Program in!
BEHAVIORAL!
NEUROSCIENCE!
Welcome Day 2013
Behavioral Neuroscience Program Description
Behavioral Neuroscience focuses on the biological basis of behavior. The program
combines the disciplines of biology and psychology in an attempt to facilitate an appreciation
of the scope of human behavior and understand how the behavior of humans and other
animals is controlled by physiological systems.
Course work is designed to provide an understanding of nerve cells, chemical neurotransmission, and neural circuits as well as fundamental biological processes such as genetic
inheritance, development, and physiology and then to see how these biological mechanisms
give rise to normal and pathological behavioral states. The curriculum includes a strong
background in chemistry and mathematics and prepares students for higher degree granting
programs in graduate or medical school. Some BNS graduates enter careers in industry in
such areas as biotechnology, bioengineering, neurotechnology and business administration.
Students with a bachelor’s degree are qualified for employment in a variety of fields from
clinical and basic research to positions in health care or biotechnology.
Why Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern?
• One of the longest running undergraduate BNS programs in the U.S.
• The largest BNS program in the U.S. with over three times the number of undergraduate
registrants than its’closest peer.
• From a programmatic standpoint, our BNS program offers a greater number and a more diverse
3. Program
peers
and aspirants
array of BNS
specialty
courses.
A web-based survey of potential BNS program peers and aspirants identified
nine
(9) other
in Behavioral
Neuroscience
in the continental
United
States.
• BNS
program
atprograms
Northeastern
University
is the only undergraduate
BNS
major
to offer
The Director of each of the individual programs was contacted by phone to gather
advanced
courses
in Clinical
Neuroscience,
Comparative
detailedspecialty
registration
data and
curriculum
information. Neuroethology,
Of those programs,
data from
Neurobiology,
Computational
Neuroscience
and Functional
Human
seven (7) respondents
plus Northeastern
University
are compiled
in theNeuroanatomy.
following table.
University
Andrews Univ.
Barnard College
Connecticut Coll.
E. Tenn. Univ.
Lehigh Univ.
Univ. Memphis
Quinnipiac Coll.
W. Wash. Univ.
Wright State Univ
Department
Psychology
Psychology/Biology
Psychology/Biology
Psychology
Biological Sciences
Psychology
Psychology
Psycholgoy/Biology
Psychology
Program Type
Specialization/Psych.
Joint Psych/Biol.
Specialization/Psych.
Specialization/Psych.
Specialization/Biol.Sci.
Specialization/Psych.
Specialization/Psych.
Joint Psych/Biol.
Specialization/Psych
Degree; Area
BS; Psych.
BS; BNS
BA; BNS
BS; Psych.
BA/BS; BNS
BS; Psych
BS; BNS
BA; BNS
BS; Psych.
Year
2004
2001
1996
N/A
1992
2004
N/A
2008
2008
Students
14
100
33
N/A
85
5
N/A
30
27
Courses
6
10
3
3
5
5
N/A
5
9
Northeastern
Psychology/Biology
Joint Psych/Biol.
BS; BNS
1993
324
12
As seen in the table, the BNS program at Northeastern University is one of the
Behavioral Neuroscience Guide
Northeastern University
BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE MAJOR
*COURSE REQUIREMENTS*
*NOTE: The laboratory (Lab) section is required for any course that offers a laboratory course
Principle Foundation Courses
Take each of the following Introductory and Intermediate courses
Take the following 13 required courses:
56 Semester Hours (SH)
Introductory Courses
Course
Banner Course Number
Credits
Introduction to BNS
Foundations of Psychology
Calculus & Differential Eq for Biology 1
Calculus & Differential Eq for Biology 2
Principles of Biology 1* + Lab
Principles of Biology 2* + Lab
General Chemistry 1, Recitation + Lab
General Chemistry 2, Recitation + Lab
BNSC 1000
PSYC 1101
MATH 1251
MATH 1252
BIOL 1101 + Lab BIOL 1102
BIOL 1103 + Lab BIOL 1104
CHEM 1211 + CHEM 1212 + CHEM 1213
CHEM 1214 + CHEM 1215 + CHEM 1216
1SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
5SH
5SH
5SH
5SH
NU Core
Social Science
Math level 1
Math level 1
Science/Technology 1
