88% of Alumni Get Jobs in Neuroscience Related Fields!
Behavioral Neuroscience Program Provides:
- Hands-on Research Experience
- Gain Important Skills for Employment
- Participate in our Exclusive Medical Shadowing Internships
- Apply for majors only Merit and Financial need Scholarships
- Join Visiting Speaker Lunches and Events
Why Consider a Behavioral Neuroscience Major?
Major Demographics
During 2023-2024 the program student population was 75% female; compared to 39% in STEM undergraduate programs nationwide (2016 data), 25% students of color, 11% first generation, and 15% under-represented minorities.
Graduate School
Since the creation of the major in 2005, there have been over 130 behavioral neuroscience alumni who attended graduate school, or allied healthcare programs. The graduates from the program also have a high success and acceptance rate to future graduate programs, post-baccalaureate training programs, and allied healthcare programs.
What is Behavioral Neuroscience?
Behavioral neuroscience explores the role of the nervous system in normal and abnormal behavior, thought, and emotion. This interdisciplinary field provides students with the specialized preparation and technological sophistication critical for success in a variety of graduate-training programs, including neuroscience, psychology, pharmacology, mental health, and neurobiology; and in health care, including medicine and dentistry. For those students who do not anticipate pursuing post-graduate education, the degree program provides an excellent platform for entry-level positions in such areas as biomedical research and the pharmaceutical industry. This major emphasizes an understanding of nervous system structure and function from the molecular/cellular level to the whole organism systems level. For example, behavioral neuroscientists study the neurobiological basis of normal learning and memory, psychiatric illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, drug abuse and neurological illnesses such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
In addition to coursework, students are encouraged to collaborate with faculty members on original research relevant to their interests and goals.
What Classes Do I Have to Take?
To become eligible to apply for the major, there are some prerequisite classes you need to take. Here’s your roadmap of a possible first year at WWU:
Option 1
| Fall Quarter Classes | Winter Quarter Classes | Spring Quarter Classes |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 161 | CHEM 162 | CHEM 163 |
| BIOL 204 | BIOL 205 | BIOL 206 |
| PSY 101 | PSY 220 | BNS 301 |
Option 2
| Fall Quarter Classes | Winter Quarter Classes | Spring Quarter Classes |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 114 | MATH 115 | CHEM 161 |
| PSY 101 | PSY 220 | BIOL 204 |
| GUR | GUR | GUR |
Visit the university catalog AY 25-26 to review complete details and curriculum requirements here.
Apply to the BNS Major
These eight essential prerequisite courses are the building blocks for applying to the major.
- PSY 101
- PSY 220
- CHEM 161
- CHEM 162
- CHEM 163
- BIOL 204
- BIOL 205
- BIOL 206
Students applying to the Behavioral Neuroscience major must first meet the following requirements:
- Successfully declared a BNS pre-major
- Complete at least 75 undergraduate credits
- Complete at least 12 credits at WWU
- Complete the following courses with an average grade point of 2.9 or higher: CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 163; BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206; PSY 101, and PSY 220.
Visit our major application page for additional information about applying to the major.
CIP codes
The Behavioral Neuroscience major is classified as CIP 26.1501 under the Psychology department at Western Washington University. SOC codes and occupations are 11-9121: Natural Sciences Manager, 19-1021: Biochemistry and Biophysicists, 19-1029: Biological Scientists, All Other, 19-1042, Medical Scientists, except epidemiologists.
Quick Links
Click here to self-enroll in BNS Interest Canvas Course(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to View Catalog of Major Requirements(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to Visit the Major Application Page(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to Learn More About Declaring the Pre-Major(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to Learn How to Join a Faculty Research Lab (opens in a new tab)
Click Here to Learn About Applying to a Health Professional Program; Medical, Dental or Pharmacy Schools(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to Learn About the Four Different Medical Shadowing Internships(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to View Seminar Events Information(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to Follow Us on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to View What Can I Do With This Major?(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to Follow the Student Club on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Click Here to Learn About Paid Summer Internships -Late Fall/Early Winter Application Deadlines(opens in a new tab)
In The News
Exciting News! Dr. Josh Kaplan received a $400,000 NIH grant to research cannabis-based treatments for autism and epilepsy. Dive into the full story in this Western News Article Click Here. To learn more about his research, visit his lab website linked here.
BNS Program Coffee Tumbler
20oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Tumbler. Proceeds support students through scholarships, paid research assistant positions and travel to attend conferences. Click here to purchase one today!
brainSTEM Magazine
Issue No. 5
Click here to read the current magazine and view previous issues. brainSTEM is a student led magazine focused on communicating findings and issues in neuroscience.
Logo Meaning
The Behavioral Neuroscience Program logo consists of Seki’ (salmon) and Kwelengsen (eagle). The artist, Doralee Sanchez tells their story, click here to read.