The psychobiology major is an interdisciplinary course of study offered jointly by the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Psychology. The program places major emphasis on the biological and social foundations of behavior.
The curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of students interested in the biological and behavioral sciences and prepare them for graduate study and professional work in fields such as neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, behavior genetics, ethology and psychopharmacology.
The program is also appropriate for students planning careers in medicine or related sciences.
| Fall Semester, First Year | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
|
BIO 101 |
Biology |
4 |
|
CHE 110 |
General Chemistry |
4 |
|
UC |
English |
3 |
|
QU 101 |
The Individual in the Community |
3 |
|
UC |
Mathematics* (MA 141 or MA 142) |
3 |
| Total 17 | ||
| Spring Semester, First Year | ||
|
BIO 102 |
Biology |
4 |
|
CHE 111 |
General Chemistry |
4 |
|
UC |
English |
3 |
|
PS 101 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
|
MA 142 or MA 275 |
Calculus or Biostatistics |
3 |
| Total 17 | ||
| Fall Semester, Second Year | ||
|
BIO 227 |
Comparative Anatomy & Physiology |
4 |
|
CHE 210 |
Organic Chemistry |
4 |
|
PS 307 |
Methods in Psychology I |
4 |
|
QU 201 |
Seminar on National Community |
3 |
| Total 15 | ||
| Spring Semester, Second Year | ||
|
BIO 228 |
Comparative Anatomy & Physiology |
4 |
|
CHE 211 |
Organic Chemistry |
4 |
|
PS 351 |
Brain & Behavior |
3 |
|
UC |
Social Sciences (usually PS 272) |
3 |
| Total 14 | ||
| Fall Semester, Third Year | ||
|
BIO 346 |
Cell Physiology |
4 |
|
PHY 110 |
General Physics |
4 |
|
PS 309 |
History & Systems of Psychology |
3 |
|
Independent Research |
3 | |
|
UC |
Humanities |
3 |
| Total 17 | ||
| Spring Semester, Third Year | ||
| BIO 4-credit 300-level biology course in consultation with the psychobiology professor | 4 | |
|
BIO 298 |
Research Methods |
2 |
|
PHY 111 |
General Physics |
4 |
|
PS 352 |
Animal Behavior |
3 |
|
UC |
Fine Arts |
3 |
| Total 16 | ||
| Fall Semester, Fourth Year | ||
|
CHE 315 |
General Biochemistry |
4 |
| BIO |
Biology Elective* |
4 |
|
QU 301 |
Seminar on Global Community |
3 |
|
UC |
Humanities |
3 |
|
UC |
Social Sciences (Adv. Psych) |
3 |
| Total 17 | ||
| Spring Semester, Fourth Year | ||
|
BIO 282 |
Genetics |
4 |
| BIO |
Biology Elective* |
4 |
|
PS 409 |
Psychology Seminar |
3 |
|
UC |
Humanities |
3 |
| Total 14 | ||
* The mathematics requirement will depend upon the high school entrance units presented (most students will probably enroll in MA 140 or 141). Biology electives should be selected, with faculty guidance, for their suitability to the goal of the individual student.
Note: Students may elect to have a chemistry minor with the psychobiology major with the addition of one course: CHE 215, Analytic Chemistry
Note: Psychology electives should be selected after consultation with the student’s faculty adviser.
Courses recommended include:
|
PS 232 |
The Concept of Personality (3 credits) |
|
PS 261 |
Social Psychology and Its Development (3 credits) |
|
PS 272 |
Abnormal Psychology (3 credits) |
|
PS 311 |
Group Tests and Measurements (3 credits) |
|
PS 354 |
Sensation and Perception (3 credits) |
|
PS 355 |
Psychology of Learning (4 credits) |
|
PS or BIO |
course chosen with consultation with adviser (3 credits) |