Integrative Neuroscience, BS

Location(s): Main Campus

The integrative neuroscience major offers students a firm basis in biology, psychology and chemistry, along with courses in a variety of other disciplines. The program provides the breadth and depth necessary for the interdisciplinary study of the biological bases of behavior. See our website for more information about the major requirements, research, honors and careers.

Due to significant overlap in course requirements, it is not possible to double-major in integrative neuroscience and: psychology, biology, global public health: future healthcare provider, or biochemistry. Majors in Integrative Neuroscience may not minor in Biology or Chemistry.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in declaring their major in integrative neuroscience should go to the Integrative Neuroscience Academic Advising Office (Science 4, Room 175) to meet with an academic advisor, review degree requirements, and discuss course planning before submitting the declaration of major form. Students can also schedule an appointment with an advisor through TimeTap. No specific coursework is required in order to declare the major, but in order to remain in the major, minimum grade requirements in core and elective courses must be met. Students accepting scholarships that require an immediate declaration of major should meet with the academic advisor when they arrive on campus.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the Integrative Neuroscience major:

A. Core Courses

PSYC 111 - General Psychology
PSYC 243 - Statistical Analysis & Design
PSYC 344 - Research Methods
PSYC 362 - Exp Psyc-Behavioral Neurosci
BIOL 113 - Intro to Cell & Molecular Biol
BIOL 114 - Intro to Organisms & Pops Biol
BIOL 115 - Intro Biology Lab
PSYC 327 - Evolution And Behavior OR *
BIOL 375 - Animal Behavior *
CHEM 104 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 105 - General Chemistry II
CHEM 106 - General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 231 - Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 332 - Organic Chemistry II
An approved Integrative Neuroscience Seminar** (1 approved PSYC 473 or BIOL 480 OR 2 approved BIOL 407 /483)

B. MATH/CHEM/PHYS Electives

Minimum 6-credit hours of electives in chemistry, math and physics selected from:

C. Related Subjects Electives

Minimum 4-credit hours of electives in related subjects, selected from:

E. Type B Biology Electives+

Minimum 4-credit hours or electives selected from:

BIOL 351 - Mechanisms Of Evolution
BIOL 371 - Zoology
BIOL 379 - Biology&Conservation of Birds
BIOL 437 - Biostatistics
BIOL 451 - Current Topics in EvoS
(Only two credits of BIOL 451 can count towards the major.)
BIOL 475 - Entomology

Note: The following courses could count as either biology Type A or B:

F. Psychology Electives

Minimum 6-credit hours or electives selected from:

PSYC 220 - Developmental Psychology
PSYC 223 - Behavior Disorders
PSYC 330 - Drugs And Behavior
PSYC 350 - Exp Psyc - Human Memory
PSYC 351 - Exp Psyc - Perception
PSYC 352 - Lab In Perception
PSYC 355 - Lab in AppliedBehaviorAnalysis
PSYC 356 - Exp Psyc - Learning
PSYC 357 - Lab In Learning
PSYC 358 - Exp Psyc - Cognition
PSYC 359 - Lab In Cognition
PSYC 360 - Exp Psyc-Psychotherapy:Mod/Met
PSYC 363 - Behavioral Neuroscience Lab
PSYC 385 - Exp Psyc- Psychological Tests
an additional approved 4 credit 473 seminar (only IN-approved seminars will fulfill this requirement)
or an Independent Study (PSYC 395/397/493/494/499) with psychology faculty.

Notes:

*Students may only receive credit for one of these courses in the major

**A list of approved seminars is made available prior to advanced registration each semester. If a student petitions through the Integrative Neuroscience Academic Advising office and receives approval in writing, an additional integrative neuroscience seminar (approved PSYC 473 or approved BIOL 407/480/483) can count toward the elective requirements, fulfilling the Biology Type A, Biology Type B, or Psychology Elective category.

***If students are not placed into MATH 224, then MATH 223 and, if needed, MATH 108 are also required.

****Independent study (BIOL 297/495/496/497/498) with biology faculty can count toward biology Type A pending approval through the advising office. An additional approved two-credit BIOL 407 or 480 or four-credit BIOL 483 seminar with biology faculty can also count toward biology Type A by petition through the advising office.

+(Only two credits of BIOL 451 can count towards the major.) Independent study (BIOL 297/495/496/497/498) with biology faculty can count toward biology Type B with the advisor’s approval. An additional approved two-credit BIOL 480 or four-credit BIOL 483 seminar with biology can also count toward biology Type B pending approval through the advising office.

Additional Information About the Program

Students must earn a C or higher in PSYC 111 and PSYC 243 and a C- or higher in all other core courses in order to remain in the major. A passing grade (D or better) is required for all other courses in the major. No courses for the major may be taken Pass/Fail, other than PSYC 397 Independent Study, which must be taken Pass/Fail.
Upper-level requirement: At least 16-credit hours of the major’s elective courses must be taken at the 300-level or above. Core courses cannot fulfill elective requirements. Up to eight credits of research with Integrative Neuroscience, Psychology, or Biology faculty can apply.
Laboratory requirement: Among the electives, three courses (2- to 4-credit hours each) at the 200-level or above must be taken that are either laboratory courses or courses that contain a weekly laboratory or field experience. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 335), laboratory courses in the biology, and approved psychology lab electives meet this requirement. See academic advisor for a list of approved lab courses.
Residency Requirement: Students must take at least eight courses in the major, including five upper-level courses at Binghamton University. The following courses must be taken in residency: PSYC 344, PSYC 362, the required upper-level integrative neuroscience seminar, one laboratory course, and either PSYC 327 or BIOL 375.

For more information on the Integrative Neuroscience BS program, please refer to the Integrative Neuroscience website. To apply to the Integrative Neuroscience BS program, please visit the University Admissions website.