Studying the behavior of living creatures has long been a matter of observation. Much of the human brain and its functions have yet to be uncovered. But significant advancements in biology and psychology provide new insights to how the brain thinks, reasons, formulates, and processes.
The Behavioral Neuroscience program of Carlow University is a collaboration between the biology and psychology departments to offer students a strong foundation in behavioral psychology with knowledge of the biological and physiological mechanisms that drive the nervous system. There are two different paths students can take based on their interests, and both employ hands-on, high impact educational practices (labs, internships, field work, or clinical experience) and close relationships with nearby research centers.
We offer two distinct paths in the behavioral neuroscience discipline:
Neuropsychology Concentration
If you want to be a counselor or behaviorist, but you would also like to learn more about the biological sciences, then the Neuropsychology Concentration might be for you. This track prepares students to work in the areas of neuropsychology and clinical psychology, where neuropsychological assessments are a growing and important aspect of clinical work. Carlow students studying in this area have a strong advantage over students in other neuroscience programs, because it is rare for undergraduates to have access to courses in neuropsychology, much less to learn under scholar-practitioners who regularly employ neuropsychological testing as part of their clinical practices.
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience with Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) Concentration
Carlow University and UPMC's Procirca are collaborating to offer the first of its kind Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience with Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) concentration. IONM is a medical procedure utilized during surgeries that could affect or damage the nervous system. Trained surgical neurophysiologists work as a team member in operating room to prevent injuries that would affect the lives and outcomes of patients. Coursework at Carlow University in neuroscience disciplines provides the necessary foundation in the structure and function of the nervous system, while training with UPMC Procirca's Center for Clinical Neurophysiology allows students to have hands-on clinical training and instruction in IONM. Click here to learn all about it.
Thinking about med school? Becoming a dentist? How about a career in pharmacy? Carlow’s behavioral neuroscience major is great place to start, and our agreement with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine makes it even easier.
Behavioral Neuroscience Major
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Locations: Main Oakland Campus
Courses
BIO 250: Genetics
Investigate the maintenance, inheritance, transfer, and expression of genetic information at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and population levels. You will also study Mendelian genetics, bacterial genetics, the structure and function of chromosomes and genes, recombination and mutation, the control of gene expression, and population genetics. This course also provides a brief introduction to genetic engineering and biotechnology. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour lab per week.
PY 280: Cognitive Psychology
Explore the basic concepts and contemporary topics in cognitive psychology. You will cover perception, attention, pattern recognition, consciousness, memory, the representation of knowledge, language, cognitive development, thinking, artificial intelligence, and more. Traditionally, cognitive psychologists have studied these topics without full consideration of the biological mechanisms underlying each of these areas. In this course we will also examine the current research from within the area of cognitive neuroscience for a better understanding of the role these biological mechanisms play in cognition.
note: this is just a small sample of the variety of classes you'll be taking. for more details about these classes and more, please visit the Course Catalog section of our website.
If you'd like to learn more about our Behavioral Neuroscience programs, let us know!