BS Behavioral Neuroscience

Potential Career Paths

The BS-BN is an option for students considering:

• pre-med, pre-nursing, pre-health science tracks
• careers in government or intelligence
• neuroscience and/or careers in brain sciences
• careers in biotechnology and laboratory-based work
• careers in higher education
• careers in neuromodeling, artificial intelligence, brain imaging, robotics, virtual reality or human-brain interface
• graduate degrees in psychology, neuroscience, data sciences, epidemiology, statistics, public health or health care
• professional or physician-scientist careers in medicine, psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics, developmental and neurodegenerative disorders, ophthalmology, audiology, cognitive aging or age-related dementias
• careers in patent law, health care or mental health care law.

Major Checklist Course Plan 

The program checklist can be used to keep track of prerequisites and your progress toward completing the requirements of the major.

• BS-Behavioral Neuroscience Course Checklist

​The 4 year sample plan can be used as a sample guide to complete the major and general BS requirements (120 credits hours total).

• 4 year sample plan of study

Requirements for the BS-BN Major

See Undergraduate Academic Record for official requirements.  

Students must fulfill at least 55 credits of required coursework to earn the BS degree in Behavioral Neuroscience, including 5 prerequisite courses; 5 Core courses; an Advanced Research course; two Advanced Seminars; 2 electives; and 3 science foundation courses.  At least C grade must be obtained for all courses to fulfill the degree requirements.  

Students must fulfill at least 55 credits of required coursework to earn the BS degree in Behavioral Neuroscience, including 5 prerequisite courses; 5 Core courses; an Advanced Research course; two Advanced Seminars; 2 electives; and 3 science foundation courses.  At least C grade must be obtained for all courses to fulfill the degree requirements.  

PREREQUISITES: 16 CREDIT HOURS (5 COURSES)

Required, in any order, to declare the BS (equivalent AP, IB and transfer courses may be approved)

• PSYC 2005: Research Methods & Data Analysis I
• ONE of the following:
  • STAT 1601: Intro to Data Science with R
  • PSYC 3310: RM - R Applications in Psychology
• ONE of the following:
  • PSYC 2200: Survey of Neural Basis of Behavior
  • PSYC 3200: Fundamentals of Neuroscience
  • BIOL 3050: Introduction to Neurobiology
• BIOL 2100: Introduction to Biology with Lab: Cell Biology & Genetics
• ONE of the following:
  • APMA 1090: Single Variable Calculus I
  • MATH 1210: A Survey of Calculus I
  • MATH 1310: Calculus I

REQUIRED CORE COURSES: 16 CREDIT HOURS (5 COURSES)

Students must complete each of the following:

• PSYC 3006 - Research Methods and Data Analysis II Credits: 4
• PSYC 3160 - Cognitive Neuroscience Credits: 3
• PSYC 3200 - Fundamentals of Neuroscience Credits: 3
• PSYC 3235 - Introduction to Epigenetics Credits: 3
• PSYC 3250 - Forum in Ethical and Inclusive Science: 3 - or - PSYC 3260 Hidden Figures: Brain Science Through Diversity

ADVANCED RESEARCH REQUIREMENT: 3 CREDIT HOURS (1 COURSE)

Students are required to take 3 credit hours of coursework in advanced research from the following:

• PSYC 3210 - RM: Psychobiology Laboratory Credits: 3
• PSYC 4260 - RM: Genetic and Epigenetic Research in Behavior Credits: 3
• PSYC 4420 - RM: Brain Mapping with MRI Credits: 3
• PSYC 4215 - RM: Computational Methods in Psychology and Neuroscience Credits: 3
• PSYC 5270 - RM: Computational Neuroscience Credits: 3

ADVANCED TOPICS REQUIREMENTS: 6 CREDIT HOURS (2 COURSES)

Students are required to take two courses (6 credit hours) in advanced topics in behavioral neuroscience from the following: 

• PSYC 3100  Learning and the Neuroscience of Behavior Credits: 3
• PSYC 3240  Animal Minds Credits: 3
• PSYC 4200  Neural Mechanisms of Behavior Credits: 3
• NESC4265 Developmental Neurobiology Credits: 3
• PSYC 4265 Functional Neuroanatomy
• PSYC 5280 Neuropsychopharmacology
• NESC 4245 Neuroscience through the Nobels  
• PSYC 4250 Brain Systems Involved in Neurobiology of Memory

PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS REQUIREMENT: 3 CREDIT HOURS (1 COURSE)

Students are required to take an additional 3 credit hours of coursework in psychological science from the following:

