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All Majors & Minors

Behavioral Neuroscience

Degree

Bachelor of Arts, Major, Minor

School/College

College of Arts & Sciences
Closeup picture of a hand with a silver pen pointing out one brain scan of a collage.

Behavioral neuroscience is the study of biological mechanisms underlying human and animal behavior. The field sits at the intersection of psychology and biology and addresses topics from the cellular/molecular level to the biological underpinnings of all aspects of behavior and psychological disorders.

What You’ll Learn and Do

Pursue a growing field of opportunity

Over the last decade, there has been a marked expansion in this field, with an increase in graduate programs and job opportunities for behavioral neuroscience majors. A major in behavioral neuroscience is an ideal preparation for such specialties as neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

Prepare to be specialized

Students planning to enter the health professions would find the behavioral neuroscience minor helpful as preparation for specialization in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, and more.

Utilize the minor for future studies

The behavioral neuroscience minor can be used by students earning a BS degree in biology, chemistry, or physics to prepare for graduate studies in many aspects of brain science, including developmental neuroscience and cellular/molecular neurobiology. The minor is also suitable for a student in any major who has a desire to learn more about the functioning of his or her own brain.

Further your degree

Fairfield's major in behavioral neuroscience provides excellent preparation for graduate school programs in behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and affective neuroscience, as well as in experimental psychology, neurophysiology, clinical neuropsychology, pharmacology, and many other developing areas in this rapidly growing discipline.

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Course Requirements

Behavioral Neuroscience Major

63 credits

Behavioral Neuroscience Minor

15 credits

Contact Us

Undergraduate Admission
admis@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4100

Resources for Student Success 

As students proceed through their academic journey, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Office of Career and Professional Development offers advising, counseling, programming, and experiential opportunities to help students discover their strengths, explore career paths, and build essential skills needed to succeed in their professional career.

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Fairfield supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students by providing various resources on campus including the Science Center, Writing Center, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and more.

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Experiential learning is a crucial component of the behavioral neuroscience minor and there are several opportunities for students to engage in these experiences.


Supervised Research
During this course, students work in the lab of a behavioral neuroscience faculty member and participate in data collection and data analysis of faculty projects. They receive one-on-one instruction on important topics such as research ethics, research design, statistical analyses, and dissemination of research. In addition, faculty members work with students as they prepare at least one significant writing project (e.g., research proposal, research report, or literature review).


Independent Research
During this course, students work closely with a behavioral neuroscience faculty member and conduct an individual research project designed by the student. Faculty members mentor all aspects of the study including design, implementation, and dissemination. Each student prepares a full-length research report with the faculty member’s guidance.
Students also have the opportunity to attend on-campus, regional, and national conferences to present their research.

Research

Our faculty are inspiring teachers and leaders in their fields of research. See below for specific areas of study that our behavioral neuroscience faculty are engaged in.

Harding Lab

Dr. Harding is currently conducting studies in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using rodents. She uses a rat model for ASD: administering the antiepileptic drug valproic acid to pregnant dams, and measuring the subsequent effects on social and reproductive behaviors in male and female offspring. Future studies will investigate treatments for autism including intranasal oxytocin during development.

Henkel Lab

Dr. Henkel's research explores memory and cognition across the adult lifespan, including young adults, healthy community dwelling older adults, and older adults experiencing cognitive decline. Her research program addresses how cognitive and neural processes give rise to both correct remembering as well as to errors and distortions in memory, and her recent work as part of the Interdisciplinary Health Science Scholars program examines the relation between declines in cognitive functioning and mental health and well being in nursing home residents.

McClure Lab

Dr. McClure's current research examines the efficacy of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for the treatment of neuropsychological and functional impairments of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. She is also using MRI to identify structural and functional predictors of response to CRT in this population.

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Get Started at Fairfield

Get In Touch

  • 1073 North Benson Road
    Fairfield, CT 06824

  • (203) 254-4000

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