Behavioral neuroscience is a fascinating topic that studies the biological mechanisms underlying how the brain senses and perceives the environment, stores and retrieves memories, generates emotions, controls behavior, and produces consciousness. Behavioral neuroscience sits at the intersection of psychology and biology and addresses topics from the cellular/molecular level to the biological underpinnings of all aspects of behavior and psychological disorders.

Enormous strides have been made in the field of neuroscience in the last several decades and students at Fairfield have the opportunity to join the discussion. The major in behavioral neuroscience is an ideal preparation for graduate school in behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and affective neuroscience, as well as in experimental psychology, neurophysiology, clinical neuropsychology, pharmacology, and many other developing areas in this rapidly growing discipline. Students planning to enter the health professions would find the behavioral neuroscience minor helpful as preparation for specialization in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and more. Finally, the major is ideal for any student who has a desire to learn more about the functioning of their own brain.