02 Senior Project II
One course from Group I (see general psychology major requirements)
One course from Group III (see general psychology major requirements)
Required Extra-Departmental Courses
BI 201 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
BI 202 Introduction to Organismal Biology
CH 110 General Chemistry I
CH 111 General Chemistry II
Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Electives
Students in the CBN major are encouraged to take additional 200 and 300-level PY courses, as well as other upper-level BI and CH courses. Additional recommended electives will be determined via advising. There are several additional courses a CBN major might wish to take based on his/her interests. For example, if a student is interested in artificial intelligence; he/she would take courses in the cognitive area as well as in computer science. If the student is pre-med, he/she would take additional courses to meet the requirements for admission to medical school. Those students planning to apply to medical/veterinary/physical therapy schools should also take MA 141; BI 110 and 111; CH 231, 232, 370 and 371; and PH 101 and 102. Such students should discuss their academic plan with the pre-med adviser and/or
the CBN adviser during their first year.
Senior Cumulating Experience in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Graduating with either major in the Department of Psychology requires satisfactory completion of the Senior Cumulating Experience (SCE). CBN majors will register for PY 401-02 and PY 402W-02, a specific SCE series, to provide the specific type of training associated with performing neuroscience-based research. The topic of the SCE is determined through consultation with the CBN adviser.
Note: Students who declare a major in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience may not declare a second major or minor in Psychology.