Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience focuses more specifically on natural science-oriented psychology courses and allows students to take limited approved non-psychology courses relevant to contemporary neuroscience. This specialization also requires more math and biology courses than general psychology. Students in the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience specialization must complete 36 credits of psychology coursework with a minimum grade of C. At least 30 of the 36 credits must be 3000-level or above. In addition to psychology requirements, students must meet the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences degree requirements.
Dual Degree/Double Major Requirements
Students must fulfill all 1-5 critical tracking criteria before seeking approval. We are overenrolled in all psychology tracks; therefore, students should submit their request immediately after completing all 1-5 critical tracking courses- cannot be in progress. If approved, students are expected to enroll in the major during semester 6 and complete major requirements in semesters 6-8. Requesting to add the major with less than 3 semesters left to graduate is subject to denial due to course offerings and limited space.
See CLAS AAC Information on Dual Degree/Double Majors: Requirements & Eligibility
Please note: Those who delay requesting to add the major but are taking courses for the major are also at risk of being denied due to space in senior-only courses. Students actively enrolled in our major are top priority, so it’s best to be proactive in getting approval.
Psych advisors cannot force students into full courses. Students interested in psychology as a second degree aren’t a priority when registering for major coursework.
Major Change Requirements
- Changing Majors in Terms 1-5: Students who want to change to a CLAS major in terms 1-5 must meet with an advisor in the CLAS AAC. The tracking term of students who entered UF as Summer B/Fall freshmen is based on the number of fall/spring semesters in which they enrolled for 10 or more credits. Full-term withdrawals and study abroad are not included as tracking terms.
- Transfer Students: As an overenrolled program, students must originally be admissible to the psychology program to request departmental support. There are no guarantees that students meeting the admissions requirements will be approved. Students should meet with a CLAS AAC advisor beforehand.
- Changing Majors in Term 6 or Later: The further along a student is, the harder it may be to change majors and progress and graduate in a timely fashion. Students wishing to change to a CLAS major in term 6 or later must meet with an advisor in the AAC.
The UGC will help the student develop a study plan but cannot review requests for major changes unless submitted using the correct paperwork.
Psych advisors cannot force students into full courses. Students interested in psychology as a second degree aren’t a priority when registering for major coursework.
More information can be found by viewing the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Academic Policies page.
1-5 Required Critical Tracking Courses for the Major
More information on the 1-5 critical tracking courses can be found in the UF undergraduate catalog.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY2012 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY3213L | Laboratory Methods in Psychology *Students should take PSY 3213L in semester 3 or 4 and before taking any additional 3000-level or above psychology courses. | 3 |
| PSB3340 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
| BSC2010 | Biology Principles | 3 |
| STA2023 | Intro to Statistics | 3 |
| MAC2311 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
| STA3024 | Statistics 2 * Not part of 1-5 critical tracking but required for the major. | 3 |
Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Core Requirement (36 credits)
The course listing below does not represent an order sequence.
Students can also download the BCN-Program Checklist.
Psychology Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience -12 Credits
| Category | Course | Description | Credit | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Basics of Neuroscience | PSB3340 | Behavioral Neuroscience (Critical Tracking) | 3 | Fall/Spring/Summer |
| General Psychology | PSY2012 | General Psychology (Critical Tracking) | 3 | Fall/Spring/Summer |
| Laboratory Course | PSY3213L | Lab Methods Psychology (Critical Tracking) | 3 | Fall/Spring/Summer |
| Learning & Cognition | EXP3604 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 | Fall/Spring/Summer |
Advanced BCN Laboratory Required- 4 Credits
Must complete one of the following courses below.Note: EXP4174Cis typically offered every Fall and Spring while PSB4343C is typically a Spring only. Lab courses are NOT offered in the summer term.
How to Enroll: Graduating BCN Seniors have TOP priority enrollment via the completion of PSY enrollment survey. Survey is sent to students via PSYCH student list serve prior to every fall and spring advance registration for approval as courses are department controlled. Juniors are eligible to self-enroll in remaining seats once department opens. Labs are reserved for students in the BCN track. Not open to non-majors.
