GS Neuroscience & Behavior Major - Requirements

The Department of Psychology and the Department of Biological Sciences co-sponsor a combined major in neuroscience and behavior. In addition to one year of general chemistry (or the high school equivalent), ten courses are required to complete the major, five from Biology and five from Psychology.

A grade of C- or better must be earned and revealed on your transcript for any course -- including the first semester -- to be counted towards the major or concentration requirements. The grade of P is not acceptable, but a course that was taken P/D/F may be counted if and only if the P is uncovered by the Registrar's deadline.

Students may substitute Barnard College courses only with prior permission from an Advisor.

1. Biology C2005 - Introductory Biology I: Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

2. Biology C2006 - Introductory Biology II: Cell Biology, Development & Physiology

3. W3004 - Neurobiology I: Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology

4. W3005 - Neurobiology II: Developmental and Systems

5. One additional 3000 or 4000 level biology lecture course from the following:
C3032 - Genetics (or W3031)
C3799 - Readings-Molecular Biology of Cancer
W3002 - Intro to Animal Structure and Function
W3006 - Physiology
W3008 - Cellular Physiology of Disease
W3034 - Biotechnology
W3022 - Developmental Biology
W3037 - Whole Genome Bioinformatics
W3041 - Cell Biology
W3073 - Cellular and Molecular Immunology
W3150 - The Cell as a Machine
W3512 - Molecular Biology
W3990 - Readings in Cell Biology
W4400 - Biological Networks
W4510(CHBC) - Molecular Systems Biology I
W4511(CHBC) - Molecular Systems Biology II
W4799 - Readings-Molecular Biology of Cancer
G4001 - Intro to Neural Development
G4008 - Advanced seminar in neurobiology
G4011 - Neural systems: circuits in the brain
Biochem G4021 or Biol-Chem C3501 - Biochemistry
G4600 - Signal transduction

Note: SCNC & HPSC courses do not count towards the Major even if listed under Biology courses on Bio web site.

Psychology

1. Psychology W1001;
2. Psychology W1010 or W2450;
3. Psychology W1420, 1440, 1460, 1480, or 1490, or Statistics W1111 or W1211;
4. One additional 2000 or 3000 level psychology course from a list approved by the Psychology Departmental adviser to the program. see the department website:
5. One advanced psychology seminar from a list approved by the Psychology Department adviser to the program. see the department website:

Transfer Credit for Psychology Courses taken elsewhere. Students should consult the psychology advisor before registering for psychology courses offered outside the Department. With the advisor's approval, one Barnard psychology course, but not more than one, may be applied toward the 1st, 3rd, 4th, or 5th psychology requirement. Alternatively, a student may apply to the advisor to have one course from another institution applied toward the psychology portion of the Neuroscience and Behavior major. To be approved for transfer credit a course taken at another institution should be substantially similar to one offered by the department and the grade received must be B- or better.

Note: No course may be counted twice in fulfillment of the above biology or psychology requirements. A grade of C-, or higher, must be earned in any Columbia course that is used to satisfy the major requirement. Also, courses taken on a pass/fail or pass/D/fail basis may not be used to satisfy the major requirement.

CHEMISTRY: 1 year of General Chemistry or the high school equivalent is required.

NOTE: Most graduate programs in Neuroscience require 1 year of calculus, 1 year of physics and chemistry through organic.