• PSYC 1010 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 2150 - Introduction to Cognition Credits: 3
• PSYC 2410 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 2600 - Introduction to Social Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 2700 - Introduction to Child Psychology Credits: 3

SCIENCE FOUNDATION REQUIREMENT: 6 CREDIT HOURS (2 COURSES)

Students are required to complete two courses (6 credit hours) of foundational scientific coursework from the following:

• ASTR 2110 - Introduction to Astrophysics I Credits: 3,  or any other ASTR course above 2110
• BIOL 2200 - Introduction to Biology w/Laboratory: Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Credits: 4, or any other BIOL course above 2200
• CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I Credits: 3, or  any other CHEM course above 1410
• CS 1110 - Introduction to Programming Credits: 3 , or any other CS course above 2200
• EVSC 1010 - Introduction to Environmental Sciences Credits: 3, any other EVSC course above 1010
• MATH 2310 - Calculus III Credits: 4, or any other MATH course above 2310
• PHYS 1425 - Introductory Physics 1 for Engineers Credits: 3, or any other  PHYS course above 1425
• STAT 1100 - Chance: An Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3, or any other STAT course above 1100
• STAT 1120 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3
• STAT 2020 - Statistics for Biologists Credits: 4

ELECTIVES: AT LEAST 6 CREDIT HOURS (2 COURSES)

Students must complete two of the following courses.  Student’s who did not take a 4000-level Advanced Topics/Research course must select at least one 4000-level elective. 

Any course listed under Advanced Research or Advanced Topics and not used for satisfying those requirements may count as an elective.

Note: this list may not include all elective options, as new courses are always being added to the rotation:

• PSYC 3559 - New Course in Psychology Credits: 1 to 4
  Approved Topic: How to Build a Healthy Human Brain
• PSYC 4155 - Autism: From Neurons to Neighborhoods Credits: 3
• PSYC 4255 - Behavioral Epigenetics Credits: 3
• PSYC 4290 - Memory Distortions Credits: 3
• PSYC 4607 - Uniquely Human Social Cognition Credits: 3
• PSYC 4290 Memory Distortions  
• PSYC 5710 Machine Learning and Data Mining

• PSYC 5326 Neuroscience of Social Relationships

   

• Check the website each year for newly added courses 

Planning Major requirements along with College Curriculum Requirements

Receiving a Bachelor degree at UVA requires 55 additional credits as College of Arts and Sciences General Education requirements, as posted here: https://gened.as.virginia.edu/requirements

Note that both the Disciplines and the Disciplines + Pathways provide flexibility for students who are enrolled in a Bachelor of Science major. In addition, most of the prerequisite courses for declaring the BS and the science foundation requirements also fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences general education requirements. Students who are considering to declare BS in Behavioral Neuroscience as their major are encouraged to seek advising early on. Advising Open Office Hours will be available every semester before each enrollment period. Or, email:  behavneuroadvising@virginia.edu.

View the BS Behavioral Neuroscience  - 4 year sample plan of study

Is it feasible to complete this major along with pre-med requirements? 

Yes. 

The BS-BN is designed with the newly-revised requirements of A&S general education curriculum in mind. The A&S requirements provide more flexibility for students pursuing a BS degree, so, with careful planning, students can comfortably complete the BS-BN prerequisites in their first three semesters. Transfer students may count 12 transferred credits toward the BS-BN.

Receiving a Bachelor degree at UVA requires 55 additional credits as College of Arts and Sciences General Education requirements. Note that both the Disciplines and the Disciplines + Pathways provide flexibility for students who are enrolled in a Bachelor of Science major. In addition, most of the prerequisite courses for declaring the BS and the science foundation requirements also fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences general education requirements. Students who are considering declaring BS in Behavioral Neuroscience as their major are encouraged to seek advising early on. Advising open houses will be available every semester before each enrollment period. The BS-BN also provides flexibility for students to refine their BS focus as their career interests evolve. With courses from diverse science disciplines counting toward the degree requirements, students can tailor the program to their particular interests and strengths.

View the BS Behavioral Neuroscience  - 4 year sample plan of study

Visit UVA Pre-Heath Advising for guidance on pre-requisite course requirements for medical programs.

