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  • Behavioral Neuroscience and Philosophy, BS

Behavioral Neuroscience and Philosophy, BS

2023-2024 Edition

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        • Behavioral Neuroscience, BS
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The behavioral neuroscience and philosophy combined degree program engages students in the interdisciplinary study across the biology, psychology, and philosophy departments. The major provides rigorous training in both disciplines with a specific focus on understanding seminal questions concerning human nature and the mind. Courses in the basic sciences will lay a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and data analytics that are relevant to neuroscience. In behavioral neuroscience core courses, students will examine the structure and function of the human nervous system in order to explore brain mechanisms that give rise to behavioral functions, including cognitive processes, as well as pathological states. In philosophy courses, successful students will develop core analytics skills, including ethical reasoning; learn to recognize and question deep theoretical assumptions at the heart of scientific theories and practice; and explore the social and ethical dimensions of neuroscience and scientific practice more broadly. The fields of behavioral neuroscience and philosophy are further bridged with course work that is designed to enable students to apply neuroscientific concepts to philosophical, moral, and ethical questions.

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

Universitywide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Behavioral Neuroscience Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Behavioral Neuroscience Overview
BNSC 1000Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern 11
EESC 2000Professional Development for Co-op 21
COS Foundations
BIOL 1107
and BIOL 1108
Foundations of Biology
and Lab for BIOL 1107
5
BIOL 2299Inquiries in Biological Sciences4
BIOL 2301
and BIOL 2302
Genetics and Molecular Biology
and Lab for BIOL 2301
5
CHEM 1161
and CHEM 1162
General Chemistry for Science Majors
and Lab for CHEM 1161
5
CHEM 2311
and CHEM 2312
Organic Chemistry 1
and Lab for CHEM 2311
5
PSYC 1101Foundations of Psychology4
Mathematics Foundation
MATH 1251Calculus and Differential Equations for Biology 14
or MATH 1341 Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering
Statistics Foundation
Complete one of the following. Students who receive transfer credit for the Advanced Placement Statistics exam may complete the 1 SH PSYC 2315 course (requires department permission).4-5
ENVR 2500
and ENVR 2501
Biostatistics
and Lab for ENVR 2500
PSYC 2320
Statistics in Psychological Research
Behavioral Neuroscience Foundation
PSYC 3200Clinical Neuroanatomy4
PSYC 3458Biological Psychology4
Psychology Elective
Complete one of the following:4
PSYC 1214
The Moral Mind: The Science Underlying Ethical Decision-Making and Virtuous Character
PSYC 3404
Developmental Psychology
PSYC 3406
Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
PSYC 3450
Learning and Motivation
PSYC 3451
Learning Principles and Behavior Analysis
PSYC 3452
Sensation and Perception
PSYC 3464
Psychology of Language
PSYC 3466
Cognition
PSYC 4524
Cognitive Development
Behavioral Neuroscience Core Courses
Complete two of the following:8
BIOL 3415
Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience
BIOL 3601
Neural Systems and Behavior
BIOL 3605
Developmental Neurobiology
BIOL 4705
Neurobiology of Cognitive Decline
BIOL 5595
Cell and Molecular Neuroscience
BIOL 5601
Multidisciplinary Approaches in Motor Control
PSYC 3506
Neuropsychology of Fear
PSYC 3508
Behavioral Endocrinology
PSYC 3510
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
PSYC 4510
Psychopharmacology
PSYC 4512
Neuropsychology
PSYC 4514
Clinical Neuroscience
PSYC 4570
Behavioral Genetics
Upper-Division Elective
Complete one course that is not already taken as long as pre-requisites have been met:4
BNSC 4970 or higher
BIOL 3403 or higher
PSYC 3404 or higher
1

Students entering through CSSH may take Philosophy at Northeastern (PHIL 1000).

2

Students entering through CSSH may take Professional Development for Co-op (EESH 2000).

Philosophy Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Philosophy Foundation
PHIL 1105Science and Pseudoscience4
or PHIL 3050 Information and Uncertainty
PHIL 1115Introduction to Logic4
PHIL 1145Technology and Human Values4
PHIL 2325Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought4
or POLS 2325 Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought
PHIL 2330Modern Philosophy4
Philosophy Restricted Electives
Complete eight credits from the following list, not taken to fulfill other requirements:8
PHIL 3305
Philosophy of Emotions
PHIL 3360
Scientific Approaches to Philosophy
PHIL 3435
Moral Philosophy
PHIL 4500
Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 4510
Philosophy of Science
PHIL 4535
Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 4555
Philosophy of Biology
Additional Electives
Complete two additional PHIL courses, not taken to fulfill other requirements.8

Integrative Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
BIOL 4709Neurobiology of Learning and Memory4
or BIOL 5587 Comparative Neurobiology
PHIL 4535Philosophy of Mind4
or PHIL 4555 Philosophy of Biology

Writing Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
College Writing
ENGW 1111First-Year Writing4
or ENGW 1102 First-Year Writing for Multilingual Writers
Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
ENGW 3307Advanced Writing in the Sciences4
or ENGW 3308 Advanced Writing in the Social Sciences
or ENGW 3309 Advanced Writing in the Humanities
or ENGW 3315 Interdisciplinary Advanced Writing in the Disciplines

Required General Electives

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete 16 credits of general electives.16

Behavioral Neuroscience GPA Requirement

A minimum 2.000 GPA in all behavioral neuroscience courses is required.

Major Credit Hour Requirement

96 total semester hours required in major.

Program Requirement

130 total semester hours required

Sample Plans of Study

Five Years, Three Co-ops

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
BIOL 1107
and BIOL 1108
5BIOL 22994VacationVacation
BNSC 10001ENGW 11114  
CHEM 1161
and CHEM 1162
and CHEM 1163
5MATH 12514  
PHIL 11454PSYC 34584  
PSYC 11014   
 19 16 0 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
BIOL 2301
and BIOL 2302
5CHEM 2311
and CHEM 2312
5VacationCo-op
PHIL 11054EESC 20001  
PHIL 11154PHIL 23304  
PSYC 32004PSYC 23204  
 PHIL restricted elective4  
 17 18 0 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-opBNS core course4PHIL 23254Co-op
 PHIL restricted elective4General elective4 
 PSYC elective4  
 General elective4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-opBIOL 4709 or 55874VacationCo-op
 BNS core course4 ENGW 3315 (online)4
 PHIL elective4  
 General elective4  
 0 16 0 4
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-opPHIL 4535 or 45554  
 BNS upper-level elective4  
 PHIL elective4  
 General elective4  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 130

Four Years, Two Co-ops

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
BIOL 1107
and BIOL 1108
5BIOL 22994PHIL 23254Vacation
BNSC 10001ENGW 11114PSYC elective4 
CHEM 1161
and CHEM 1162
and CHEM 1163
5MATH 12514  
PHIL 11454PSYC 34584  
PSYC 11014   
 19 16 8 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
BIOL 2301
and BIOL 2302
5CHEM 2311
and CHEM 2312
5PSYC 23204Co-op
PHIL 11154EESC 20001General elective4 
PHIL 11054PHIL 23304  
PSYC 32004PHIL restricted elective4  
 BNS core course4  
 17 18 8 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-opBNS core course4PHIL elective4Co-op
 PHIL restricted elective4General elective4ENGW 3315 (online)4
 PHIL elective4  
 General elective4  
 0 16 8 4
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-opBIOL 4709 or 55874  
 PHIL 4535 or 45554  
 BNS upper-level elective4  
 General elective4  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 130
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