Biopsychology is a major run jointly by the Departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences.  There is no biopsychology department.  Please see appropriate faculty in either department if you have questions about the program (see information below for how to declare).

Biopsychology is an interdisciplinary area of study (traditionally a subfield of psychology) where the major area of interest is the relationship between physiological and psychological systems. Study focuses on the neural mechanisms of behavior and cognition, evolutionary development of the nervous system, and mechanisms of nervous system and psychiatric disorders. The biopsychology major prepares students for graduate study in biopsychology, neuropsychology, neurobiology, or related fields and for careers requiring a solid foundation in science.

Graduate programs in biopsychology (also known as physiological psychology, psychobiology, and behavioral neuroscience) are often located in psychology departments.

NOTE: some courses are NOT offered every year.  Please note planned scheduling of the course offerings in the undergraduate bulletin.

Requirements for a Major in Biopsychology (B.S.)

14 units including the following required courses and electives:

Biology 213, 217, 306 (306 usually offered in spring of odd years); Psychology 101, 351 (351 usually offered annually in spring), 442 (442 usually offered in fall of even years); Biology 221 or Psychology 116; Chemistry 111.

Elective courses (Select two courses from Experimental Psychology and two from Biology)

Experimental Psychology: select 2 courses (these courses have "experimental psychology" in the course title; 2 offered each semester- PS 116/BI221is prerequisite)

Biology: Biology 219, 304, 311, 312, 324, 333.

One of the following senior-level learning communities:

Biology 400 and Biology 496 (recommended for students considering medical school or graduate studies in the biological sciences or neuroscience/neurobiology) or Psychology 400 and Psychology 441 (recommended for students considering graduate studies in psychology or neuroscience with emphasis on biopsychology).  

Student must make this decision in their junior year and inform the appropriate department.

A laboratory section must be taken as part of any course for which a laboratory section is offered. Lecture and laboratory must be taken concurrently. Please consult the appropriate department chair (Biological Sciences or Psychology) for information regarding research and internship opportunities.

Students interested in graduate study in neuroscience should take additional chemistry courses including biochemistry.

Courses used to calculate the major index include all courses taken in Biology and Psychology.

Students may choose an academic advisor from among the psychology or biology faculty depending on academic interest.

To declare your major, you should go to the psychology department (social sciences office) if you would prefer a psychology advisor and/or are thinking of taking the psychology senior LC.  If you would prefer a biology advisor and/or are thinking of taking the biology senior LC, you should declare your major in the biology department.

There is no minor in biopsychology and biopsychology majors cannot minor in psychology or biology.