Cognitive and Behavioral Science Major
2024 - 2025 Catalog
We have the following degrees:
- Cognitive and Behavioral Science major leading to BA degree
- Cognitive and Behavioral Science major leading to BS degree
Cognitive and Behavioral Science major leading to BA degree
A major in cognitive and behavioral science leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of at least 34 credits in cognitive and behavioral science as follows:
- Foundations:
a. One of the following: CBSC 110, 111
b. Two of the following: CBSC 112, 113, 114 - Gateway: CBSC 250
- Two specialization courses selected from CBSC 309, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 321, 322, 323, 325, 329, and 349
- One research capstone course selected from CBSC 353, 354, 355, 357, 359, 362, 363, 365, 369 and 399
- At least twelve additional credits chosen from CBSC course numbered 301 and below
- Foundations
- One of the following:
- CBSC 110 - Brain and Behavior with Laboratory
FDR SL Lab Science Distribution Credits 4 An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior. The laboratory component extends classroom materials to include experiential learning with comparative neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and research techniques in behavioral neuroscience.
- CBSC 111 - Brain and Behavior
FDR SC Science, Math, CS Distribution Credits 3 An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior.
- CBSC 110 - Brain and Behavior with Laboratory
- Two of the following:
- CBSC 112 - Cognition
FDR SC Science, Math, CS Distribution Credits 3 An introduction to human information processing, including an examination of perception, attention, memory, problem solving, and language.
- CBSC 113 - Principles of Development
FDR SS3 Social Science - Group 3 Distribution Credits 3 An introduction to the development of individual capacities from conception through the life span. Analysis of thought and behavior at different stages of growth with special emphasis on the period from infancy through adolescence.
- CBSC 114 - Introduction to Social Psychology
FDR SS3 Social Science - Group 3 Distribution Credits 3 The scientific study of how individuals' feelings, thoughts, and behavior are affected by others. Topics include prejudice, the self, interpersonal attraction, helping, aggression, attitudes, and persuasion.
- CBSC 112 - Cognition
- Gateway:
- CBSC 250 - Statistics and Research Design
Credits 4 Prerequisite any CBSC course and at least sophomore class standing Students learn about the design and analysis of psychological research, with particular emphasis on experimentation. Students learn statistical inference appropriate for hypothesis testing, and they use standard statistical packages to analyze data. Laboratory course.
- Two specialization courses selected from:
- CBSC 309 - Data Science: Mind Analytics
Credits 3 Psychological tests promise to match you with your soul mate, reveal the hidden depths of your personality and attitudes, and predict your success in college. How would you determine if these promises are being kept? Students build data-science skills while teaming on how to assess a test's reliability and validity, including tests of abilities, personality, attitudes, and more. No programming experience is required while we use R, a popular open-source programming language, to learn data management, data visualization, model-comparison metrics, and statistical inference in a reproducible and ethically responsible manner.
- CBSC 312 - Sensation Measurement and Perception
Credits 3 Prerequisite either CBSC 110 or CBSC 111 and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 Problems associated with sensory encoding, scaling, contextual and social determinants of perception are considered. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the senses in daily life.
- CBSC 313 - Neural Mechanisms of Motivated Behaviors
Credits 3 Prerequisite either CBSC 110 or CBSC 111 and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 The anatomical, physiological, and neurochemical bases for behaviors are considered. Some examples of behaviors to be discussed include thirst and drinking, ingestion, reproduction, and learning.
- CBSC 314 - Attention
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 110, CBSC 111, or CBSC 112; and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 An examination of the theories and mechanisms associated with attentional processes. Topics include: selective attention, divided attention, inhibition, working memory, and the application of these processes in human/machine interfaces. The functioning of the above processes in abnormal patient populations is also examined.
- CBSC 315 - Cognitive Neuroscience
Credits 4 Prerequisite CBSC 110, CBSC 111, or NEUR 120; and CBSC 250 An examination of the role of the central nervous system in the production of human behavior. Special emphasis is placed on the contribution of the cerebral cortex to cognitive activity and to the effects of brain injury on psychological processes. Laboratories focus on neuropsychological testing and basic concepts in the brain's distribution of complex function. Laboratory course.
- CBSC 316 - Neuropharmacology
Credits 3 Prerequisite either CBSC 110 or CBSC 111 and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 This course combines lecture and seminar elements to explore the physiological bases for drug action in the nervous system with emphasis on molecular mechanisms. The course begins with an overview of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and then proceeds to examinations of major neurotransmitter classes, functional neural circuits, and a survey of recreational drugs, drug abuse, and drug dependence. The course concludes with a consideration of pharmacotherapies for selected disorders of cognition and affect. The role of neuropharmacology in the growth of our understanding of normal neurochemical function is stressed throughout.
