Behavioral Neuroscience

Behavioral Neuroscience (BN) is a new major in Psychology at the University of Kansas. The concentration in behavioral neuroscience is designed for students with a focused interest in the biological bases of behavior and thought. The concentration is well suited for students who are contemplating professional or mainly research careers in medicine, pharmacology, veterinarian medicine, animal science, neurology, neurobiology, and neuroscience. It is also suitable as a degree for those headed into other health-related fields or graduate school in other areas of psychology. As a behavioral neuroscience major, you will take courses in many different departments because, as you explore the neural basis of behavior and prepare to enter the neuroscience research field, you will need to acquire knowledge in the realms of chemistry, biology, psychology, statistics, and even computer science.

Neuroscience is an extremely large discipline that encompasses the work of a wide variety of scientists with broad research interests. However, all neuroscientists are interested in the brain and how it works. Some neuroscientists (e.g., in biology) are only interested in learning about the basic physiology of the brain and of brain tissue. Biologically oriented neuroscientists might be interested in such questions as: What cellular processes enable neurons to communicate with each other via neurotransmitters? But behavioral neuroscientists are interested in the relationship between the physiological processes that occur in the brain and the behavior of an organism. The Behavioral Neuroscientist is likely to be interested in the biological basis of normal learning and memory as well as psychiatric illness (e.g., depression, drug abuse, schizophrenia). They might also be interested in how the nervous system influences thoughts, emotions, or abnormal behaviors. This focus on the behavior of the entire organism (typically humans) is what is distinctive about behavioral neuroscience within the KU Psychology Department.

This interdisciplinary program gives students exceptional experience with research and writing, as well as technological sophistication that will prepare you will for a variety of neuroscience-related graduate programs (neuroscience, psychology, pharmacology, mental health fields, neurobiology, medicine, dentistry, nursing). It also provides an excellent background for entry-level positions in research (e.g., biomedical, pharmaceutical, biotech).

Freshmen must:
 
1. Provide evidence of high school graduation with a curriculum that would prepare you for university studies in your home country

Credentials and Requirements by Country for Freshman Addition to the College of LIberal Arts and Sciences

2. Have a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;

3. Submit English proficiency test scores (used to estimate students' placement in appropriate level of ESL course, as needed. All international students are screened after arrival on campus and prior to enrollment by the KU Applied English Center).

The University of Kansas will accept both the new SAT and the old SAT. We will use concordance tables to compare your scores and determine your highest scores on either the new SAT or the old SAT. At this time, any SAT scores listed are based on the new SAT (after March 2016).  

In addition to transcripts or marksheets, you must present an official diploma or graduation certificate, official examination results, or other proof of graduation particular to your country.  We use equivalent admission criteria for applicants from all countries.  Meeting the minimum grade point average does not guarantee admission.

KU offers a few partial scholarships for qualified, new international freshmen and transfer students admitted for fall semester. To be considered for a scholarship, you must complete an online fall semester application by Jan. 15.

The Office of International Recruitment and Undergraduate Admissions (IRUA) screens candidates for a limited number of admissions scholarships. Awards are only offered to degree-seeking undergraduates whose first KU semester is the fall semester. KU does not offer international student scholarships based on financial need. International undergraduate scholarships do not cover all expenses. Prior to issuance of the SEVIS document, students requesting F-1 or J-1 status must submit proof of financial support for the first year of study.