Behavioural Neuroscience (BSc)

Hormones, steroids and neurotransmitters start pumping through our brains the minute we’re born. Chemicals like adrenalin, cortisol, serotonin and dopamine play key roles in our emotions. When you study behavioural neuroscience, you’ll investigate the links between the chemical changes in the brain, emotions and behaviour.

The Behavioural Neuroscience option is designed for psychology students who want to research the neurobiology of behaviour. As a student, you’ll follow a core psychology curriculum. You’ll also:

• Receive fundamental training in statistics and research methods
• Study the history of psychology
• Take courses in chemistry, biochemistry and biology

After graduation, you’ll have the skill and knowledge to pursue research, medicine or graduate studies in psychology.

A Bachelor of Science degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.

Concentrations

• Honours in Psychology/Behavioural Neuroscience (66 credits)
• Specialization in Psychology/Behavioural Neuroscience (60 credits)

Students applying directly to the honours program should list this as their first choice. If not admitted to honours, they will automatically be considered for the next highest program, i.e. specialization.

Course requirements

All students majoring in Psychology must complete the 33 credit core curriculum. 

Core Program: 33 credits

• 15 required credits in psychology, including Strategies of Inquiry in Psychology, Statistical Analysis, Modern Psychology in Historical Perspective, Fundamentals of Behavioural Neurobiology.
• 18 elective credits in psychology: nine credits from Fundamentals of Abnormal, Developmental and Social Psychology and Theories of Personality; nine credits from Motivation, Learning, Sensation and Perception, and Cognition.

Students in the honours program Behavioural Neuroscience must also complete several other required and elective courses.

Minimum cut-off averages

• Quebec CEGEP: 28
  (Honours: 31)
• High School: B overall, B in math / sciences
  (Honours: A- overall, A- in math / sciences)
• University Transfers (internal/external): B overall, B in math / sciences
  (Honours: B+ overall, B+ in math / sciences)
• Bacc. français: 13 overall, 13 in math / science
  (Honours: 15 overall, 15 in math / science)
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 29 overall, 4 math, 5 science
  (Honours: 33 overall, 5 math, 6 science)

Course requirements for admission

• CEGEP STUDENTS: Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra – Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism and Wave, Optics and Modern Physics – General Chemistry and Chemistry of Solutions – General Biology OR Natural Science DEC OR DEC intégré en sciences, lettres et arts.
• HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: one math and two of either biology, chemistry or physics
• BACC FRANÇAIS STUDENTS: Science programs require the completion of Série S (Sciences) Bacc. français
• IB STUDENTS: one math, one science (HL preferred but SL acceptable). SL grade requirement may vary. Science HL or SL acceptable.
• UNIVERSITY TRANSFERS: one math, one science (if courses are completed during previous studies, they may be considered as the basis of admission)

Honours programs: Students applying directly to an honours program should list it as their first choice. If not admitted to honours, they will automatically be considered for the next highest program (i.e. specialization or major).

Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.

Behavioural science alumni often pursue graduate studies. Others have established careers as psychologists, researchers or medical professionals.