| Course | Description | Credit | Offered |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXP4174C BCN Seniors Only | Laboratory in Sensory Processes | 4 | Fall/Spring |
| PSB4343C BCN Seniors Only | Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience | 4 | Spring |
| PSY4905 | Individual Work (independent project in a psychology faculty behavioral and cognitive neuroscience lab | 4 | Fall/Spring/Summer |
Note: Students who choose to enroll in sub courses must contact our office as they will not apply to the appropriate area. We will have to manually add them.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| APK2100c | Applied Human Anatomy w/ Lab | 4 |
| APK2105c | Applied Human Physiology w/ Lab | 4 |
| BCH3025 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 4 |
| BCH4024 | Intro Biochemistry & Molecular Bio. | 4 |
| BMS4905 | Independent Research in Biomedical Science | 1-3 (total of 4 credits required.) |
| CHM2045 & 2045L | Chemistry I + Lab | 4 |
| CHM2046 & 2046L | Chemistry II + Lab | 4 |
| CHM2200 & 2200L | Organic Chemistry I +Lab | 4 |
| CHM2211& 2211L | Organic Chemistry II + Lab | 4 |
| CHM3218 | Bioorganic Chemistry II | 4 |
| MCB3020 & 3020L | Microbiology & Cell Science & Lab | 4 |
| MCB3023 & 3023L | Principals of Microbiology +Lab | 4 |
| MCB3063 | Genetics w/ Lab | 4 |
| OTH4412 | Musculoskeletal Anatomy | 5 |
| PCB4723 | Physiology and Molecular Biology of Animals | 4 |
| CHM2095 & CHM2095L | Chemistry for Engineers 1 + Lab | 4 |
| CLP4421C | Clinical and Behaviroal Neuroanatomy and Lab | 4 |
Psychology Electives at 4000 Level PSB or EXP Prefix (6 Credits)
Students must choose two additional 4000-level psychology courses to meet the 36-credit minimum requirement. Excluding Individual Work Courses: PSY4905, 4911, 4940, 4949, and 4970.
Below is a brief example of the courses that will count for the additional electives area. The semester in which courses are offered is subject to change.
Note: Non-psychology courses may not reflect accurately on the degree audit. Therefore, we may have to manually apply them to your audit. If this happens, please email us.| Course | Description | Offered |
|---|---|---|
| APK4144 | Neuroscience of Movement | Applied Physiology & Kinesiology |
| BCH4024 | Intro Biochemistry & Molecular Bio. | Medicine-Biochemistry/Molecular Biology |
| BME4361 | Neural Engineering | Biomedical Engineering |
| CLP4110 | Eating Disorders | Psychology |
| CLP4134 | Introduction to Clinical and Child Pediatric Psychology | College of Public Health & Health Professions |
| CLP4302 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | College of Public Health & Health Professions |
| CLP4420 | Intro to Neuorpsych | Public Health and Health Professions, Clinical Health Psychology |
| DEP4115 | Infant Development | Psychology |
| EXP4404 | Psychology of Learning and Memory | Psychology |
| HSC4558 | Survey of Diseases and Disabilities | College of Public Health & Health Professions |
| HSC4600 | Psychiatric Disorders | College of Public Health & Health Professions |
| LIN4702c | Methods in Psycholinguistics | Linguistics |
| LIN4701 | Psycholinguistics | Linguistics |
| LIN4790 | Brain & Language | Linguistics |
| MDU4850 | Diseases of Eating | Medicine-General |
| OTH4412 | Musculoskeletal Anatomy | Occupational Therapy |
| PCB4723C | Physiology and Molecular Biology of Animals | Zoology |
| PSB 4240 BCN Seniors Only | Psychobiology Abnorm | Spring/Fall Psychology |
| PSB 4342 BCN Seniors Only | Intro Cognitive Neuro | Spring Psychology |
| PSB 4934 BCN Seniors Only | ALL Special Topics | Spring/Fall Psychology |
| PSY4824 | Psychology of Eating and Obesity | Psychology |
| PSY4930 | Neuroimagining Applications | Psychology |
| PSY4930 | Resilience in Children w/ Chronic Health Conditions | Psychology |
| PSY4930 | Decision-making & Judgement | Psychology |
| PSB4934 | Physiological Psychology | Psychology |
| PSB4810 | Neurobiology of Learning and Memory | Psychology |
Additional BCN Electives (14 Credits)
Courses Can Be Used to Credit 3000-4000 Level BCN Electives/BCN-Related Electives and Approved Electives Outside the Major.Department discretion: Students should defer to the department which owns the course if unable to self-enroll. We cannot guarantee your enrollment request will be approved.
