student studying behavior of green tree monkeys in Barbados

Academics
Majors, Minors, and Programs
Behavioral Neuroscience

Behavioral Neuroscience

Behavioral neuroscience (BNS) is a multidisciplinary science that encompasses a wide variety of scientific pursuits. The field is unified around the common goal of investigating and understanding the biological basis of behavior and cognition.

Overview

This multidisciplinary approach provides students with a broad foundation for understanding how behavior and thought processes are governed by neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopharmacology. Students interested in the cellular mechanisms of behavior are encouraged to take courses in biochemistry & molecular biology (BMB) to complement their major requirements.

Your Major Took You Where?

Behavioral Neuroscience majors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers

Baptist Health Physical Therapy
Institute of Cellular Therapeutics
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Clinical Behavior Analysis
Children’s Therapeutics of Austin

Postgraduate Study

Ohio State University (Ph.D.)
Xavier University (M.H.S.A.)
National University of Health Sciences
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Creighton University (O.T.D.)

Curriculum

Centre’s behavioral neuroscience (BNS) curriculum includes a strong emphasis in psychology and biology with additional courses in chemistry and mathematics. The course work and research experiences behavioral neuroscience majors undertake include, but are not limited to, the following topics; human and animal behavior, brain-behavior interactions, nerve cell structure and function, chemical neurotransmission, the mechanisms of sensation and perception, and the neurological and behavioral effects of both therapeutic and recreational drugs. Overall students learn how fundamental concepts and principles in these areas are related to both normal and abnormal behavior.

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Experiential Learning

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences and reflection to develop skills and increase knowledge retention.

Behavioral neuroscience students have engaged in primate research in Barbados, and studied the roots of mindfulness in Japan. Student projects are commonly presented at professional meetings and/or published in professional journals, and many have won undergraduate research awards.

Internships

We're committed to helping students find quality internship experiences in the career area of their choice.

Students internships have included a mental health center, residential facility for children and adolescents, substance treatment program, and with regional physical therapists, dentists, and area hospitals. Other areas of interest for internships include a zoo, a primate rescue center, a center for mental health policy, and a limb motor control lab.

Careers

Our extraordinary liberal arts and sciences education prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.

Centre students that earn a BNS degree often pursue advanced graduate and/or professional training in neuroscience, psychology, human or veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical science, and animal research.