Several undergraduate majors would be suitable preparation for a career in neuroscience. Among these, psychology would be a good choice for those interested in behavioral neuroscience. Behavioral neuroscientists holding doctoral degrees participate in various professional and scientific endeavors. For instance, behavioral neuroscientists may administer and interpret various tests of brain functions in clinical settings. Neuroscientists of various types also hold faculty positions and do research in departments of chemistry, biology, anatomy, psychology, genetics, psychiatry, pharmacology, and neuroscience at universities, medical schools, veterinary schools, and research institutions (e.g. National Institutes of Mental Health).

Neuroscience is one of the most exciting professional or scientific disciplines extant. Many have hailed the brain as the last major scientific frontier. Probing this frontier promises be challenging and rewarding. If you are interested in a career in neuroscience you should seek out and talk with one of the neuroscientists on the faculty in Psychology at Baylor. Keep in mind that there are important science prerequisites no matter what you area of interest in neuroscience. The Society for Neuroscience publishes a Guide to Graduate Programs in Neuroscience. This guide provides information on programs and their requirements. Society of Neuroscience members in the Department are mailed a new guide each you. Ask to see one.

You are encouraged to become a student member of the Society for Neuroscience. These organizations provide forums for dissemination of neuroscience research and serve as a source of professional collegiality for neuroscientists.

Courses of Special Interest to Psychology Majors Planning to Pursue a Postgraduate Degree in Neuroscience:

Helpful Psychology Courses Beyond Basic Degree Requirements:

Behavioral Neuroscience (4430)

Psychology of Perception (3423)

Psycho logy of Learning (3326)

Drugs and Behavior (3355)

Readings in Behavioral Neuroscience (4317)

Biological Basis of Mental Disorders (3419)

Electrophysiology of the Human Brain (4313)

Advanced Statistics (4300)

Independent Research in Psychology (4V96)

Psychopathology (3330)

Lifespan Human Development (3350)

Essential Courses in Other Departments:

Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 3331 & 3332)

Biochemistry (Chemistry 4341; Biology 4307)

Biology (1305, 1306)

Animal Physiology (Biology 3422)

Genetics (Biology 2306)

Helpful Courses in Other Departments:

Human Biochemistry (Chemistry 4342)

Immunology (Biology 4301)

Histology (Biology 4426)

Human Genetics (Biology 3330)

Behavior Genetics (Biology 4330)

Comparative Chordate Anatomy (Biology 3429)

Electron Microscopy (Biology 4402)

Topics in Evolution (Biology 4365)

Medical Anthropology (Anthropology 2325)

Epidemiology (Anthropology 4330)