Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration
On this page:
- Why Choose the Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program?
- Academics and Curriculum
- Admission
- Careers and Success Stories
- Faculty
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Links
Why Choose the Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program?
In the Department of Psychology at Wright State University, undergraduates have the option of receiving a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience (BNS). This concentration prepares students for graduate studies in Behavioral Neuroscience and can be easily modified to incorporate premedical requirements as well.
Behavioral Neuroscience is the study of the biology of behavior. It focuses on the behavioral, neural, and physiological processes involved in perception, learning, memory, cognition, motivation, and emotion. Behavioral neuroscientists study the brain in relation to behavior, its evolution, development, functions, abnormalities, and repair, as well as interactions with the immune system, cardiovascular system, endocrine systems, and energy regulation systems.
The Behavioral Neuroscience section prides itself in having an active undergraduate Honors student community with a focus on applied community outreach. Visit the Honors Thesis webpage for a listing of undergraduate honors student theses and presentations.
Academics and Curriculum
In addition to fulfilling the requirements for the B.S. in Psychology, students concentrating in Behavioral Neuroscience at Wright State take extra coursework within the College of Science and Mathematics and focus their electives within the Psychology Department to those with primary relevance to the field of neuroscience. All students within the concentration are encouraged to participate in research supervised by one of the BNS faculty, either in their laboratories or as independent research and coursework. As part of the coursework for the undergraduate honors track, students can enroll in the Capstone Senior Seminar (Psy 487). This course teaches students how to conduct, analyze, and present literature reviews--one of the fundamental basis of empirical research.
View Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration program information, degree requirements, and graduation planning strategy in the University Catalog.
Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration Checklist (PDF)
Admission
Students must apply for admission to Wright State University. For admission into the Department of Psychology, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Successful completion of PSY 1010 or equivalent college-level Introductory Psychology course with a grade of 'C' or better.
- Earn at least a 2.25 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), including transfer courses.
- Successful completion of at least 15 semester credit hours of college-level coursework. This includes transfer credit hours and credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
For more information about the undergraduate program in psychology, contact the Psychology Department in 335 Fawcett Hall at (937) 775-2391.
Although you do not apply for this concentration until 64 hours of coursework are completed, it is best if several of the required courses are taken in the first two years of study. Obtain program information and course guidelines from the Wright State Psychology Psychology Department (Fawcett 335) as soon as possible.
You may apply for a concentration in behavioral neuroscience by filling out a BNS Concentration Application (PDF) available at the CoSM Student Service Office in 106 Oelman or here on our website. If you do not qualify immediately, please let someone in the CoSM Student Service Office know of your interest so that you may be added to a list of students who are interested in behavioral neuroscience and who intend to work on meeting the eligibility criteria. We will keep you abreast of any changes and developments with the concentration.
Admission Criteria
- Completion of 64 hours of coursework, including PSY 3910
- An overall GPA at Wright State of 3.2
- Declaration of Psychology B.S. as your major
- Completion of an application form
Applications are processed around the 10th week of each semester. Students will be notified upon admittance. Although the concentration is only open to psychology majors, any student may take the listed courses provided they have the necessary prerequisites.
PLEASE NOTE: For the BNS notation to remain on your transcript at time of graduation, you are required to: (1) complete the required courses AND (2) maintain a Psychology GPA of 3.2.
Careers and Success Stories
Sean Collins '12
Institution/ Company: Beckman Institute, UIUC
Highest Degree: B.S. Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration; Wright State University
Shannon Collins '14
Institution/ Company: Medtronic Neuromodulation
Highest Degree: B.S. Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration and Pre-Medical Studies, Wright State University
Darci Gallimore '15
Institution/ Company: Johns Hopkins University- Bloomberg School of Public Health
Highest Degree: MHS (Master of health science) in Mental Health
Kiel Hawk '11
Institution/ Company: QuintilesIMS
Highest Degree: MS in Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology; Miami University
Allison Perkeybile '08
Institution/ Company: Kinsey Institute at Indiana University
Highest Degree: PhD in Psychology; University of California- Davis
Kevin Schmidt '11
Institution/ Company: AFRL 711th Human Performance Wing
Highest Degree: MA in Psychology: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience; George Mason University
W.Tang Watanasriyakul '13 B.S., '16 M.S.