Science/Technology 1
*"If"you"have"2"AP"credits"in"Biology,"then"replace"Principles"of"Biology"1&2"with"Inquiry"into"Behavior"&"Evolution"(BIOL"2297)"
Intermediate Courses
Course
Banner Course Number
Credits
NU Core
Statistics in Psychology Research
Psychobiology OR Neurobiology
Genetics and Molecular Biology + Lab
Organic Chemistry 1 + Lab
Organic Chemistry 2 + Lab
PSYC 2320
PSYC 3458 or BIOL 3405
BIOL 2301 + BIOL 2302
CHEM 2311 + CHEM 2312
CHEM 2313 + CHEM 2314
4SH
4SH
5SH
5SH
5SH
Math level 2
Behavioral Neuroscience Core Courses
Math level 2
Level 2 elective
Level 2 elective
*"If"you"have"2"AP"credits"in"Biology,"then"replace"Principles"of"Biology"1&2"with"Inquiry"into"Behavior"&"Evolution"(BIOL"2297)"
Intermediate Courses
Course
Banner Course Number
Credits
NU Core
Statistics in Psychology Research
Psychobiology OR Neurobiology
Genetics and Molecular Biology + Lab
Organic Chemistry 1 + Lab
Organic Chemistry 2 + Lab
PSYC 2320
PSYC 3458 or BIOL 3405
BIOL 2301 + BIOL 2302
CHEM 2311 + CHEM 2312
CHEM 2313 + CHEM 2314
4SH
4SH
5SH
5SH
5SH
Math level 2
Math level 2
Level 2 elective
Level 2 elective
Behavioral Neuroscience Core Courses
Take the following courses only after completing Foundations of Psychology (PSYC1101), Principles of
Biology I (BIOL1101+1102), and Psychobiology (PSYC3458) and any other course prerequisites
Take 6 of the following 11 BNS Core Courses:
24-26 SH
Course
Banner Course Number
Credits
Sensation and Perception
Neuropsychology of Fear
Behavioral Endocrinology
Clinical Neuroscience
Psychopharmacology
Animal Behavior
Neurobiology *
Neuroethology + Lab
Comparative Neurobiology
Computational Neuroscience
Functional Human Neuroanatomy
PSYC 3452
PSYC 3506
PSYC 3508
PSYC 3514
PSYC 4510
BIOL 3403
BIOL 3405
BIOL 5545 + BIOL 5546
BIOL 5587
BIOL 5603
PT 5410 + PT 5411
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
5SH
4SH
4SH
5 SH
NU Core
* Neurobiology cannot fulfill both Intermediate Course and BNS Core Course requirements
Page 4 of 9
Behavioral Neuroscience Guide
Northeastern University
Psychology Elective Courses
Take only after completing Foundations of Psychology (PSYC1101) and any other course prerequisites
Take 1 of the following Psychology Elective Courses*:
4 SH
Course
Banner Course Number
Credits
Behavior Therapies
Developmental Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Learning and Motivation
Cognition
Neuropsychology
Cognitive Development
PSYC 2358
PSYC 3404
PSYC 3406
PSYC 3450
PSYC 3466
PSYC 3512
PSYC 4524
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
NU Core
* An additional BNS Core Course can fulfill the Psychology elective
Biology Elective Courses
Take only after completing Principles of Biology I (BIOL1101+1102) and any other course prerequisites.
Take 1 of the following Biology Elective Courses**:
4-5 SH
Course
Banner Course Number
Credits
NU Core
Cell Biology + Lab
Microbiology
Biochemistry + Lab
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy + Lab
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Biological Clocks
Animal Physiology + Lab
Developmental Biology
Biological Imaging
BIOL 2319+ BIOL 2320
BIOL 2321
BIOL 2323 + BIOL 2324
BIOL 3401 + BIOL 3402
BIOL 3407
BIOL 5306
BIOL 5551 + BIOL 5552
BIOL 5577
BIOL 5581
5SH
4SH
5SH
5SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
Writing Intensive
Writing Intensive
Writing Intensive
** An additional BNS Core Course CANNOT fulfill the Biology elective
Cell Biology + Lab
Microbiology
Biochemistry + Lab
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy + Lab
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Biological Clocks
Animal Physiology + Lab
Developmental Biology
Biological Imaging
BIOL 2319+ BIOL 2320
BIOL 2321
BIOL 2323 + BIOL 2324
BIOL 3401 + BIOL 3402
BIOL 3407
BIOL 5306
BIOL 5551 + BIOL 5552
BIOL 5577
BIOL 5581
5SH
4SH
5SH
5SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
Writing Intensive
Writing Intensive
Writing Intensive
** An additional BNS Core Course CANNOT fulfill the Biology elective
Specialty Courses
Take only after completing 2 years or more of courses in the major. Check for course prerequisites.