- CBSC 317 - Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health and Disease
Credits 3 Prerequisite either CBSC 110 or CBSC 111 and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 This course includes elements of lecture and seminar to explore, first, the neurophysiological mechanisms that govern sleep and circadian rhythms and the methods used to measure these phenomena, and, second, the role of dysregulated sleep and circadian rhythms in physical and mental health. The course ends with a discussion of how poor sleep impacts society and how society might confront population-level deficiencies in sleep.
- CBSC 319 - Cognition and Emotion
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 250 This course challenges the notion that cognition and emotion are fundamentally opposing psychological systems and explores how they function together to influence attention, memory, thinking, and behavior in our social world. Coverage includes contemporary theory, research, experimental design, and application on topics regarding both healthy individuals and those with psychological disorders.
- CBSC 321 - Socioemotional Development
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 113 and CBSC 250 Exploration of children's understanding of emotions and how socialization and cognitive development contribute to the creation of different emotional styles and experiences. Examination of the theoretical and developmental aspects of emotions. Topics include understanding emotional states and the role of socialization practices on emotional expression.
- CBSC 322 - Gender-Role Development
Credits 3 Prerequisite WGSS 120; or CBSC 113 and CBSC 250 This course provides the student with an overview of gender-role development: How do children learn to be boys and girls? What role do biological factors play in different behaviors of boys and girls? Does society push boys and girls in different directions? We discuss children's evolving ideas about gender, and what can be done to change these ideas (or whether they need to be changed at all). Through the examination of these questions and issues, the course introduces students to the major theories of gender-role development, the research methods used to measure children's gender-role behaviors and attitudes, and the current research in the field.
- CBSC 323 - Language, Culture, and Emotion
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 112 or 114, and CBSC 250 Learners will develop an understanding of the psychology of human emotion with a focus on language and culture. This course involves an extensive dive into various emotion theories and emotion research from an interdisciplinary perspective. Some areas that will be explored are: the role of physiology and neuroscience in emotions, emotion development, emotion regulation, emotion in decision making, and mental health. Importantly, we will discuss the role of language and culture in these processes, and how these processes themselves may influence language and culture.
- CBSC 325 - Developmental Psychopathology
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 113, CBSC 210, and CBSC 250 This course utilizes a biopsychosocial perspective to explore atypical developmental processes. The course examines risk and protective factors that contribute to the development of social, emotional, behavioral difficulties and competencies in childhood and adolescence. Conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of children's and adolescents' psychological disorders is also discussed.
- CBSC 329 - Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 114 and CBSC 250 This course examines cognitive and affective processes involved in stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Causes and social implications of prejudice involving various stigmatized groups are examined. Participants focus on attitudes and behaviors of both perpetrators and targets of prejudice that likely contribute to and result from social inequality.
- CBSC 349 - Topical Seminar in Cognitive and Behavioral Science
Credits 3-4 Seminar topics vary with instructor and term. These topical seminars are designed to introduce students to an area of current interest in the field of psychology. Students receive an overview of the research and/or applied practices that have advanced an area of psychological science. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
- One research capstone course selected from:
- CBSC 353 - Advanced Methods in Systems Neuroscience Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in systems neuroscience. May be repeated for credit.
- CBSC 354 - Advanced Methods in Attention Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in attention and memory. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 355 - Advanced Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in human neuropsychology. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 357 - Advanced Methods in Human Psychophysiology
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on various topics in human health psychophysiology research. Students develop skills related to the measurement of human physiology across multiple biological systems (cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory systems, etc.) and learn how changes in physiology relate to, and predict, physical and mental health. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 359 - Advanced Methods in Cognition and Emotion Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in cognition and emotion. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 362 - Advanced Methods in Developmental Psychology Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in developmental psychology. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 363 - Advanced Methods in Language, Culture and Emotion
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in language, culture, and emotions. Students will develop skills related to identifying and navigating difficulties in emotion research, while thinking critically about how language and culture should be considered in our methods.
- CBSC 365 - Advanced Methods in Developmental Psychopathology Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in developmental psychopathology. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 369 - Advanced Methods in Social Psychology Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 329 and instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in social psychology. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 399 - Advanced Research Methods in Cognitive and Behavioral Science
Credits 3 Directed research on an area of current interest in the fields of cognitive and behavioral science. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
- At least twelve additional credits chosen from CBSC courses numbered 301 or below.
