9.7. Biopsychology

Programs offered:

  • B.S. in Biopsychology (TU)

Biopsychology studies the relationship between brain processes and behavior. By its nature, biopsychology is an interdisciplinary field that integrates biological and psychological sciences. Students pursuing a degree in Biopsychology take courses that focus on the neural and hormonal correlation of behavior including sleep, feeding, sexual behavior, learning and memory, language, sensory and perceptual mechanisms, drug interactions, research methods, and statistics. A graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology could pursue careers or graduate programs in allied health professions, biopsychology, neuropsychology, medicine, psychiatry, neuroscience, or related fields.

Due to the broad applicability of the major, students should consult with their academic advisor to create a coherent program of study that is best suited to each student’s goals.

Students interested in pursuing careers in biomedical sciences and allied health studies (that is, those wishing to eventually attend schools of nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical laboratory science, etc.), or those interested in medical school or other similar healthcare professional school (dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, etc.) should seek specialized advising.

Some introductory-level science (e.g.: biology and chemistry) lecture courses have mathematics prerequisites, and some also have mathematics co-requisites. Several of these introductory-level science courses are required for the Biopsychology major. While the mathematics prerequisites can be satisfied in a variety of ways, the most efficient way for most students is to take the mathematics placement examination no later than the start of a student’s first semester at Oglethorpe. The mathematics placement exam will determine whether a student has sufficient mathematical knowledge to exempt any (or all) of the mathematics prerequisites. If not, it will also help develop a plan of action for preparing the student to satisfy prerequisites in the shortest possible time. Please consult Sec. 6.4.1. and Sec. 6.4.2. for additional information.

B.S. in Biopsychology (see Sec. 8.5.4. for a complete list of B.S. graduation requirements)

  1. Completion of all of the following courses:
    • CHM 101 General Chemistry I (and laboratory, CHM 101L)
    • CHM 102 General Chemistry II (and laboratory, CHM 102L)
    • BIO 110 Biological Inquiry
    • BIO 201 Genetics
    • PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
    • PSY 209 Behavioral Neuroscience
    • PSY 308 Sensation and Perception
    • PSY 310 Drugs, the Brain and Behavior
    • PSY 320 Psychological Statistics and Research Methods I
    • PSY 321 Psychological Statistics and Research Methods II
    • BIO 496 or PSY 496 Capstone Seminar in Biopsychology
  2. Completion of any one of the following “Biology” electives:
    • BIO 215 Animal Behavior
    • BIO 313 Developmental Biology
    • BIO 402 Human Physiology
  3. Completion of any one of the following “Psychology” electives:
    • PSY 201 Developmental Psychology
    • PSY 307 Cognitive Psychology
  4. Additional requirements and things to note:
    • Because the Biopsychology major is interdisciplinary in nature, it is important to be aware of the necessary prerequisites for courses that are required by the major. Enrollment in courses contributing to the major must satisfy the prerequisites established by each discipline (i.e., biology, chemistry, and psychology).
    • Oglethorpe students contemplating taking any of the courses required for the major as transients at other post-secondary institutions are cautioned to follow Oglethorpe’s transient student policy (see Sec. 6.8.6.).
    • Courses taken to complete this major may not be used to fulfill the requirements of a minor in a related field.