Getting started at the 3000 level |
Getting serious at 4000/5000 levels |
Most courses in the Behavioral Neuroscience area (PSB = Psychobiology and CBH = Comparative Animal behavior) have General Psychology (PSY 2013) as a prerequisite. There are two exceptions : PSB 3054 and PSB 4434 (see below). If you are a Psychology major taking a Behavioral Neuroscience course as an A elective only, you should take either PSB 3004 or CBH 3003
PSB 3004 Physiological Psychology |
| Essentials of the biological bases of behavior, with special relevance to psychology (e.g., structural and functional correlates of sensation, movement, motivation, and learning). (offered Fall, Spring, Summer A, Summer B) |
CBH 3003 Basic Comparative Psychology |
| Survey of the approaches to and concepts of the study of animal behavior as related to psychology. (Fall, Spring, occasionally Summer) |
If instead you think you are seriously interested in the Behavioral Neuroscience area, and plan to take advanced (4000 and above) courses, you are strongly recommended to register for PSB 3054 (Behavioral Neuroscience).
PSB 3054 Behavioral Neuroscience |
| More in-depth survey of the neuroanatomical, chemical, and electrophysiological studies of mechanisms of behavior (this alternative to PSB 3004 is for students with some prior biology). (Fall, Spring) |
The difference between these classes is in emphasis rather than content: PSB 3054 assumes a stronger biology or chemistry background. PSB 3054 also is designed for students with natural science backgrounds, but without PSY 2013, to enter the Neurobiological Sciences major (below).
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This photomicrograph illustrates glyoxylic acid immunofluorescence for cells in the ventral tegmental area of the rat brain. The bright green cell bodies are dopaminergic neurons, which project to various sites in the forebrain. These cells are implicated in many of the behaviors that are studied by members of the Behavioral Neuroscience program. |
Interdisciplinary Major in Neurobiological Sciences |
Students who want to specialize in neurobiology or neuroscience often elect to take an interdisciplinary (IDS) major in Neurobiological Sciences rather than a Psychology major. How do you decide which is right for you? If you are already a Psychology major, and are well on the way to the departmental requirement, there is not much advantage in switching majors. If you are not a Psychology major, or are only just starting, then IDS may be right for you. IDS allows you to create your own selection of courses (with some constraints!) for your major, but requires a research thesis (like any other senior thesis).
Many of these student Behavioral Neuroscience projects (either through Psychology faculty or IDS research mentors ) have been competitive locally (e.g., CLAS Undergraduate research) and have been presented at national meetings.
This is very important if you expect to do postgraduate work either in professional school (e.g. Medicine) or graduate school (e.g. Neurosciences).
Either PSB 3004 or PSB 3054 are prerequisites that allow you to then take one or more of the following courses. (IDS students must take the laboratory class and at least two other classes from this list).
PSB 4065 Psychobiology of Abnormal Behavior |
| Biological theories and models of mental retardation, schizophrenia, affective disorders, and others. Treatments of these conditions. (F or Sp) |
PSB 4104C Laboratory in Physiological Psychology |
| A "hands-on" introduction to current techniques used in research in behavioral neuroscience. (F, Sp, Smr C; Note: Access to this class is controlled by the instructor. There is always a waiting list: you should sign up on the form in room Psych 333 early during the semester before you want to take it. Because this class involves some animal contact, you are required to have proof of a current tetanus immunization). |
PSB 4434 Neurochemistry, Pharmacology, and Behavior |
| Advanced discussion of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and action of neuroactive drugs, in relation to behavior. (Sp; students may be admitted with biochemistry or zoology 3000 level courses, with permission of instructor). |
PSB 4504 Developmental Psychobiology |
| Principles of neural and behavioral development stressing the correlations among structural, chemical, endocrine, and behavioral events during maturation. (F or Sp) |
PSB 4654 Chemical Senses and Behavior |
| Discussion of neural mechanisms and function of chemical senses, interaction with physiologic state, and motivational aspects (F or Sp). |
PSB 4823 Principles of Integrative Physiological Psychology |
| Discussion of the problem of how reflexes become transformed into operant behaviors. Focus on drug and disease states as a way of getting insights into this problem in animals and humans. (F, Sp) |
PSB 4824 Biological Rhythms |
| A discussion of rhythmic processes in animals; physiological and behavioral manifestation; cellular and neural mechanisms. (This course is offered once every 2 years.) |