Cognitive and Behavioral Science major leading to BS degree
A major in cognitive and behavioral science leading to a Bachelor of Science degree requires completion of at least 50 credits in cognitive and behavioral science and cognate fields distributed as follows:
- Foundations:
a. Take one of the following: CBSC 110, 111
b. Take two of the following: CBSC 112, 113, 114 - Gateway: CBSC 250
- Two specialization courses selected from CBSC 309, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 321, 322, 323, 325, 329, and 349
- One research capstone course selected from CBSC 353, 354, 355, 357, 359, 362, 363, 365, 369, and 399
- Six additional credits chosen from CBSC courses numbered 301 and below.
- At least 22 additional credits chosen from among the following: courses in BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, MATH, NEUR, PHYS and CBSC. No more than 6 credits to be taken in CBSC.
- Foundations
- Take one of the following:
- CBSC 110 - Brain and Behavior with Laboratory
FDR SL Lab Science Distribution Credits 4 An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior. The laboratory component extends classroom materials to include experiential learning with comparative neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and research techniques in behavioral neuroscience.
- CBSC 111 - Brain and Behavior
FDR SC Science, Math, CS Distribution Credits 3 An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior.
- CBSC 110 - Brain and Behavior with Laboratory
- Take two of the following:
- CBSC 112 - Cognition
FDR SC Science, Math, CS Distribution Credits 3 An introduction to human information processing, including an examination of perception, attention, memory, problem solving, and language.
- CBSC 113 - Principles of Development
FDR SS3 Social Science - Group 3 Distribution Credits 3 An introduction to the development of individual capacities from conception through the life span. Analysis of thought and behavior at different stages of growth with special emphasis on the period from infancy through adolescence.
- CBSC 114 - Introduction to Social Psychology
FDR SS3 Social Science - Group 3 Distribution Credits 3 The scientific study of how individuals' feelings, thoughts, and behavior are affected by others. Topics include prejudice, the self, interpersonal attraction, helping, aggression, attitudes, and persuasion.
- CBSC 112 - Cognition
- Gateway:
- CBSC 250 - Statistics and Research Design
Credits 4 Prerequisite any CBSC course and at least sophomore class standing Students learn about the design and analysis of psychological research, with particular emphasis on experimentation. Students learn statistical inference appropriate for hypothesis testing, and they use standard statistical packages to analyze data. Laboratory course.
- Two specialization courses selected from:
- CBSC 309 - Data Science: Mind Analytics
Credits 3 Psychological tests promise to match you with your soul mate, reveal the hidden depths of your personality and attitudes, and predict your success in college. How would you determine if these promises are being kept? Students build data-science skills while teaming on how to assess a test's reliability and validity, including tests of abilities, personality, attitudes, and more. No programming experience is required while we use R, a popular open-source programming language, to learn data management, data visualization, model-comparison metrics, and statistical inference in a reproducible and ethically responsible manner.
- CBSC 312 - Sensation Measurement and Perception
Credits 3 Prerequisite either CBSC 110 or CBSC 111 and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 Problems associated with sensory encoding, scaling, contextual and social determinants of perception are considered. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the senses in daily life.
- CBSC 313 - Neural Mechanisms of Motivated Behaviors
Credits 3 Prerequisite either CBSC 110 or CBSC 111 and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 The anatomical, physiological, and neurochemical bases for behaviors are considered. Some examples of behaviors to be discussed include thirst and drinking, ingestion, reproduction, and learning.
- CBSC 314 - Attention
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 110, CBSC 111, or CBSC 112; and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 An examination of the theories and mechanisms associated with attentional processes. Topics include: selective attention, divided attention, inhibition, working memory, and the application of these processes in human/machine interfaces. The functioning of the above processes in abnormal patient populations is also examined.
- CBSC 315 - Cognitive Neuroscience
Credits 4 Prerequisite CBSC 110, CBSC 111, or NEUR 120; and CBSC 250 An examination of the role of the central nervous system in the production of human behavior. Special emphasis is placed on the contribution of the cerebral cortex to cognitive activity and to the effects of brain injury on psychological processes. Laboratories focus on neuropsychological testing and basic concepts in the brain's distribution of complex function. Laboratory course.
- CBSC 316 - Neuropharmacology
Credits 3 Prerequisite either CBSC 110 or CBSC 111 and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 This course combines lecture and seminar elements to explore the physiological bases for drug action in the nervous system with emphasis on molecular mechanisms. The course begins with an overview of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and then proceeds to examinations of major neurotransmitter classes, functional neural circuits, and a survey of recreational drugs, drug abuse, and drug dependence. The course concludes with a consideration of pharmacotherapies for selected disorders of cognition and affect. The role of neuropharmacology in the growth of our understanding of normal neurochemical function is stressed throughout.
