Behavioral Neuroscience Transfer Option, Arts and Science, A.A.

CONTACT

Michelle Williams, 413.552.2334, mwilliams@hcc.edu

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Behavioral Neuroscience Transfer Option is a transfer curriculum within the Psychology Department that prepares students for transfer to a four-year college with a major in behavioral neuroscience, neuroscience, neuropsychology, or a related field. The Behavioral Neuroscience Transfer Option provides students with a strong foundation in psychology, while also ensuring a substantial background in biology and chemistry. The program addresses the student learning goals and outcomes developed by the Psychology Department in accordance with the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major (Version 3.0, 2023), as well as foundational concepts in biology and chemistry.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program, students will achieve these 5 goals:

Goal 1: Content Knowledge and Applications
- Students will demonstrate comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical or evidence-based findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavior and mental processes. * Students will demonstrate foundational knowledge and comprehension of major concepts in biology and chemistry.
Goal 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
- Students will develop scientific reasoning and investigation skills, including proficiencies in research methods and statistics.
Goal 3: Values in Psychological Science
- Students will demonstrate ethically and socially responsible behaviors in personal, professional, organizational, and institutional settings, consistent with the core values of psychological science.
Goal 4: Communication, Psychological Literacy, and Technology Skills
- Students will interact effectively with others, write and present effectively for different purposes, provide evidence of psychological literacy, and utilize technology to improve communication.
Goal 5: Personal and Professional Development
- Students will demonstrate effective self-regulation, project management, and workforce collaboration and technological skills, effective judgment in professional interactions, and direction for life after graduation.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 37 CREDITS

ENG 101(A) - Composition I Credit(s): 3
ENG 102(A) - Composition II Credit(s): 3
PSY 110(B) - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 222(B) - Research Methods in Psychology Credit(s): 4
Social Science Elective (B) Credit(s): 3
Humanities Elective (C) Credit(s): 3
Humanities Elective (C) Credit(s): 3
Humanities Elective (C) Credit(s): 3
BIO 107(E) - General Biology I: Introduction to Cell Functions Credit(s): 4
BIO 108(E) - General Biology II: Diversity of Life on Earth Credit(s): 4
PSY 142(D) - Statistics for Psychology Credit(s): 4

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 12 CREDITS

PSY 200(B) - Information Literacy in Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 215(B) - Child Psychology Credit(s): 3
select 1-2 of the following:¹
PSY 217(B) - Abnormal Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 265(B) - Cognitive Psychology Credit(s): 3
select 0-1 of the following:¹
PSY 202(B) - Ecopsychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 203(B) - Human Sexuality Credit(s): 3
PSY 210(B) - Social Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 224(B) - Psychology of Women Credit(s): 3
PSY 226(B) - Health Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 230(B) - Topics in Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 240(B) - Forensic Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 260(B) - Personality Credit(s): 3

PROGRAM ELECTIVES: 12 CREDITS

CHM 121(E) - Chemistry for Science and Engineering Students I Credit(s): 4
CHM 124(E) - Chemistry for Science and Engineering Students II Credit(s): 4
select 1 of the following:
MTH 104(D) - College Algebra Credit(s): 4
MTH 108(D) - Precalculus Credit(s): 4
MTH 113(D) - Calculus I Credit(s): 4
MTH 114(D) - Calculus II Credit(s): 4

TOTAL: 61 CREDITS

NOTES

¹Students must complete a total of 6 credits from these two groups of electives.

Only 6 non-Arts and Science credits may be taken towards an A.A. degree.

Students are encouraged to take an additional course in Mathematics should time permit, such that they advance through the MTH 104 /MTH 108 /MTH 113 /MTH 114 sequence as far as possible prior to transfer.

This program qualifies for MassTransfer, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state colleges and universities. MassTransfer will also grant students automatic acceptance to certain state colleges and universities by achieving the minimum grade point average and the HCC degree.

Depending on course selection, 80% of this program can be completed online. Go to Online Learning for more information

(H061)