Program

The mission of the Behavioral Neuroscience Division is to offer training in a variety of areas at the interface of Psychology, Biology, and Neuroscience. At present, there are faculty interested in functional neuroanatomy, psychopharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, physiological psychology and sensory physiology. Topics being investigated currently include the neural mechanisms of motivation and reinforcement, the neurobiology of learning and memory, taste guided behavior and the physiology and psychology of visual processing.

Recognizing the highly interdisciplinary nature of the field of Neuroscience, the Behavioral Neuroscience Division provides training in a variety of state-of-the-art behavioral, neurochemical, neuroanatomical and neurophysiological techniques. Current researchers utilize a variety of methods including multi-unit recording, immunocytochemistry, retrograde and anterograde tracing, in vivo microdialysis, high performance liquid chromotography, electrophysiologically guided placement of lesions, and single cell recording in the isolated retina. Additionally, extensive equipment for behavioral testing is available, including operant chambers, activity monitors, lickometers, rotometers and radial mazes as well as computerized systems for studying visuomotor control in humans.

As many Behavioral Neuroscience students are interested in academic careers, graduate students are also encouraged to complete a departmental teaching practicum, in which they are guided in teaching a course to undergraduates. Graduate students in Behavioral Neuroscience have received support from either teaching or research assistantships or from any of several fellowships. A number of fellowship opportunities, in particular, are available to qualified minority students. The Behavioral Neuroscience Division holds a division colloquium throughout the academic year, providing a forum for students and faculty to discuss current issues and research in behavioral neuroscience.

Course Requirements for the PhD In Behavioral Neuroscience

Majors:

Psch 484 Neuroscience 1
Psch 485 Neuroscience 2
Psch 568 Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience (3 hours)
Psch 569 Contemporary Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience (6 hours)
Mammalian Neuroanatomy (Psch Dept.) or Neuroanatomy (Offered Outside Psch Dept)

Plus TWO from:

PSCH 460 Advanced Learning
PSCH 462 Neural Bases of Learning and Memory
PSCH 465 Neural Bases of Sensory Processes
PSCH 466 Neural Bases of Motivation

Students whose research involves animals are required to complete GC470, and must be named as personnel on an approved ACC protocol. Students in the Behavioral Neuroscience program are strongly encouraged to complete the Concentration in Neuroscience offered by the Committee on Neuroscience. The preliminary qualifying exam is an oral examination based on a list of topics to be provided to the student upon entry into the graduate program.

Course Requirements for a department minor in Neuroscience

A. Three graduate seminars

1) PSCH 484 Neuroscience 1 or NEUS 501 Foundations of Neuroscience 1
2) PSCH 485 Neuroscience 2 or NEUS 502 Foundations of Neuroscience 2
3) OPEN WITH VARIOUS OPTIONS:
    NEUS 588 Human Neuroscience and FMRI
    PSCH 462 Neural Bases of Learning and Memory
    PSCH 465 Neural Bases of Sensation and Perception
    PSCH 466 Neural Bases of Motivation
    PSCH 463 Psychopharmacology
    PSCH 568 Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience
    BIOS 587 Topics in Neurobiology
    PSCH 483 Mammalian Neuroanatomy

Note: Seminar 3 can be substituted with a course not on the list but mist be approved by the division chair.

B. Two Semesters of attendance in Contemporary Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience (PSCH 569)

Note: A student may petition the division chair requesting to substitute one semester of PSCH 569 with another course or activity.