“To the current behavioral neuroscience and psychology students, you only fail if you quit, so no matter what challenges or obstacles come your way, never give up; the rest will follow.”
Alyssa Treptow
Alumni ’20
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BNS Interest Canvas Self-Enroll Click Here
– join the canvas course with information for students interested in the Behavioral Neuroscience major.
Do you have questions related to:
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- Is this major right for you?
- Can I declare a BNS premajor?
- What classes do I register for?
- How to apply for the BNS major?
- You can also contact the BNS Advisor by emailing BNS@wwu.edu or calling 360-650-2148.
FAQs
Q: What are the changes to the catalog starting effective Fall 2021?
Behavioral Neuroscience Major AY 21-22 Catalog Changes-should be published May 3rd
- Major – new changes
a. Pre-major declaration required when applying to major
b. New statistics/research methods courses BNS 301 and BNS 302, replacing PSY 301 and PSY 303.
c. PSY 319/321/322 -choose two out of three
d. Electives- choose one course from the list - Pre-major – new changes
a. 2.9 minimum cumulative GPA required
b. Insufficient Progress Policy for Pre-major. Spring 2022 would be the first quarter this policy could be applied. May remove pre-major from students based on one or more of the following criteria.
Insufficient Progress Policy for Pre-major.
- Cumulative GPA drops below 2.9 for more than a single quarter.
- When, after completing all possible prerequisite courses (including allowed course repeats), a student does not meet the requirements for applying to the major.
- When a student has not applied to the major or taken a class required by the BNS major for at least two consecutive quarters.
Q: Can I use a Pass grade from Winter 2021 when applying to the major?
Starting winter quarter 2021, we will not accept pass/no pass grades for prerequisite courses.
Q: Can I use a Pass grade from Fall 2020 when applying to the major?
We strongly encourage students to accept a letter grade for any courses they are taking Fall 2020 as prerequisites for applying to the BNS major because letter grades provide a clearer indication of your preparedness for entering the major. In addition, we will not accept pass/no pass grades for prerequisite courses taken in or after Winter 2021.
Q: Can I use a Pass grade from Spring and Summer of 2020 when applying to the major?
WWU FAQ page
“A grade of EP (Pass – Exceptional Circumstance) during spring and summer 2020 will count towards curricular, major, continuation, and degree requirements for all students.”
A Pass grade from Spring and Summer 2020 will not be used in calculating your prerequisite GPA. If students want the course to be used in calculating the prerequisite GPA, you must opt for a letter grade in the course. Questions can be sent to bns@wwu.edu or call 360-650-2148.
Q: How do I get involved in research?
A: Visit our Research Opportunities page on the website to determine which faculty member’s research interests you the most. Next, contact this faculty member to introduce yourself and express your interest. Different faculty members have different protocols for accepting students into lab positions (some require an application, others don’t), and acceptance is often contingent on lab space availability.
What can I do with this degree?
After completing a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience, students often pursue careers in research, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and academia. Regardless of postgraduate ambitions, BNS graduates are well equipped for positions in academic institutions, treatment centers, and biomedical laboratories. Please read the Careers page on the website for additional information and resources.
Q: Can I apply to the major while completing the application prerequisites?
A: No, you must receive final grades in the application prerequisites (CHEM 161,162,163, BIOL 204,205,206, and PSY 101, 220) to apply to the major. The grades you receive in the eight required courses will be used to calculate the GPA needed to apply for the major. The average GPA for the eight courses must be equal to or greater than 2.9.
Q: Do I have to take MATH 114/115 or MATH 118?
A: If you take a WWU general math placement test and achieve a score of 80 or higher, you will be exempt from CHEM 161 and PHYS 114 math pre-requisites. Review the math prerequisite requirements for CHEM 161 and PHYS 114 and contact the advisor with any questions.
Q: When should I apply for the major?
A: We encourage students to apply as soon as they become eligible. Delaying your application may prevent you from registering for certain classes that you may only register for as a declared BNS major. It’s nearly impossible to predict which quarters will be best to apply. Visit the major application page to review the requirements and essay questions provided in advance.
Q: I’m worried my average GPA for the eight required classes for the major application isn’t competitive enough. Should I still apply?
A: Yes! While academics are the most important aspect of your application, we do take into account experiences you’ve had that display an interest in the neurosciences. Many students apply with a variety of academic backgrounds, so as long as you meet the 2.9 average GPA cutoff, you may apply if you decide this program is for you. However, during the 2019-2020 academic year, the Behavioral Neuroscience major accepted 62.34% of applicants with an average prerequisite GPA of 3.54. Students not accepted into the major had an average prerequisite GPA of 3.16.
Q: Am I allowed to take a quarter or more off (not including summer)? What must I do to ensure I can do this?
A: Western students planning to return after an absence of one or more quarters (excluding summer) must submit a Returning Student Application for Admission form and a $55 application processing fee before they will be eligible to register for classes. In general, students who left Western in good academic standing, are pursuing their first degree, and complete their application prior to the application deadline will be granted readmission. The application fee may be waived for students who are returning following their United States military service.
Q: Is it possible to complete a Psychology minor with a Behavioral Neuroscience major?
A: Yes, it is! To do this you must complete a minor declaration available at the Psychology Department front desk, and turn into the Registrar’s Office in Old Main 230. Visit the Psychology Minor catalog page for more details on the Psych minor.
Q: Is it possible to double major in Psychology or Chemistry or Biology, and Behavioral Neuroscience?
A: It is possible to major in both psychology and BNS, or other major combinations! To do this, students must complete the admission and declaration process for both majors and satisfy all requirements for the majors, while ensuring that there is not more than a 50% overlap of credits applied to both majors.