Behavioral Neuroscience, Minor

Introduction

The Behavioral Neuroscience (BHNS) minor, housed in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, is an interdisciplinary minor which involves students and faculty from across the University. Neuroscience is the study of brain anatomy and physiology, as well as the relationship between the brain and overt behavior, cognitive processes, and emotional experiences, among others. Behavioral neuroscience is a sub discipline within the general field and is directed toward understanding the neural components that support human behavior, both normal and abnormal. Neuroscience generally focuses on the study of the nervous system, whereas behavioral neuroscience is concerned with how neural components result in behavior.

The minor provides an opportunity for the in-depth exploration of the field of behavioral neuroscience to better prepare students for future study and careers in the natural and social sciences. Although advanced knowledge of the structure and function of the brain would augment the coursework in many majors (e.g., speech pathology and audiology, nursing, criminal justice, and biology), it is not always possible to offer sufficient course work within any of these majors to provide the level of training that a minor in behavioral neuroscience could provide. Thus, students with similar interests from various disciplines can collaborate on projects, broaden their perspectives, and increase their knowledge in this growing field, opening doors to careers that students would have otherwise not known about nor have been qualified to pursue. 

Program Organization

Students will be required to complete 24 credit hours, divided into three levels of study: basic principles, advanced topics and electives. This flexibility reflects the dynamic nature of the behavioral neuroscience field.

Central to the minor is a course in basic principles which will provide students with a foundation in cellular and systems components of the brain. (Introductory courses in the related fields of biology and psychology are required prerequisites in order to enhance students’ understanding of behavioral neuroscience concepts.) The advanced topics requirement is intended to foster additional student-faculty research and to give students an opportunity to apply the basic principles through the analysis of existing research in behavioral neuroscience and the participation in research in this exciting area. Research and practicum experiences offered by other programs (e.g., BIOL, CRIM, HLTH) can be counted toward advanced topics provided the content has a neuroscience emphasis, contingent on receiving prior approval from the BHNS coordinator. Electives are the third area of study and allow students to make the minor specific to their goals and interests. Students can merge knowledge accumulated in their disciplines with knowledge from completed behavioral neuroscience courses.

Admission to the Program

The Behavioral Neuroscience Minor is open to students of all majors. Interested students should inform their preceptor of their interest and be sure to complete the Declaration of Major/Minor Form, available through Academic Advising to officially declare the minor. The declaration form must be signed by the minor coordinator.

Because of the varied nature of the coursework, many of the above courses can be applied toward either cognate or at-some-distance requirements, depending on the student’s academic major and specific course selections within the minor. Much of the minor’s coursework would be considered as cognates for students with majors in Natural Sciences and Mathematics or Social and Behavioral Sciences, whereas most courses would be considered at-some-distance for majors in Arts and Humanities, Business, and Health Sciences. Many of the elective courses in the minor are general studies courses that can be used to meet these requirements. Students should consult with their preceptor and the minor coordinator to determine exactly how courses in the minor will be applied. The decision about where minor courses fit in a student’s academic plan is usually made by the student’s preceptor on behalf of the program in which the student majors. Planning early, particularly in programs with highly structured requirements, can help students complete the minor without taking additional coursework beyond the 128 credits required for graduation.

Career Opportunities

Completing a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience should increase one’s success in applying to graduate programs in medicine, neuroscience programs, as well as programs in biology, clinical neuropsychology, forensic psychology, criminal justice, law, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, among others. Specialized training in the brain would also be an asset for students entering into or completing professional programs, such as nursing and speech audiology and pathology, in which an advanced understanding of the brain’s structure and function would assist students in applying interventions aimed at rehabilitation.

In addition, training in neuroscience will help prepare students to work in applied laboratory settings that utilize neuroscience techniques and related approaches. Because neuroscience has become an integral component of many fields, the minor will serve as a complement to many undergraduate programs that prepare students to enter directly into service and applied professions, such as education, social work, and law enforcement.

 Full details about the minor curriculum can be accessed on the Behavioral Neuroscience website.