University of New England

Degree: Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychobiology

College: Arts and Sciences

Departments: Biological Sciences and Psychology

Contact: Dr. Maryann Corsello (Chair Psychology) mcorsello@une.edu

Biology is an exploration of the living world that underscores and explains the unity and diversity of life. But it is also a truly human endeavor in that it affects us all. Because we live at this time in human history – at the beginning of what many believe to be a biological age – students must be able to apply biological concepts to the wide array of problems and choices they inevitably face.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychologists seek to understand why people (and animals) act in certain ways, how they think, how they develop, and how they can lead healthier lives. Psychology also investigates animal behavior, as relevant to aspects of human development, such as learning and memory.

The mission of psychobiology, as an interdisciplinary science, is to seek answers to profound questions as they relate to both psychology and biology.  Recent studies in neuroscience have suggested that biochemical conditions in the brain exclusively determine how reality is perceived, and thus are the primary (if not the only) cause of all actions. Issues such as these affect us all in profound ways. 

The biology and psychology faculty at the University of New England believe that the best learning takes place by doing. We also believe that strong student-faculty relationships are critical in helping students discover their talents, develop their skills, reach their goals and find their niche in the world.

This interdisciplinary major in Psychobiology is offered jointly by the Department of Biological Sciences and by the Department of Psychology. This major is designed for students who wish to work in the field of animal behavior and whose career goals might include work in zoos and animal parks (marine and terrestrial). The major offers a choice of focus of comparative/ethology or behavioral neuroscience.  Students who choose to go into graduate programs in this field should be prepared to do so after maintaining an appropriate GPA.

Comparative/Ethology (C/E) - This focus is designed to be an observational/behavioral concept. Students will learn to collect data as to the actions of organisms, and to evaluate this data from a behavioral/ecological/ethological/evolutionary perspective. A comparative/ethology psychobiology major can lead to employment in aquariums or zoos, education, wildlife conservation, research laboratories, or to further graduate training.

Behavioral Neuroscience (BN) - This focus is designed as a physiological/behavioral concept. Students will learn to collect data as to the actions of organisms and to evaluate this data as to the correlates between behavior and physiological mechanisms. A behavioral neuroscience psychobiology major can lead to employment in pharmaceutical labs, biotechnology, zoos, aquariums, industry, education, medical or veterinary training, or to further graduate training.

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred biology and psychology courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the biology and psychology courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives.  All Biology courses previously completed must be no older than five years (eight years for BIO 100 level courses).  Other restrictions apply.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

The basic core requirements will be centered on the following for both the C/E and BN specialties with only the chemistry requirement differing. The divergence will occur in differences in further core requirements and choice of electives.

Program Standards
A minimum grade of "C-"  must be achieved in all Science and Psychology courses used to fulfill the requirements for the Psychobiology major. See Undergraduate Academic Policy also.

Minor in Psychobiology
A student with a major in another area may minor in Psychobiology with the permission of the Psychobiology advisor.  A minimum of eighteen hours of approved course credit is required for the minor in Psychobiology as follows:

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2007-2008 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2007.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.