PSB 4934 Special Topics in Physiological Psychology |
| This is a "rotating topics" course. Most recently, this has been a seminar in the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, or a seminar on Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Faculty authorization is required to register for this course. See the Faculty course instructor (Dr. Devine). |
PSB 5445 Drug use and abuse |
| Objective informational approach to the commonly used and abused drugs. Psychological, physiological, social, medical, legal and historical aspects. (F or Sp) |
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Students who want to specialize in neuroscience often elect to take an interdisciplinary (IDS) major in Neurobiological Sciences rather than a Psychology major. How do you decide which is right for you? If you are already a Psychology major, and are well on the way to the departmental requirement, there is usually little advantage in switching majors. If you are not a Psychology major, or are only just starting, then IDS may be right for you. IDS allows you to create your own selection of courses (with some constraints!) for your major. The IDS major has a high academic standard, and the IDS program requires a senior research thesis. The undergraduate IDS program is administered through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Visit the CLAS web site for interdisciplinary studies for applications and deadlines. Neurobiological Sciences is the largest IDS major. Additional information on the IDS Neurobiological Sciences major may be found at the web site for IDS Neurobiological Sciences.
Many students' Behavioral Neuroscience theses (either through Psychology faculty or other IDS research mentors) have been recognized with awards at the local level (e.g., Undergraduate Scholar's Program) and have been presented at national meetings. This recognition of your research can be very important when you apply to do postgraduate work either in professional school (e.g. Medicine) or graduate school (e.g. Neurosciences).
There are two essential elements to the IDS program: a research senior thesis and core courses (17 or more credit hours). You need to find a research mentor and have them work with you on a research description which must be included in your application. The easiest way to do this is to browse the list of faculty members and their research activities on the Behavioral Neuroscience web site, or on the McKnight Brain Institute web site. It is your responsibility to contact these sponsors and determine their willingness to take you on as a student. You can contact them by telephone or e-mail using the information on the web sites. There are, however, some potential faculty sponsors not on these lists. So, if you have a rough idea of what you want to do, but don't find an exact match with your interest, contact:
In order to complete your application you will need a secondary faculty sponsor; this will usually be someone suggested by your primary sponsor. In any event, one of these two faculty must be in the CLAS. Each sponsor must write a (short) supporting letter to accompany your application. In addition, if animals or human subjects are to be used, a copy of the sponsor's Institutional approval letter or form must be attached. Dr. Rowland is the overall NBS director and must also sign off on all applications. Your primary sponsor may recommend some core courses relevant to your research. In any event, the following courses are required and common to each track:
Organic Chemistry: (recommended course CHM 3217); optional CHM 3218 (bio-organic)
Integrated Principles of Biology: (BSC 2010,2011, and labs)
General Physics: (PHY 2053, 2054, or higher)
Statistics sequence: (STA 2023, 3024)
Writing in Behavioral & Biological Sciences: (ENC 3254: take the IDS section)
Behavioral Neuroscience: (PSB 3054: PSB 3004 may be substituted if already taken)
Lab in Physiological Psychology: (PSB 4104C)
In addition, you should plan to take any additional courses relevant to your track. For example,
Cell & Molecular track must take either CHM 4207 or BCH 4024 (Biochem).
Behavioral Neuro track should take either EAB 3002 or CBH 3003 and two PSB 4000 level courses.
Cognitive track should take EXP 3604.
See your track director for additional course suggestions.
When you fill in your application, the courses you list are core (min. 20 hrs) and electives (min. 21 hrs) upper division (3000+ level). The courses you list in the core of your major should reflect the multidisciplinary nature and focus of the program. "Supporting" required courses such as ENC, STA and CHM ordinarily will appear in your electives list (oxymoron intended!).
| Undergraduate and Graduate students in the Behavioral Neuroscience program have the opportunity to work with the Faculty to characterize the neurobiological basis of behavior. Here, students are assaying hormones from samples of rat plasma. |  |