1. All students are required to complete the
University requirements for a BS degree. The University of Memphis
Neuroscience is an extremely large discipline that encompasses a broad variety of scientists with many different scientific interests. Regardless of their specific focus, all neuroscientists are interested in the structure and function of the brain. Some neuroscientists focus on basic physiology of neurons, the biochemistry of neuronal communication, the integrated function of basic neural systems, or on the relationship of neural systems to behavior. It is this focus on the relationship of neural systems to behavior that is distinctive about behavioral neuroscience.
The behavioral neuroscience concentration at The University of Memphis is designed to offer undergraduate education for students whose interests are focused on the central nervous system and its relationship to behavior and cognitive processes. While designed to prepare students for graduate education in applied or basic careers in the neurosciences, it is also well suited for students contemplating professional or research careers in psychology, medicine, or pharmacology.
The behavioral neuroscience concentration is offered within the psychology department but the courses are open to all students and the behavioral neuroscience specialization may be arranged for students within any department.
Because behavioral neuroscience concentrators have additional laboratory requirements beyond those needed for the psychology major, at graduation all students who complete the behavioral neuroscience track receive a Bachelors of Science (BS) degree and a note on their transcript that they successfully completed the behavioral neuroscience concentration.
The behavioral neuroscience concentration is designed around specific psychology courses with the addition of courses in biology and chemistry.
1. All students are required to complete the
University requirements for a BS degree.
2. In addition, psychology majors are required
to meet the requirements of the psychology department. It will be noted, however, that these
requirements are included in the courses listed for the behavioral neuroscience concentration.
3. The primary additional required courses
are the course in research methodology, directed research, and senior thesis.
The following is a summary of the requirements for the concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience:
A. Psychology Majors in the Behavioral Neuroscience concentration are required to take the following courses in the natural sciences:
BIO 1151 and 1161 - General Biology
CHE 1121 and 1122 - General Chemistry
B. The Psychology Core: All the following psychology courses are required:
PSY 1101 and 1102 - General Psychology
PSY 3001 - Statistics
PSY 3002 - Research Design
PSY 310x - One 3100 level course
PSY 4101 - History
C. The Behavioral Neuroscience Core: The following courses are required:
PSY 3306 - Physiological Psychology
PSY 3507 - Alcohol, Drugs & Behavior
PSY 4505 - Special Problems in Behavioral Neuroscience (joint lab experience)
PSY 4506 - Directed Research in Behavioral Neuroscience (contract)
PSY 4997- Senior Thesis in Behavioral Neuroscience
D. Electives:
PSY 3303 - Thinking & Cognitive Processes
PSY 3304 - Sensation & Perception
PSY 3305 - Learning & Memory
PSY 3307 - Animal Behavior
PSY 4xxx - Introductory Neuropsychology
CHE 3311 - Organic Chemistry
There is a strong emphasis on research in the behavioral neuroscience concentration. Training begins with statistics and research design. This is followed by research methodology, directed research, and finally the student must complete an empirical research project during their senior year (senior thesis).
Statistics and Research DesignSpecial Problems
Directed ResearchSenior ThesisWhile many different faculty in the psychology department teach the psychology courses, the faculty that are primarily affiliated with the behavioral neuroscience concentration are:
Dr. Charles D. Blaha Dr. Melloni Cook - (BN Advisor) Dr. Charles J. Long - (BN Advisor) Dr. Doug Matthews - Dr. Guy Mittleman
The answer is yes. While the concentration requires careful planning and course sequencing, there is ample opportunity to complete all course requirements for graduation and for the behavioral neuroscience concentration in four years. Some students take summer courses to accelerate their progress through the major or allow them greater flexibility in course selection during the regular school year. To insure that you are on track you should consult with your faculty advisor and with the faculty behavioral neuroscience advisor sometime prior to the spring semester of your second year.
The behavioral neuroscience concentration is offered through the psychology department, so you must major in psychology to obtain the B.S. in behavioral neuroscience. However, if you decide to major in another discipline, you may still enroll in behavioral neuroscience courses. In fact, just as we encourage students in the behavioral neuroscience concentration to sample from a wide selection of course electives, we encourage other majors to sample from the behavioral neuroscience courses.
Follow these links to learn more about the field of neuroscience.
Follow this link for more information about The University of Memphis and the admission process.
Once you are admitted to The University of Memphis, you may select your major and an advisor in your major department. If you are interested in the behavioral neuroscience concentration, the only additional step would be to select an advisor in this concentration.
Gerogia State University (graduate)
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