Spring 2027 BS-BN Course Offerings

Prerequisites:

• PSYC 2005 – Research Methods and Data Analysis I
• STAT 1601 – Introduction to Data Science with R
• PSYC 2200 – Survey of Neural Basis of Behavior
• BIOL 2100 – Introduction to Biology with Lab

Core Courses:

• PSYC 3006 – Research Methods and Data Analysis II 
• PSYC 3160 – Cognitive Neuroscience 
• PSYC 3250 – Forum in Ethical and Inclusive Science 
• BIOL 3050 – Introduction to Neurobiology

Advanced Research:

• NESC 4030 – The Study of Neuroscience from Molecules to Minds 
• PSYC 5500-002 – Applications of Brain Mapping with MRI

Advanced Topics:

• PSYC 4100 – Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior 
• PSYC 4200 – Neural Mechanisms of Behavior 
• PSYC 4500-001 – Behavioral Endocrinology

Restricted Electives:

• PSYC 3310 – RM: R Applications in Psychology
• PSYC 4607 – Social Minds
• PSYC 5323 – RM: R in Psychology 

Note: All courses listed under Advanced Research and Advanced Topics not fulfilling those requirements can be taken as electives.

Psychological Science Foundations:

• PSYC 2150 – Introduction to Cognition
• PSYC 2600 – Introduction to Social Psychology

• PSYC 2700 – Introduction to Child Psychology

J-Term 2027 BS-BN Course Offerings

Advanced Research:

• PSYC 4260 – RM: Genetic and Epigenetic Research 
• PSYC 4350 – RM: Research Methods in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Advanced Topics:

• PSYC 3100 – Learning and the Neuroscience of Behavior 
• PSYC 4500 – The Neuroscience of Social Relationships

Restricted Electives:

• PSYC 2500 – Psychology of Misinformation 
• PSYC 3500-001 – Neuroscience of Contemplative Practices

• PSYC 4559 – Translational Methods in Brain Aging

STEP 1: PREREQUISITES

In order to declare the BS-Behavioral Neuroscience major, students must first complete five prerequisite courses, each with above a C-:

• PSYC 2005: Research Methods & Data Analysis I
• ONE of the following:
  • STAT 1601: Intro to Data Science with R
  • PSYC 3310: RM - R Applications in Psychology
• ONE of the following:
  • PSYC 2200: Survey of Neural Basis of Behavior
  • PSYC 3200: Fundamentals of Neuroscience
  • BIOL 3050: Introduction to Neurobiology
• BIOL 2100: Introduction to Biology with Lab: Cell Biology & Genetics
• ONE of the following:
  • APMA 1090: Single Variable Calculus I
  • MATH 1210: A Survey of Calculus I
  • MATH 1310: Calculus I

STEP 2: COURSE CHECKLIST

After completing the prerequisite courses, download a copy of the BS-Behavioral Neuroscience Course Checklist. Fill in this sheet with the semesters you plan to complete each requirement (example: PSYC 3006 - Spring 2027).

This should just be a best estimate – it is okay if your plan changes down the road.

STEP 3. TRANSCRIPT

Along with your checklist, be sure to download a PDF copy of your Unofficial Transcript.

STEP 4. SUBMIT FORM AND DOCUMENTS (DECLARE OR DEFER)

Once your grades for each prerequisite course have been processed on your transcript, and you have obtained PDF copies of your completed course checklist and unofficial transcript, you are all set to submit a declaration form.

Submit your form using the Declare a Major or Minor form on the College website.  Instructions for logging in and accessing the form can be found at the above link.  Be sure to select the correct major so that we receive your declaration. 

Before submitting your form through AirTable, you MUST send PDF copies of your completed course checklist and unofficial transcript to psych-declare@virginia.edu. These should be attached as downloadable PDF files - not links to a virtual copy or shared drive.

**FAILURE TO PROVIDE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR FORM BEING DECLINED**

Once you have submitted your form and documents, you can expect an email response within 10 business days.

DON'T FORGET...

Send your documents to psych-declare@virginia.edu:

• BS-Behavioral Neuroscience Course Checklist (PDF)

• Unofficial Transcript (PDF)

   

Having trouble using the form?  Email CollegeForms@virginia.edu with as much information as possible about your specific problem.

Haven’t heard back from us? Thank you for your patience! If your declaration is still in progress but you haven’t received an email from us in the time window mentioned above, feel free to contact us at psych-declare@virginia.edu, including your full name, SIS ID, and the major/minor you are trying to declare.

DEFER:

If you need to complete prerequisite courses past your fourth-semester, you are eligible to defer the major by enrolling in any remaining prerequisite courses during your fifth-semester.

