Major

Brain, Behavior, and Cognition Major

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Department/Program
Brain, Behavior, and Cognition

Total credit requirements for a Brain, Behavior, and Cognition major: 53-59 (19 in Biology, 18 in Psychology, 4 in BBAC, and 13-18 in supporting Science and Interdisciplinary courses)

  • Required Biology Courses
    • Biology 101, 101L, 102, and 102L
    • 3-4 credits in Biology 320, 323, or a Biology special topic in neuroscience at the 200- or 300-level
      • Note 300-level Biology courses require completion of a 200-level course as a prerequisite; Biology 320 requires Biology 205 as a prerequisite.
    • 8 additional credits chosen from:
      • An additional neurobiology course (Biology 320, 323, or 200-to-300-level Biology special topic in neuroscience)
      • Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology: Biology 205, 206, 224, 227, 319, and 329
      • Anatomy and Physiology: Biology 209, 221, 222, and 315
      • Other Biology courses as noted in the course description or approved by the Program Director
  • Required Psychology Courses
    • Psychology 110
    • 8 credits chosen from Psychology 215, 225, 229, and 290
    • 4 additional credits chosen from:
      • Clinical/Personality foundation area: Psychology 216, 260, or 270
      • Developmental foundation area: Psychology 218, 219, or 240
      • Psychology 217 or 220 (note Psychology 220 requires instructor consent and Psychology 210 as a prerequisite)
    • 3 credits chosen from the following 300-level seminars: Psychology 309, 310, 315, 317, 318, 335, 339, or 349; or another Psychology seminar as approved by the Program director
  • Required Brain, Behavior, and Cognition Courses
    • 3 credits of BBAC 490 or 498
    • BBAC 499
  • Required Supporting Science Courses
    • 3-4 credits of statistics, chosen from:
      • Mathematics 128 or 247
      • Psychology 210
      • Economics 227
    • Chemistry 125, 126, 135, and 136; or 140
      • Students interested in going to graduate school for neuroscience are recommended to also take Chemistry 245.
  • Required Interdisciplinary Courses
    • 6 additional credits, chosen from any of the following:
      • Anthropology 217, 228, 358, and 360
      • Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology 325, 326, and 430
      • Computer Science 167, 215, and 267
      • Economics 215 and 325
      • Philosophy 200, 210, 217, 261, 262, 315, and 332
      • Rhetoric, Writing, and Public Discourse 225 and 325
      • Other courses as approved by the Program Director
  • Senior Requirements
    • BBAC 490 or 498; and 499
    • Senior assessment
      • Research-based thesis
      • Oral examination
  • Honors
    • Students do not apply for admission to candidacy for honors.
    • Accumulated at least 87 credits
    • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
    • Major GPA of at least 3.500
    • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis.
    • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
    • Chair of the program will notify the Registrar of students who are candidates for honors no later than the beginning of Week 12.
    • An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
  • Notes
    • No more than 4 credits in independent study may be applied toward the major.
    • No courses may be taken P-D-F after declaration.
Total Credits
53-59