- CBSC 317 - Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health and Disease
Credits 3 Prerequisite either CBSC 110 or CBSC 111 and either BIOL 201 or CBSC 250 This course includes elements of lecture and seminar to explore, first, the neurophysiological mechanisms that govern sleep and circadian rhythms and the methods used to measure these phenomena, and, second, the role of dysregulated sleep and circadian rhythms in physical and mental health. The course ends with a discussion of how poor sleep impacts society and how society might confront population-level deficiencies in sleep.
- CBSC 319 - Cognition and Emotion
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 250 This course challenges the notion that cognition and emotion are fundamentally opposing psychological systems and explores how they function together to influence attention, memory, thinking, and behavior in our social world. Coverage includes contemporary theory, research, experimental design, and application on topics regarding both healthy individuals and those with psychological disorders.
- CBSC 321 - Socioemotional Development
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 113 and CBSC 250 Exploration of children's understanding of emotions and how socialization and cognitive development contribute to the creation of different emotional styles and experiences. Examination of the theoretical and developmental aspects of emotions. Topics include understanding emotional states and the role of socialization practices on emotional expression.
- CBSC 322 - Gender-Role Development
Credits 3 Prerequisite WGSS 120; or CBSC 113 and CBSC 250 This course provides the student with an overview of gender-role development: How do children learn to be boys and girls? What role do biological factors play in different behaviors of boys and girls? Does society push boys and girls in different directions? We discuss children's evolving ideas about gender, and what can be done to change these ideas (or whether they need to be changed at all). Through the examination of these questions and issues, the course introduces students to the major theories of gender-role development, the research methods used to measure children's gender-role behaviors and attitudes, and the current research in the field.
- CBSC 323 - Language, Culture, and Emotion
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 112 or 114, and CBSC 250 Learners will develop an understanding of the psychology of human emotion with a focus on language and culture. This course involves an extensive dive into various emotion theories and emotion research from an interdisciplinary perspective. Some areas that will be explored are: the role of physiology and neuroscience in emotions, emotion development, emotion regulation, emotion in decision making, and mental health. Importantly, we will discuss the role of language and culture in these processes, and how these processes themselves may influence language and culture.
- CBSC 325 - Developmental Psychopathology
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 113, CBSC 210, and CBSC 250 This course utilizes a biopsychosocial perspective to explore atypical developmental processes. The course examines risk and protective factors that contribute to the development of social, emotional, behavioral difficulties and competencies in childhood and adolescence. Conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of children's and adolescents' psychological disorders is also discussed.
- CBSC 329 - Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 114 and CBSC 250 This course examines cognitive and affective processes involved in stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Causes and social implications of prejudice involving various stigmatized groups are examined. Participants focus on attitudes and behaviors of both perpetrators and targets of prejudice that likely contribute to and result from social inequality.
- CBSC 349 - Topical Seminar in Cognitive and Behavioral Science
Credits 3-4 Seminar topics vary with instructor and term. These topical seminars are designed to introduce students to an area of current interest in the field of psychology. Students receive an overview of the research and/or applied practices that have advanced an area of psychological science. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
- One research capstone course selected from:
- CBSC 353 - Advanced Methods in Systems Neuroscience Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in systems neuroscience. May be repeated for credit.
- CBSC 354 - Advanced Methods in Attention Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in attention and memory. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 355 - Advanced Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in human neuropsychology. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 357 - Advanced Methods in Human Psychophysiology
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on various topics in human health psychophysiology research. Students develop skills related to the measurement of human physiology across multiple biological systems (cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory systems, etc.) and learn how changes in physiology relate to, and predict, physical and mental health. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 359 - Advanced Methods in Cognition and Emotion Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in cognition and emotion. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 362 - Advanced Methods in Developmental Psychology Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in developmental psychology. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 363 - Advanced Methods in Language, Culture and Emotion
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in language, culture, and emotions. Students will develop skills related to identifying and navigating difficulties in emotion research, while thinking critically about how language and culture should be considered in our methods.
- CBSC 365 - Advanced Methods in Developmental Psychopathology Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in developmental psychopathology. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 369 - Advanced Methods in Social Psychology Research
Credits 3 Prerequisite CBSC 329 and instructor consent Directed research on a variety of topics in social psychology. May be repeated for degree credit.
- CBSC 399 - Advanced Research Methods in Cognitive and Behavioral Science
Credits 3 Directed research on an area of current interest in the fields of cognitive and behavioral science. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
- Six additional credits chosen from CBSC courses numbered 301 and below
- At least 22 additional credits chosen from among the following:
Courses in BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, MATH, NEUR, PHYS and CBSC. No more than 6 credits to be taken in CBSC.