Behavioral neuroscience is all about how the brain works and how those mechanical functions create behavior. The field examines nerve cells, neurotransmission, and other physiological systems, and relates these to normal and pathological behavior.

Students take a set of required courses in psychology, biology, mathematics, and chemistry as well as several pre-approved advanced electives in psychology and biology. In their first semester, students take “Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern,” which introduces them to neuroscience and explains co-op.

The program offers outstanding facilities and technology to support course work and research, including rodent and primate laboratories, an electron microscope, chemical and electrical brain-stimulation equipment, neuroanatomical and histological laboratories, a videotaping system, and online/offline computer systems for data collection and analysis. Resources also include equipment to study neurotransmitter release, and for brain microdialysis, quantitative light microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis.

Behavioral neuroscience is a superb background for graduate or medical school and is an entrée into the biotech industry.