2009/2010 - 13
PROPOSED MANDATE FOR UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
TITLE: Behavioral Neuroscience Minor
OBJECTIVE: To establish an interdisciplinary minor in Behavioral Neuroscience
REASONS FOR PROPOSED MANDATE: Behavioral neuroscience is a modern, growing, and
interdisciplinary approach to the study of the relationship between brain processes and complex
human and animal behaviors. It is an integration of traditional disciplines as diverse as biology,
chemistry, computer science, philosophy, and psychology.
The proposed behavioral
neuroscience minor is intended to be the first step of a career trajectory for undergraduate
students contemplating professional, academic, and/or research careers in neuroscience,
medicine, neuropsychology, pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicine, and/or animal science.
A behavioral neuroscience program available at Saint Joseph’s will serve two purposes. It
will support applications to and enrollment in the University by attracting students of ability who
might otherwise consider institutions that offer such a program. It will also address the
pedagogical needs of students of ability who are already members of the University community,
providing them with a stimulating, rigorous, and challenging opportunity for intellectual growth
and accomplishment.
RECOMMENDED FOR STUDY BY WHICH BODY?
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Faculty Senate:
Academic Policies and Procedures Committee
Faculty Senate:
Faculty Policies and Procedures Committee
College Council:
College of Arts and Sciences
College Council:
Haub School of Business
Standing Committee on Student Affairs, Full-time Undergraduate
Standing Committee on Student Affairs, Part-time Undergraduate/Graduate
Administrative/Staff Council
Signature:
Date:
09 March 2010
Please forward to the Provost who serves as Chair of the University Council, along with
complete documentation to substantiate the need for the proposed mandate.
Neurosciences p. 2
Interdisciplinary Minor
Behavioral Neuroscience
Background: Behavioral neuroscience is an interdisciplinary approach to the study the
relationship between brain processes and complex human and animal behaviors. It is an
integration of traditional disciplines as diverse as biology, chemistry, computer science,
philosophy, and psychology. The behavioral neuroscience minor proposed here is intended to be
the first step of a career trajectory for undergraduate students contemplating professional,
academic, and/or research careers in neuroscience, medicine, neuropsychology, pharmaceuticals,
veterinary medicine, and/or animal science.
Rationale: Behavioral neuroscience is a rapidly developing field.
Traditionally,
neuroscience programs are interdisciplinary. They are ‘housed’ in departments of psychology or
biology, or have their own department or program.
Institutions offering neuroscience concentrations, minors, and majors prepare students for
interdisciplinary employment opportunities as well as for graduate training in applied health,
science, and neuroscience programs. SJU does not currently offer courses, a minor, a major
concentration, or a major in neuroscience. Of the Colleges and Universities listed as member
institutes with the AJCU, 73% offer neuroscience courses, and 46% offer a minor, a
concentration, or a major. Of the Colleges and Universities that appear on ABFC’s ‘comparison
list,’ 64% offer neuroscience courses, and 36% offer a minor, a concentration, or a major.
(Please see Table 1.)
A behavioral neuroscience program available at Saint Joseph’s will serve two purposes. It
will support applications to and enrollment in the University by attracting students of ability who
might otherwise consider institutions that offer such a program. It will also address the
pedagogical needs of students of ability who are already members of the University community,
providing them with a stimulating, rigorous, and challenging opportunity for intellectual growth
and accomplishment.
Purpose: The mission of the behavioral neuroscience minor includes:


advancing understanding of the relationship between nervous system functioning and
behavior.
providing students with multidisciplinary training and perspectives needed to approach
issues in the broad area of the biological support of behavior.
Program Specifics: The learning objectives of the program are, within the field of
behavioral neuroscience, to give students:




an understanding of its primary theories, concepts, and research findings.
the ability to use its current methodologies to develop ideas and to examine questions.
the ability to apply a knowledge base to its phenomena.
an awareness and an adoption of its values and ethical standards.
Neurosciences p. 3
To achieve these goals and to ensure the interdisciplinary nature of the program, students
wishing to complete the minor must select elective courses offered by at least two participating
departments other than their own major.
Courses currently offered by the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science,
Education/Special Education, Interdisciplinary Health Services, Philosophy, Physics, and
Psychology that might support the proposed minor are listed below. These courses have been
selected in consultation with the chairs of the departments offering them, who have agreed to
allow the courses to be used to support the proposed minor. The final determination of the
appropriateness of courses for inclusion in the minor will be made by the director of the
proposed program.
Many of the courses listed have pre-requisites and/or co-requisites. It is expected that
students who declare the proposed minor will complete any and all required pre- and/or corequisites. The pre- and/or co-requisites will add a desirable and necessary depth and richness to
the students’ knowledge base.
Courses may be taken for behavioral neuroscience credit only if a student’s work in the class
meets one or more of the following criteria:



Coursework includes a substantive treatment of brain/behavior relationships.
Coursework includes a substantive treatment of methodology, techniques, and
approaches relevant to neuroscience.
Coursework in other ways contributes to an understanding of the relationship between
nervous systems and behavior or other issues typically addressed by neuroscientists.
Acceptable coursework will usually include, but not be limited to, a research paper or other
substantive project, the focus of which is a topic within the broad discipline of behavioral
neuroscience. The appropriateness of such coursework for the minor will be determined by the
director of the program.
Neurosciences p. 4
Proposed Interdisciplinary Minor in Behavioral Neuroscience
Core Courses (All three are required):
PSY XX1: Neuroscience Foundations
 Historical perspectives
 Neuroscience methodology
 Anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system
 Cells of the central and peripheral nervous system
 Electrical transmission in the nervous system
 Chemical transmission in the nervous system
 Pharmacology of synaptic transmission
OR BIO 2161: Neurobiology
AND
PSY XX2: Behavioral Neuroscience
 Sensory systems
 Motor systems
 Sleep and biological rhythms
 Psychiatric disorders
 Neurological disorders
 Emotion
 Learning and memory
 Behavioral endocrinology
 Ingestive behavior
 Reproductive behavior
AND
PSY XX3: Cognitive Neuroscience
 Methodology
 Attention
 Perception
 Learning and memory
 Language
 Reasoning
 Consciousness
Neurosciences p. 5
AND at least three electives, chosen from among:
Biology
1011 Cells
2041 Systemic Physiology
2051 Developmental Biology
2111 Animal Behavior
2141 Molecular Genetics
2161 Neurobiology
2211 Biochemistry
2221 Histology
2301 Advanced Cell Biology
Chemistry
2311 Organic Chemistry I
2312 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
2321 Organic Chemistry II
2322 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
2351 Advanced Organic Chemistry
2611 Biochemistry
2617 Biochemistry Laboratory
2621 Advanced Biochemistry
Computer Science
1501 Intro to CS (to become CSC 121)
2211 Data Structures
2231 Computer Architecture
2261 Principles of Programming Languages
2451 Computer Vision (to become CSC 342)
2631 Intro to AI (to become CSC 362)
Education/Special Education
2111 Education of the Special Learner
2171 Special Education Diagnosis
2181 Teaching Students with Moderate to Profound Disabilities
2371 Linguistic Topics in Education
Interdisiplinary Health Services
2101 Psychological Aspects of Health, Illness & Disability
2531 Nutrition: Health and Disease
2571 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
2581 Epidemiology
2631 Theories of Addiction & Addictive Behavior
Neurosciences p. 6
Philosophy
2461 Philosophy of Science
2491 Science, Mind and Philosophy
Physics
1031 General Physics I
1041 General Physics II
1032 General Physics Laboratory I
1042 General Physics Laboratory II
1051 University Physics I
1061 University Physics II
1052 University Physics Laboratory I
1062 University Physics Laboratory II
1091 Survey of Nanotechnology
1151 Electronics I
1161 Electronics II
1311 Physics: Concepts and Applications
2051 Electricity and Magnetism
2241 Biophysics
2251 Physics of Fluids
Psychology
1001/11 Introductory Psychology
1301 Lifespan Development
1351 Abnormal Psychology
1371 Child Development
2021 Research Methods
2101 Sensation and Perception
2111 Animal Learning and Memory
2121 Neuropsychology
2131 Health Psychology
2141 Drugs, the Brain, and Human Behavior
2151 Comparative Psychology
2161 Psychology of Emotion
2171/81 Advanced Topics in Psychology
Neurosciences p. 7
Operating Budget:
As the minor would initially be comprised largely of existing
coursework, start-up expenses will be modest:
Office supplies:
Library resources:
Meals and Banquets
Total
$300
$500
$200
$1000
Explanation of Operating Budget:
Office Supplies: Based on Asian Studies budget, and including costs for advertising
activities and general office supplies (i.e., paper). Without this budget line, these costs would be
hidden and carried by the host department.
Library Resources: Because Behavioral Neuroscience has not been a major focus of faculty
teaching or research, the University collection may require upgrading or strengthening to support
the minor.
Meals and Banquets: Funds to cover the costs of an annual information meeting for students
will be needed.
Institutional Expenses: Stipend for Director of Minor:$1000
Explanation of Institutional Expenses:
The stipend is equivalent to that of the ones provided to the directors of Gender Studies and
Asian Studies. No course release is indicated at this time.
Future Expenses: The proposed Behavioral Neuroscience Minor can be regarded as a first
step toward an interdisciplinary major in that field. If student interest in the minor indicates that
such a major would be viable at SJU, its creation would necessitate the hiring of at least one new
Psychology faculty member as well as a course reduction for the director of the program.
Neurosciences p. 8
Table 1. Jesuit and Comparison Colleges and Universities.
School
Major
Minor
Concentration
Grad
Courses
Home Dept
Jesuit Schools
BC
Canisius
Holy Cross
Creighton
Fordham
Georgetown
Gonzaga
John Carroll
Le Moyne
Loyola LA
Loyola Chi
Loyola NO
Regis
Rockhurst
St. Louis
St. Peters
Seattle
Spring Hill
U San Fran
U Scranton
Wheeling
Xavier
X
X
X
X
-
X
X
X
X
-
X
X
X
-
X
X
-
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Psych
Bio
Bio/Psych
Psych
Bio
Neurosciences
Psych
Bio/Psych
Neurosciences
Psych
Psych
Bio
Interdisc
Neurosciences
Bio
Schools on ABFC
Comparison List
Bucknell
TCNJ
Drake
Fairfield
Loyola MD
Marquette
Providence
Quinnipiac
Rutgers-Camden
Santa Clara
U Richmond
U Tulsa
Villanova
X
X
-
-
X
X
X
-
X
X
-
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Neurosciences
Psych/Interdisc
Neurosciences
Psych
Psych
Neurosci/Bio
Psych
Interdisc
Psych
73%
64%
46%
36%
of Jesuit schools offer neuroscience courses
of schools on ABFC comparison list offer neuroscience courses
of Jesuit schools offer a neuroscience major, minor, or concentration
of schools on comparison list offer a neuroscience major, minor, or concentration