Note: Non-psychology courses may not reflect accurately on the degree audit. Therefore, we may have to manually apply them to your audit. If this happens, please email us.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| APK2105c | Applied Human Physiology w/ Lab | 4 | Applied Physiology & Kinesiology |
| APK2100c | Applied Human Anatomy w/ Lab | 4 | Applied Physiology & Kinesiology |
| APK3405 | Exercise Psychology | 3 | Applied Physiology & Kinesiology |
| AGR3303 | Genetics | 3 | Agronomy |
| ANT3515 | Human Evolutionary Anatomy | 3 | Anthropology |
| BSC3096 | Human Physiology | Biological Sciences |
|
| BMS4905 | Independent Research in Biomedical Science | 1-3 (Must have combined total of 4 credits) | Medicine-General |
| BCH4024 | Intro Biochemistry & Molecular Bio. | 4 | Medicine-Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology |
| BCH3025 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 4 | Food Science and Human Nutrition |
| BME4361 | Neural Engineering | 3 | Biomedical Engineering |
| CLP 4110 | Eating Disorders | 3 | Psychology |
| CLP4420 | Intro to Neuorpsych | 3 | Public Health and Health Professions, Clinical Health Psychology |
| CLP4302 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 | Public Health and Health Professions, Clinical Health Psychology |
| CLP4131 | Introduction to Clinical and Child Pediatric Psychology | 3 | Public Health and Health Professions, Clinical Health Psychology |
| CLP3144 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 | Psychology |
| DEP3053 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | Psychology |
| DEP4115 | Infant Development | 3 | Psychology |
| EAB3002 | Principles of Behavior Anlysis | 3 | Psychology |
| EXP3104 | Sensory Processes | 3 | Psychology |
| EXP4404 | Psychology of Learning & Memory | 3 | Psychology |
| HSC 4600 | Psychiatric Disorders | 3 | Public Health & Health Professions - Undergrad |
| HSC4558 | Survey of Diseases and Disabilities | 3 | Public Health and Health Professions, Health Sciences |
| HSC3502 | Survey of Diseases and Disabilities | 3 | Public Health and Health Professions, Health Sciences |
| LIN4790 | Brain & Language | 3 | Linguistics |
| LIN4702c | Methods in Psycholinguistics | 3 | Linguistics |
| LIN4701 | Psycholinguistics | 3 | Linguistics |
| MCB3023 & 3023L | Principals of Microbiology | 4 | Microbiology and Cell Science |
| MCB3020 & 3020L | Microbiology & Cell Science | 4 | Microbiology and Cell Science |
| MCB4304 | Genetics of Microorganisms | 3 | Microbiology and Cell Science |
| MDU4850 | Diseases of Eating | 3 | Medicine-General |
| OTH4412 | Musculoskeletal Anatomy | 5 | Public Health & Health Professions/ Occupational Therapy |
| OTH3416 | Pathophysiology | 3 | Public Health & Health Professions/ Occupational Therapy |
| PSB4934 | Physiological Psychology* | 3 | Psychology |
| PSB4934 | Physiological Psychology* | 3 | Psychology |
| PCB4723 | Physiology and Molecular Biology of Animals | 4 | Zoology |
| PCB3063 | Genetics w/ Lab | 4 | Zoology |
| PCB3063 | Genetics | 4 | Zoology |
| PCB4522 | Molecular Genetics | 3 | Microbiology and Cell Science |
| PCB4674 | Evolution | 3 | Zoology |
| PCO4270 | Latinx Psychology | 3 | Psychology |
| PSY3626 | Psychology of Sustainability | 3 | Psychology |
| PSY4930-Westin | Resilience in Children w/ Chronic Health Conditions* | 3 | Psychology |
| PSY4930-Tanner | Neuroimagining Applications* | 3 | Psychology |
| PSY4930-Kvam | Decision-making & Judgement* | 3 | Psychology |
| PSY4905 | Independent Study | Varies | Psychology |
| PSY4911 | Supervised Research | Varies | Psychology |
| PSY4970 | Honors Thesis | Varies | Psychology |
| PSY4949 | Internship | Varies | Psychology |
| PSY4940 | Intro to Teaching | Varies | Psychology |
| PCO4113 | Positive Psychology | 3 | Psychology |
| PSY4824 | Psychology of Eating and Obesity* | 3 | Psychology |
| SOP3004 | Social Psychology | 3 | Psychology |
| ZOO4926 | Special Topics in Zoology: Sensory System & Behavior | 2 | Zoology |
| CLP2001 | Personal Growth | 3 | Psychology |
| DEP4704C | Research Methods in Developmental Psychology | 4 | Psychology |
| GEY4001 | Issues and Concepts in Gerontology | 3 | Psychology |
| PCO4404 | Black Psychology | 3 | Psychology |
| PCO4930 | Seminar in Counseling Psychology: Intro to Counseling Psych | 3 | Psychology |
| PSY4625 | The Psychology of Pseudoscience | 3 | Psychology |
| CBH3003 | Comparative Psychology | 3 | Psychology |
Do you want to know if a course not on the list will satisfy the elective requirements? Email psych-advising@ufl.edu and attach the course syllabus for assistance.