Behavioural neuroscience is the general study of the relations between the structure and activity of the brain and its function in generating integrated adaptive behavioural responses. Memorial’s neuroscience program has strong links to the Faculty of Medicine, located on the same campus in St. John’s.

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• Admission requirements - entry to the university
• Your first year
• Admission requirements - admission to the major
• Sample courses
• Career opportunities

Behavioural Neuroscience at Memorial

Through course work and hands-on research experiences, Behavioural Neuroscience students learn the science behind their degree. A variety of topics are covered including spatial and temporal cognition, effects of hormones on behaviour and animal models of psychological disorders. Because Behavioural Neuroscience is a multi-disciplinary field, you will also take a variety of different sciences as part of their degree.

In addition to the B.Sc. major and honours options in Behavioural Neuroscience, joint programs are offered in:

• Biology and Behavioural Neuroscience (B.Sc. honours)
• Human Biosciences and Behavioural Neuroscience (B.Sc. honours)

Co-operative education option

The Department of Psychology offers a co-operative education option available to behavioural neuroscience majors. Co-op students complete three work terms, which consist of full-time paid employment.

Admission to the co-op option is competitive for a limited number of places.

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Admission requirements - entry to the university

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Science by indicating as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission.

Direct entry into the Faculty of Science from high school is subject to meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University, including appropriate high school courses in mathematics and a laboratory science.

Important to know: You cannot choose behavioural neuroscience as your major at the time of application. Admission into the major requires the completion of university level courses. Follow the information listed below under your first year and admission to the major for further details.

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Your first year

Have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take before applying to the behavioural neuroscience major.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

1. Selection of a mathematics course depends on your background and ability. Students should refer to  the Math Criteria Chart prior to selecting a first-semester math course. Mathematics 1000, 1006 (or equivalent) or Statistics 1500, or two of Mathematics 1090, 1050, 1051 (or equivalent) are required for admission to the major program in psychology. Students who complete Mathematics 1000, 1006 or Statistics 1500 in the Fall semester may complete an elective in the Winter semester.
   
   
2. Students should consult the Calendar course descriptions to determine whether Mathematics 1000 (or equivalent) is a pre-requisite for other (non-Psychology) courses they plan to take. In particular, students considering Joint Majors or Joint Honours programs should consider taking both Mathematics 1000 (or equivalent) and Statistics 1500.
   
   
3. If you are registered in Physics 1050, you must also be registered in, or have received credit for, Mathematics 1000 (not 1090). You should consult with an advisor about whether to take Physics 1020 and 1021 or Physics 1050 and 1051. Picking one of these sequences may prevent you from meeting the prerequisites for other courses.
   
   
4. Selection of higher level courses is often dependent on completing the prerequisites for these courses in first year.  You may wish to take chemistry and physics in your first year and biology in your second year. Or, you can take biology in your first year and either physics or chemistry in your second year.
   
   
5. You are required to complete six credit hours in CRW courses, including at least three credit hours in English courses.
    
6. If you are interested in pursuing a major in behavioural neuroscience, you should carefully plan which courses you take in your first year to ensure that you meet the program requirements. If you are interested in a joint program in biochemistry, biology, or human biosciences, or a minor program, you will need to be familiar with the recommended second year courses.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information, visit the Department of Psychology or contact the Academic Program Manager.

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Admission requirements - admission to the major

Current Memorial students

Entry into the behavioural neuroscience major is based on academic standing. Admission is competitive and selective. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission to the program.

To be considered for admission to the behavioural neuroscience major, you must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours (8 courses), including the following:

• six credit hours in critical reading and writing (CRW) courses, including at least three credit hours in English
• one Mathematics 1000, 1006 or Statistics 1500 or two of Mathematics 1090, 1050 or 1051 (or equivalent)
• Psychology 1000 and 1001
• six credit hours in elective courses (three elective courses if only Mathematics 1000 is completed) 

A minimum average of 65% in Psychology 1000 and 1001 and an overall average of 60% in psychology, CRW, and mathematics courses is required.

Apply to the major

Students intending to major in behavioural neuroscience must submit a departmental online application form by June 1 to the Department of Psychology. Forms are usually available online in mid-March and are submitted at the end of the second semester.

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Sample courses

PSYC 2520 - Introduction to Behavioural Neuroscience
PSYC 3250 - Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
PSYC 3820 - Research Techniques in Behavioural Neuroscience

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Career opportunities

A bachelor of science degree, with a major in behavioural neuroscience, prepares students for a variety of careers including:

• audiologist
• clinical research assistant
• health educator
• medical doctor
• neuropsychologist
• occupational therapist
• physiotherapist

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.

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