Institution/ Company: Northern Illinois University
Highest Degree: M.S. in Physiology & Neuroscience, Wright State University
Faculty
Core Faculty
Dragana Ivkovich Claflin, Ph.D.
Assaf Harel, Ph.D.
Michael B. Hennessy
Gale Kleven, Ph.D.
Michal J Kraszpulski, Ph.D.
Patricia Schiml, Ph.D.
Primary BNS Advisor
Dr. Patricia Schiml
313B Fawcett Hall
(937) 775-4453
Frequently Asked Questions
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What kinds of classes do I need to take?
You will need to take some basic science, math, and computer programming classes to gain a background in methods of scientific inquiry and analytic skills. Topics in behavioral neuroscience (e.g., relationships between behavior and the brain, hormones, or drugs) may be introduced in lower level elective classes offered by Psychology, Biology, or Neuroscience departments. Advanced courses will train you in research techniques and offer in-depth study of specific behavioral neuroscience topics that examine the complex relationships between behavior, the brain and neurochemical systems. Advanced coursework in cell biology and chemistry, e.g. organic chemistry and biochemistry, also is highly recommended.
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What other preparation will I need?
It is recommended that you receive research experience while you are an undergraduate. This may be obtained in a variety of ways, including working with a faculty member as a research assistant in his or her laboratory.
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Do I have to go to graduate school?
Most individuals interested in Behavioral Neuroscience eventually choose to pursue independent research within a focused area of interest. To conduct research of this nature, the training that a Ph.D. degree provides is typically necessary.
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What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience?
A bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience prepares you well for application to graduate programs within a broad array of fields, including behavioral neuroscience, psychology, biology, animal behavior, medicine, clinical neuropsychology, and general neuroscience. If you choose not to go to graduate school, a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience would be excellent preparation for such diverse careers ranging from a laboratory research assistant to a pharmaceutical representative.
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What can I do with a graduate degree in Behavioral Neuroscience?
M.S: With a master’s degree, you would be able to assist another scientist in running the day-to-day operations within his or her laboratory. A master’s degree would provide you with advanced research skills beyond the bachelor’s degree. Some community colleges employ master’s-level persons in teaching positions, as do many pharmaceutical laboratories.
Ph.D.: A doctoral degree in behavioral neuroscience would prepare you to conduct your own research program. With a Ph.D., you would be generating work that is relevant to the overall understanding of how the physiology of the brain contributes to human behavior and well-being. In addition, a Ph.D. prepares you to train others to do research in your field.
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How do I get a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at Wright State?
There is no major in behavioral neuroscience at Wright State. However, a Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience is currently available in the Department of Psychology at Wright State. The courses that students are required to take are described here (see “What classes…”). The concentration will appear on your academic transcript.
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What classes does Wright State require?
The WSU PUP office (Fawcett 335) has sample programs of study and checklists that will help you plan which courses to take. In addition to essential courses in basic science, math, statistics, and computer programming, you will take several of the behavioral neuroscience-relevant courses offered in the Department of Psychology. These courses include our 3-course behavioral neuroscience series (Behavioral Neuroscience I & II and Methods), lower level electives that introduce you to particular specialty areas in behavioral neuroscience (e.g., Hormones & Behavior, Drugs & Behavior), and upper level electives (BNS capstones, PSY 4900-4990) that will expose to you the breadth of the field and provide you with opportunities to explore areas of your interest in greater detail (e.g., Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Animal Behavior, Clinical Neuroscience, Endocrinology & Sexuality, Psychobiology of Stress, Behavioral Embryology and Teratology, Behavioral Neuroscience Education).
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How do I get research experience at Wright State?
