Objectives & Outcomes
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the behavioral neuroscience program at St. Bonaventure University, graduates will:
- understand how neurons function as cells and how they communicate with other neurons
- understand how the brain integrates information from the rest of the body and from the external environment
- understand the neural basis of a range of psychological phenomena and behaviors
- be able to explain and critique the range of methodologies, animal models systems, experimental designs, and statistical tools used in 21st century behavioral neuroscience
- integrate their knowledge of biology and psychology in discussing and analyzing current topics in behavioral neuroscience
Learning Outcomes
The behavioral neuroscience major provides a strong foundation for a wide variety of careers and graduate school opportunities. This is due to the interdisciplinary nature of this major that allows students to gain expertise in the fields of psychology and biology.
Therefore, all of the career and graduate school outcomes associated with those single degrees are available to behavioral neuroscience majors. These include careers in human service and social services,research technicians, animal research technicians, gaming and fish workers, data analysts and outreach and education.
Postgraduate opportunities such as medicine, psychotherapy, research, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, physical and occupational therapy and physician assistants are all possible with a degree in behavioral neuroscience.
However, a degree in behavioral neuroscience allows a student who truly embraces both disciplines to prepare for the exciting future in the field of neuroscience.
In recent decades, neuroscience has been a very popular field of study among biological disciplines. Eventual careers in nonprofits, social policy, science writing, big data, or artificial intelligence are all possible with a degree in behavioral neuroscience.
Today's job market demands intellectual flexibility, with analytical skills as well as the ability to work together towards common goals. By ensuring a rigorous curriculum in both psychology and biology, as well as providing focus towards the brain in research contexts working with experts in the field, a degree in behavioral neuroscience is an exciting opportunity.