• Use the Defer Declaring a Major form if you are at the end of your second year and are missing prerequisite courses that you plan to take during your fifth-semester. The form can be accessed here: https://college.as.virginia.edu/forms
• Make sure to designate the Declaration of Major Contact (DMC) as:
  • Name: Justin Woodward
  • Email:  gxw7az@virginia.edu 

​Complete the form and be sure to list out the prerequisite courses you are currently taking.

Be sure to attach your completed course checklist and unofficial transcript.

DON'T FORGET...

Include:

• BS-Behavioral Neuroscience Course Checklist (PDF)
• Unofficial Transcript (PDF)

*After deferring, your major will remain in SIS as "Arts & Sciences Undeclared" until you complete the remaining prerequisite courses and officially declare the major.*

*Once your grades for your remaining prerequisite courses are processed on your transcript, you will be able to submit a declaration form to officially declare the major, as long as you earn above a C- in each course. Fall grades are typically processed in December, while Spring grades are typically processed in May.*

STEP 5: SIGN UP FOR NOTIFICATIONS

Welcome to the major!

Join the BS-Behavioral Neuroscience email list  to receive all announcements for the major.

Fall 2026 BS-BN Course Selection

Prerequisites:

PSYC 2005        Research Methods and Data Analysis I

PSYC 2200        A Survey of the Neural Basis of Behavior

PSYC 3200        Fundamentals of Neuroscience

BIOL 3050          Introduction to Neurobiology

STAT 1601         Introduction to Data Science with R

Core Courses:

PSYC 3006        Research Methods and Data Analysis II

PSYC 3160        Cognitive Neuroscience

PSYC 3200        Fundamentals of Neuroscience

PSYC 3235        Introduction to Epigenetics

BIOL 3050          Introduction to Neurobiology

Advanced Research:

NESC 4030       The Study of Neuroscience from Molecules to Minds

PSYC 4420        RM: Brain Mapping with MRI

Advanced Topics:

PSYC 3100        Learning and the Neuroscience of Behavior

PSYC 4100        Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior

Restricted Electives*: 

PSYC 3310            RM: R Applications in Psychology

NESC 4265            Developmental Neurobiology

BIOL 4190              Biological Clocks

*Courses that are not used toward Advanced Research or Topics requirement.

Psychological Science Foundations

PSYC 2150        Introduction to Cognition

PSYC 2410        Abnormal Psychology

PSYC 2600        Introduction to Social Psychology

PSYC2700         Introduction to Child Psychology

PSYC 4970        Distinguished Major Thesis II

Summer 2026 BS-BN Course Selection

Prerequisites:

• PSYC 2005 - Research Methods and Data Analysis I
• PSYC 2200 - A Survey of the Neural Basis of Behaviors

Core Courses:

• PSYC 3006 - Research Methods and Data Analysis II

Psychological Science Foundations:

• PSYC 2150 - Introduction to Cognition
• PSYC 2600 - Introduction to Social Psychology

Advanced Topics:

• PSYC 3240 - Animal Minds
• PSYC 3326 - Neuroscience of Social Relationships

Restricted Electives:

• PSYC 4100 - Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions, and Motivation of Functional Behavior

Spring and J-term 2026 BS-BN Course Selection

SPRING 2025

Prerequisites:

• PSYC 2005 – Research Methods and Data Analysis I
• PSYC 2200 – A Survey of the Neural Basis of Behavior
• PSYC 3200 – Fundamentals of Neuroscience
• PSYC 3310 – RM: R Applications in Psychology

Core Courses:

• PSYC 3006 – Research Methods and Data Analysis II
• PSYC 3160 – Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSYC 3250* – Forum in Ethical and Inclusive Science
  • *Restricted to 4th-year BS-BN students
• PSYC 3200 – Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Advanced Research:

• NESC 4030 – The Study of Neuroscience from Molecules to Minds
• PSYC 5270 – Computational Neuroscience

Advanced Topics:

• PSYC 4100 – Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior
• PSYC 4200 – Neural Mechanisms of Behavior
• PSYC 5326 – Neuroscience of Social Relationships
• PSYC 5500-001 – Affective Neuroscience

Restricted Electives:*

• PSYC 3420 – Nature Nurture Debate
• PSYC 4500-006 – Human Genetics: Concepts, Cases, and Controversies
• PSYC 5323 – RM: R in Psychology

*Courses that are not used toward Advanced Topics requirement.