It is recommended that you participate in research during your tenure at Wright State. You may do this by working as a student employee, or for credit, with a faculty member engaged in behavioral neuroscience research or by gaining research experience with other faculty, in other departments, or other lab settings. Additionally, one-on-one independent study courses or an honors project may be developed in conjunction with a faculty member according to your specific interests. Working as a research assistant or doing an Independent project depends on the availability of positions as well as your GPA, coursework completed, project needs, and your own schedule. See an advisor for referral to potential mentors.
Related Links
Relevant Websites
Below is a list of websites that describe various aspects of neuroscience. An introductory course in behavioral neuroscience would also provide you with an overview of the field. You may wish to speak to a faculty member engaged in behavioral neuroscience research or teaching. Look up faculty members’ research on the Internet and read their published work to see what kinds of scientific questions interest them.
- Neuroscience in the News
- American Psychological Association
- The journal, Behavioral Neuroscience
- Society for Neuroscience Brain Facts
- Comparative Brain Collection
- Foundation for Biomedical Research
Academic Chapters
- American Physiological Society
The OPS is a professional association of Ohio physiologists. Its goal is to advance the field of physiology as a coordinated discipline involving molecular, cellular, and organ system levels of organization in both basic and applied areas. - STEM
Wright State University is a proud member of the LEADER Consortium--a group designed to instruct individuals in the pedagogy and application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
National Institutions
- National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is primarily responsible for biomedical and health-related research. - National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides wealth of information on drug use and abuse. There are resources for teachers and parents as well as links to special topic web sites. The NIDA "InfoFacts" sheets provide brief useful overviews of certain drugs, while the "Research Reports" provide more detailed, in depth information.
Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) - The MPA is one of the largest psychological associations in the world. Members hold positions in universities, colleges, hospitals, clinics, school systems, business and industry, government and private practice. Other APA divisions of possible interest include: Division 3: Experimental Psychology, Division 28: Psychopharmacology & Substance Abuse, Division 33: Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, Division 40: Clinical Neuropsychology, Division 50: Society of Addition Psychology, Division 56: Trauma Psychology.
Center for Genomics Research - The Center for Genomics Research is (CGR) is a research center of excellence of Boonshoft School of Medicine and the College of Science and Mathematics at Wright State Univeristy. CGR's primary mission is to provide support and core facilities for Wright State research faculty engaged in basic and clinical research in the areas of gene expression, flow cytometry, and gentotyping. The center strives to cultivate collaborations between basic and clinical researchers at Wright State through training of personnel, collaborative projects undertaken at CGR and joint grant submissions involving researchers and CGR members.
Microscopy Core Facilities - Microscopy Core Facilities (MCF) is a center at Wright State University that offers equipment support in imaging and analysis. The center is open to research-engaged faculty.
Applied Research
- Wright State University & Premier Health Partners Neuroscience Institute
Designated as an Ohio Center of Excellence, the Wright State University & Premier Health Partners Neuroscience Institute represents a groundbreaking public-private partnership that unites the Dayton region's most advanced biomedical research institution with the clinical resources of its largest hospital system. Together, the neuroscientists of the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and the clinical neurologists of Premier Health Partners will:- Collaborate to conduct cutting-edge grant-funded research and clinical trials
- Enhance care quality and access in an area of critical need for a growing patient population
- Strengthen the economy and reputation of the region by earning international recognition as a center of excellence in neuroscience
- Miami Valley Hospital
Miami Valley Hospital’s (MVH) Neuroscience Program provides innovative diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system - specifically the brain, head and spinal cord.
Information Gateway
- Eric H. Chudler
This site is Eric H. Chudler's personal website. Dr.Chudler is a renowned research neuroscientist whose research interests include how the brain processes information about pain and nociception. - The Dana Foundation
The Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in New York dedicated to the support of grants and outreach in science, health, and education, particularly in the neuroscience areas. - The Lundbeck Institute
The Lundbeck Institute presents research on brain disorders. Check out "Brain Explorer" for a graphical and educational presentation of the brain and the disorders affecting it. - The Brain From Top to Bottom
This is a user's guide to the brain and its disorders. - Mouse Party
The site shows a fun animation video featuring addicted rodents.
