Psychology: Concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience

Purpose

The Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration within Psychology provides interdisciplinary training for students preparing for academic or professional careers in neuroscience-related areas. The concentration brings together students from Psychology and Biology in a set of core courses and offers mentored research experience in faculty laboratories, opportunities for student research presentations and talks by distinguished visiting neuroscientists. The neuroscience concentration is a particularly good option for students who plan to do graduate study in neuroscience or neurosciencerelated fields or attend medical school for neurology, neurosurgery, or psychiatry specialties. Because of the large number of required courses in the concentration, it is very important that interested students meet with the concentration adviser as early in their college career as possible-no later than the start of their Sophomore year. The concentration adviser is Prof. Philip Zeigler, ((212) 772-5363; Room 626 Hunter North).

Admission Requirements

Admission is by application at the end of the sophomore year. Applicants will need to have completed or be currently taking the following courses with a minimum GPA overall of 3.0 and of 3.5 in the major. Selection will be based upon a combination of grades and an interview, and the identification of a faculty sponsor in whose laboratory the student’s research will be carried out. Application forms and names of faculty contacts may be obtained from the Psychology adviser’s office.

• BIOL 10000 (STEM) - Principles of Biology I
• BIOL 10200 (STEM) - Principles of Biology II
• CHEM 10200 (STEM) - General Chemistry I
• CHEM 10400 (STEM) - General Chemistry II
• PSYCH 10000 - Introduction to Psychology
• PSYCH 18000 - Brain and Behavior
• PSYCH 24800 - Statistical Methods in Psychological Research

Course Requirements for the Undergraduate Concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience

In addition to completion of the psychology major and the introductory sequences in chemistry and biology, students in the concentration will take the introductory course in calculus, additional courses in biology and chemistry and an interdisciplinary Behavioral Neuroscience Seminar. A year of laboratory research is required and an undergraduate thesis based on this research will be eligible for consideration for Departmental Honors. Completion of the concentration meets the requirements for the minor in Biology. For continuation in the concentration, students must maintain the GPA required for entry.

Additional Information

For questions or further information see the concentration adviser: Prof. P. Zeigler, tel: (212) 772- 5363, hzeigler@hunter.cuny.edu