Behavioral neuroscience, which is the application of the principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic and developmental mechanisms of behavior in humans and animals, serves as the foundation of the brain and behavioral sciences major. The major also incorporates traditional areas of cognitive psychology (memory, thinking and reasoning), learning and motivation, statistics, and mathematical models of behavior in humans and animals. You will be prepared to work within all areas of psychology as well as multiple areas of business, healthcare and social services. The brain and behavioral sciences major is designed for students interested in the more science- or math-focused applications of psychology. This major also offers excellent preparation for graduate and professional school.
Career Opportunities
- Human resources manager
- Corrections officer
- Community service manager
- Health educator
- Human factors specialist
- Management analyst
- Market research analyst
- Victim advocate
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapist
- Search engine evaluator
- Mental health technician
- Account executive
- Research analyst
Potential Areas of Advanced Study
- Medical school
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physician assistant
- Clinical psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Industrial-organizational psychology
- Mathematical and computational psychology
- Neuroscience and behavior
- Social psychology
- Orthotics and prosthetics
- Veterinary medicine
- Business administration
- Human resources (accelerated 4+1 program offered in the Krannert School of Management)
- Public health (accelerated 4+1 program offered in the Department of Public Health)
- Art therapy
Learning Experiences
- Join the Research-Focused Honors Program.
- Complete an internship for credit in PSY 49200 (Internship in Psychology).
- Get involved in undergraduate research for credit in PSY 39000 (Research Experience in Psychology) and PSY 49800 (Senior Research).
- Study abroad in one of the department’s programs.
- Join the Psychology Learning Community during your first year on campus.
Program Quick Facts
Degree Type:
Bachelor’s
Location:
West Lafayette
Department/School:
Department of Psychological Sciences
“I chose to attend Purdue because I understood that graduating from the University would open doors of opportunity for me that I may not be able to obtain elsewhere.”
— George
George
George
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Major: Brain and Behavioral Sciences
Why Purdue: I chose to attend Purdue because I understood that graduating from the University would open doors of opportunity for me that I may not be able to obtain elsewhere.
Favorite Place at Purdue: My favorite spot on campus is the Black Cultural Center (BCC) because I consider it a safe haven from the daily struggles of being surrounded by a campus that doesn’t care or understand you or your culture, and it tries its best to educate the Purdue Community on being Black, not only at Purdue but all over the country/world with its different resources.
Advice for an Incoming Freshman: My advice to incoming freshmen would be to make sure you use your time at Purdue to grow as a person. Focusing on our academics is a major part of our experience as a student, but we are also preparing to be the next leaders in this world. Make connections and use your peers to get insight on how things operate outside of yourself. You should not be leaving Purdue the same way you came. Learn, adapt, succeed.
Phi Beta Sigma