Take 1 Seminar Course (Course Designations Fulfill NU Capstone Requirement):
4 SH
Course
Banner Course Number
Credits
NU Core
Seminar in Clinical Case Study
Seminar in Behavior Modification
Seminar in Psychobiology
Seminar in Cognition
Seminar in Clinical Psychology
Seminar in Sensation and Perception
Seminar in Research Psychology
Inquiries in Behavior and Evolution OR
Inquiries in Cell and Molecular
Current Topics in Biology
PSYC 4650
PSYC 4654
PSYC 4656
PSYC 4660
PSYC 4666
PSYC 4668
PSYC 4670
BIOL 2297 or BIOL 2299
(Freshman with 2AP credits in Biology only)
BIOL 3409
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
Writing/Capstone
Writing/Capstone
Writing/Capstone
Writing/Capstone
Writing/Capstone
Writing/Capstone
Writing/Capstone
Page 5 of 9
4SH
Behavioral Neuroscience Guide
Northeastern University
Take 1 Psychology or Biology Laboratory Course:
4-5 SH
Course
Banner Course Number
Credits
NU Core
Lab in Learning and Motivation
Lab in Psychobiology
Animal Behavior Research
Lab in Cognition
Lab in Sensation and Perception
Directed Study
Directed Study
Biochemistry Methods Lab
PSYC 4604
PSYC 4606
PSYC 4608
PSYC 4612
PSYC 4622
PSYC 4992
BIOL 4992
BIOL 5579
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
4SH
5SH
Writing Intensive
Writing Intensive
Writing Intensive
Writing Intensive
Writing Intensive
Experiential Education Requirement
Choose 1 of the following Experimental Education options:
4-8 SH
Requirement
Banner Course Number or Activity
Credits
NU Core
Practical Experience
(see Requirements)
and
Reflective Experience
Coop, Research Internship, Experiential Education Directed Study
(PSYC 4996 or BIOL 4996), or Study Abroad
0-4SH
Experiential Learning
Capstone Course of Choice in Psychology or Biology
4SH
Writing/Capstone
4SH
4SH
Experiential Learn
Experiential Learn
OR
Practical and
Reflective Experience
BIOL 4970 or PSYC 4970, Honors Project 1 and
BIOL 4971 or PSYC 4971, Honors Project 2
!"#$%&'($)"&*+(,"-(".*(*/)"0/*1'2$"3%)$"$-4'"-"5-6)$*('"2*%/)'"7*/"$8'+/")'3+(-/"/'9%+/'3'($"$*"7%:7+::";<"5*/'"
NU Core (students entering Fall, 2007 or later)
Remaining NU Core Requirement Summary
Requirement
Banner Course Number or Activity
16 SH
Credits
NU CORE Requirements:
= we’ve got you covered
First Year Learning Communities – 1st year experience
Knowledge Domains – 4 courses
Arts/Humanities – 1 course
Social Science (level 1) – 1 course
Science/Technology (level 1) – 1 course
Level 2 Elective (2000 level or above) outside your major – 1 course
Writing-Intensive Instruction – 4 courses
College Writing – ENGL 1111
Advanced Writing – ENGL 3301, 3306, 3307, or 3308
Writing Intensive (2 courses)
Mathematical/Analytical Thinking – 2 courses – Level 1 + Level 2 Math courses
Comparative Study of Cultures – 1 course
Integrated Experiential Learning – 1 course or approved activity
Capstone – 1 course
Tips to Success in the BNS Major
YEAR 1: FOCUS ON CLASSROOM GRADES
(not laboratory research)
3 TOP GOALS: grades, grades, grades
first year
work study? max 10 hours/week
over year: look over websites
23 Departments & Centers at NU
second semester:
approach mentor, ask for 15 minutes to
“learn more about your research”
Tips to Success in the BNS Major
YEAR 2 and Beyond: GRADES
and RESEARCH
second year: get involved in research
learn what your interests are
+ do a good job (get a good recommendation)
+ publications & meetings
= important for medical/graduate school & jobs
23 Departments & Centers at NU with Neuroscience Research
Coop Program gives you advantages across the board
NU: #1 in Experiential Education
NEURONS student club
Brain Awareness Week
Peer Mentoring for Freshman
Bi-monthly Meetings with Pizza(Neurobiology of Optical Illusions, Sex, Neurogastronomy)
http://www.northeastern.edu/neurons/