Psychological Science Foundations

• PSYC 2410 – Abnormal Psychology
• PSYC 2600 – Introduction to Social Psychology
• PSYC 2700 – Introduction to Child Psychology
• PSYC 4980 – Distinguished Major Thesis II

J-TERM 2026

• PSYC 3210 – RM: Psychobiology Lab
• PSYC 4100 – Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior
• PSYC 4260 – Genetic and Epigenetic Research in Behavior
• PSYC 5326 – Neuroscience of Social Relationships

Fall and Summer 2025 BS-BN Course Selection

FALL 2025

• Prerequisites
  • PSYC 2005 – Research Methods and Data Analysis I
  • STAT 1601 – Introduction to Data Science with R
  • MATH 1190/1210/1310 – Calculus
  • BIOL 2100 – Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics
  • PSYC 2200 – A Survey of the Neural Basis of Behavior
  • BIOL 3050 – Introduction to Neurobiology (serves as alternative to PSYC 3200)
• Core Courses
  • PSYC 3006 – Research Methods and Data Analysis II
  • PSYC 3160 – Cognitive Neuroscience
  • PSYC 3235 – Introduction to Epigenetics
  • BIOL 3050 – Introduction to Neurobiology
• Advanced Research
  • PSYC 4260 – RM: Genetic and Epigenetic Research in Behavior
  • NESC 3450 – The Study of Neuroscience from Molecules to Minds
  • PSYC 5500-003 – Current Topics in Psychology - Practica in Community Psych and Prevention Science (RM)
• Advanced Topics
  • PSYC 3100 – Learning and the Neuroscience of Behavior
  • PSYC 3240 – Animal Minds
  • PSYC 4100 – Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior
  • NESC 4265 – Developmental Neurobiology
  • PSYC 5280 – Neuropsychopharmacology
• Restricted Electives
  • PSYC 4755 – Social Neuroscience
  • PSYC 5500-001 – Current Topics in Psychology - Affective Neuroscience

                *Courses that are not used toward Advanced Topics requirement.*

• Psychological Science Foundations
  • PSYC 2410 – Abnormal Psychology
  • PSYC 2600 – Introduction to Social Psychology
  • PSYC 2700 – Introduction to Child Psychology
  • PSYC 4970 – Distinguished Major Thesis I

SUMMER 2025

• Session I: May 19th – June 14th
  • PSYC 2005 – Research Methods & Data Analysis I *    [Prerequisite]
  • PSYC 2200 – Survey on the Neural Basis of Behavior * [Prerequisite]
  • PSYC 2600 – Introduction to Social Psychology [Psychological Science Foundations]
  • PSYC 3006 – Research Methods & Data Analysis II  [Core]
  • PSYC 3100 – Learning & The Neuroscience of Behavior. [Advanced Topics]
• Session II: June 16th – July 12th
  • PSYC 2200 – Survey on the Neural Basis of Behavior * [Prerequisite]
  • PSYC 4100 – Neuroscience of Emotions and Motivated Behavior [Elective]
• Session III: July 14th – August 8th
  • PSYC 2005 – Research Methods & Data Analysis I *. [Prerequisite]
  • PSYC 2150 – Introduction to Cognition *  [Psychological Science Foundations]
  • PSYC 3006 – Research Methods & Data Analysis II [Core]
  • PSYC 3200 – Fundamentals of Neuroscience [Core]

Spring and J-term 2025 BS-BN Course Selection

SPRING 2025

• Prerequisites
  • PSYC 2005 – Research Methods and Data Analysis
  • BIOL 2100 – Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics
• Core Courses
  • PSYC 3006 – Research Methods and Data Analysis II
  • PSYC 3200 – Fundamentals of Neuroscience
• Advanced Topics/Electives
  • PSYC 4100 – Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior
  • PSYC 4500- 003 – Diversity of Sensory Perception
  • PSYC 5500-001 – Advanced Readings in Epigenetic Regulation of OXTR
• RM Courses/Electives
  • PSYC 5270 RM: Computational Neuroscience
  • PSYC 5323 RM: R in Psychology
  • PSYC 5500-002 – Practica in Community Psych and Prevention Science
  • NESC 3559 – The Study of Neuroscience From Molecules to Minds
• Electives
  • PSYC 3420 – The Nature Nurture Debate 

JTERM 2025

• Research Methods/Elective
  • PSYC 3210 RM: Psychobiology Laboratory
  • PSYC 3559-001 RM: Imag(in)e Neurons-Brain Function Thru a Lens
  • PSYC 4260 RM: Genetic and Epigenetic Research in Behavior
  • PSYC 4350 RM: Research Methods in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
• Advanced Topics/Elective
  • PSYC 4100 – Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior
• Electives
  • PSYC 4500-001 – Consciousness
  • PSYC 5326 – The Neuroscience of Social Relationships