BS Degree in Psychology with Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration

Behavioral neuroscience focuses on understanding the biological basis of behavior and cognition. University of Memphis faculty in this area study the neurophysiology of drug and alcohol addiction, genetic basis of behavior, neural substrates of spatial and non-spatial memory, executive function, and motivation. Faculty explore these areas using experimental analysis of animal behavior, in vivo and in vitro neurochemical and electrophysiological measures, and psychopharmacological interventions. 

Behavioral Neuroscience students complete the same psychology curriculum as the regular BA or BS in psychology. However, their choices of courses in the broad areas of psychology, as well as some of their elective courses, are related to Behavioral Neuroscience. The full degree is outlined below. 

University General Education Requirements (41 Hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements.

Natural science courses are required for general education and can be partially fulfilled by the following Behavioral Neuroscience requirements: 

CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I** 

CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II** 

Psychology Bachelor of Science Requirements (12 Hours)

Choose Twelve Hours from any of the following:

Cognition and Physiological Psychology Content

• PSYC 3303 - Thinking/Cognitive Processes ** Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 3304 - Perceptual Psychology Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 3305 - Psyc Learning/Memory** Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 3307 - Animal Behavior ** Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 3530 - Psychology of Language Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4305 - Mind/Brain/Intelligence ** Credit Hours: (3)

PSYC Directed Research, Independent Study, or Thesis

• PSYC 4504 - Directed Research Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4505 - Independent Study in Behav Neurosci Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4506 - Direct Rsch Behav Neuro Credit Hours: (3)

Any course from BIOL, BIOM CHEM, COMP, HLSC, IIS, MATH, or PHYS  

NOTE: B.S. requirements are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements and the Psychology Major requirements. 

Psychology Major (39 Hours)

Psychology Core

Complete the Following Four Courses:

PSYC 1030 - General Psychology** Credit Hours: (3)

PSYC 1300 - Careers in Psychology ** Credit Hours: (1)

PSYC 3010 - Research and Statistics I ** Credit Hours: (4)

PSYC 3020 - Research and Statistics II ** Credit Hours: (4)

NOTE: PSYC 3010 and PSYC 3020 may only be repeated twice (taken three times) to earn a minimum grade of C-. No more than 9 upper division (3000/4000 level) psychology credit hours may be attempted prior to completion of PSYC 3010 with a grade of C- or better.

Content Areas

Choose One Course from Each of the Three Content Areas Below:

Cognition and Physiological Psychology Content (choose one)

• • •   PSYC 3306 - Physiological Psyc** Credit Hours: (3)

Social, Cultural, and Developmental Psychology Content (choose one)

• • • PSYC 3030 - Multicultural Psychology Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3101 - Psychology of Personality Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3103 - Child Psychology ** Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3106 - Social Psychology ** Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3108 - Positive Psychology Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3236 - Psychology of Gender Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3506 - Human Sexuality Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3510 - Deviance/Role History Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3601 - Psychology of Evil Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 4034 - Children Soc Relationships Credit Hours: (3)

Applied Psychology Content (choose one)

• PSYC 3102 - Psychopathology Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 3508 - Indust/Organizatnl Psyc Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 3509 - Applying Psyc/Community Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 3512 - Health Psychology ** Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 3518 - Psychology of Organizational Behavior Credit Hours: 3

• PSYC 3520 - Legal/Forensic Psyc Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4030 - Issues Psychotherapy Rsrch Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4101 - History of Psychology ** Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4102 - Child Psychopathology Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4401 - Intro to Clinical Psychology ** Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4507 - Psyc Internship Credit Hours: (3)

Field Test

PSYC 4900 - Senior Psychology Field Test Credit Hours: 0

Additional Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration Courses and PSYC Electives

Note: A concentration course may count toward EITHER the Major OR the BS requirement. 

Complete the following 3 courses:

• PSYC 3507 - Alcohol/Drugs/Behavior ** Credit Hours: (3)

• BIOL 1110 - General Biology I Credit Hours: (3)

• BIOL 1120 - General Biology II Credit Hours: (3)  

Choose 1 of the following Paths

         a. Thesis Path (complete the following 15 hours)

• PSYC 4505 - Independent Study in Behav Neurosci Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4506 - Direct Rsch Behav Neuro Credit Hours: (3)

• PSYC 4997 - Thesis/Behav Neurosci Credit Hours: (3) OR PSYC 4995 - Honors Thesis/Behav Neuro Credit Hours: (3) Thesis/Behav Neurosci - 3 hours

• • 6 Elective Hours in PSYC (3 hrs must be upper division)

     b.  Non-Thesis Path (note: 15 PSYC hours must be chosen as part of the following.)

    Note: PSYC electives must bring the total number of PSYC hours to 39. If 9 hours of PSYC courses are chosen from the group below, only 6 additional PSYC hours will be needed as electives. If BIOL or CHEM courses are chosen from the group below, additional PSYC elective hours must be taken.

• • Choose 3 of the following courses

    • BIOL 2010 - Anatomy/Physiology I** Credit Hours: (3)

    • BIOL 2020 - Anatomy/Physiology II** Credit Hours: (3)

    • BIOL 3072 - Genetics Credit Hours: (3)

    • BIOL 3130 - Cell Biology Credit Hours: (3)

    • BIOL 4635 - Neurobiology Credit Hours: (3)

    • CHEM 3310 - Foundations/Organic Chemistry Credit Hours: (3)

    • CHEM 3511 - Foundations/Bioorganic CHEM Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 3307 - Animal Behavior ** Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 4305 - Mind/Brain/Intelligence ** Credit Hours: (3)

    • PSYC 4503 - Independent Study in Psyc Credit Hours: (1-3)

•  6-15 Elective Hours in PSYC (No more than 3 hours may be lower division).

General Electives

           Elective hours must be taken to bring the total number of hours to 120.