Program Requirements
- Total Units Required: 45-49 units (36-37 units plus prerequisites for the major requirements, plus 9-12 units for a specialization; adding a specialization to the base major is not required)
- Grade Requirement: For a course to count toward the major, a grade of C– or better must be achieved.
How does the brain think? Cognitive neuroscience refers to how mental functions are linked to the operation of the brain and nervous system. The goal of cognitive neuroscience is to provide an understanding of psychological processes such as attention, memory, thinking, and emotion in terms of physical principles and biological components. At the same time, cognitive neuroscience aims to provide an understanding of the psychological constraints on how the brain functions, computes, and generates behavior. Students who pursue the undergraduate major in Psychological & Brain Sciences: Cognitive Neuroscience (PB&S:CN) will gain a strong foundation in how to study the brain and mind at various levels of analysis, including cellular biology, brain systems, cognitive and affective function, and neural computation. In addition, they will gain an appreciation of the relation between healthy cognitive and brain function and its breakdown in various disease states and disorders. The PB&S:CN major provides excellent preparation for a career in health and medical professions, scientific research, computer fields, education, and law.
Prerequisites
Students must complete the following courses outside of Psychological & Brain Sciences:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2960 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 3 |
| Total Units | 7 | |
Note: Each of these prerequisites has its own prerequisites: MATH 1520 Calculus II requires MATH 1510 Calculus I; for BIOL 2960 Principles of Biology I, taking CHEM 1701 General Chemistry I and CHEM 1702 General Chemistry II (concurrently) is strongly recommended. These courses are Biology and pre-med prerequisites as well, and they are typically completed during a student's first year. They may alternatively be satisfied through AP credit or any other mechanism approved by the respective department or the College. These prerequisites do not earn credit toward the P&BS:CN major, but they must be completed with a passing grade (C– or above) by the end of the student's third year to remain in good standing for the major.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSYCH 1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3000 | Introduction to Psychological Statistics | 3 |
| PSYCH 3010 | Experimental Psychology | 4 |
| or PSYCH 3011 | Experimental Psychology | |
| PSYCH 3401 | Biological Psychology | 3 |
| or BIOL 3411 | Principles of the Nervous System | |
| PSYCH 3600 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3604 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| Total Units | 19 | |
Note: The first three requirements (i.e., PSYCH 1000 Introduction to Psychology, PSYCH 3000 Introduction to Psychological Statistics, and PSYCH 3010 Experimental Psychology/PSYCH 3011 Experimental Psychology [the version taken concurrently with PSYCH 3000 Introduction to Psychological Statistics] ) are the same as those for the regular P&BS major.
PSYCH 1000 Introduction to Psychology is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses (3000 level and above). A waiver from PSYCH 1000 Introduction to Psychology is possible in the following circumstances:
- Completion of an equivalent course transferred from another institution, if approved by the P&BS Director of Undergraduate Studies.
- An AP Psychology test score of 5, an IB score of 6 or 7, or a British A-Level grade of A.
PSYCH 3000 Introduction to Psychological Statistics:
- SDS 2020 Elementary Probability and Statistics, SDS 3020 Elementary to Intermediate Statistics and Data Analysis, or DAT 1200 Managerial Statistics I may substitute for PSYCH 3000 Introduction to Psychological Statistics but earn no units of credit toward the major. No AP math course can substitute for PSYCH 3000 Introduction to Psychological Statistics.
For cases in which a waiver is granted (e.g., PSYCH 1000 Introduction to Psychology, PSYCH 3000 Introduction to Psychological Statistics), no credits are earned toward the major, so waived courses must be made up with additional P&BS content electives (i.e., regular format lecture-based PSYCH courses) approved by the major advisor.
Additional Cognitive and Biological Distributions
Students must complete two courses — one each from the Distribution A and B lists:
Distribution A Eligible Courses*
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSYCH 3175 | Applied Statistical Analysis With R | 3 |
| PSYCH 3210 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3300 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
| PSYCH 3580 | Language Acquisition | 3 |
| PSYCH 3610 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| PSYCH 3800 | Human Learning and Memory | 3 |
| PSYCH 3890 | Advanced Psychological Statistics: The General Linear Model and Beyond | 3 |
| PSYCH 4099 | Human Evolutionary Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 4182 | Perception, Thought, and Action | 3 |
| PSYCH 4330 | Psychology of Language | 3 |
Distribution B Eligible Courses*
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 3057 | Physiological Control Systems | 3 |
| BIOL 3151 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| BIOL 3280 | Principles in Human Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL 3421 | Introduction to Neuroethology | 3 |
| BIOL 3422 | Genes, Brains, and Behavior | 3 |
| DANCE 3170 | The Neuroscience of Movement: You Think, So You Can Dance? | 3 |
| PHYSICS 3350 | Physics of the Brain | 3 |
| PSYCH 3175 | Applied Statistical Analysis With R | 3 |
| PSYCH 3450 | Genes, Environment, and Human Behavior | 3 |
| PSYCH 3890 | Advanced Psychological Statistics: The General Linear Model and Beyond | 3 |
Note: PSYCH 3175 Applied Statistical Analysis With R or PSYCH 3890 Advanced Psychological Statistics: The General Linear Model and Beyond can be allowed to fulfill either Distribution A or B; students must complete at least one non-statistics course for the Additional Cognitive and Biological Distributions requirement.
Computation Requirement
Students must complete one of the following courses:*
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CSE 1301 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| PSYCH 3175 | Applied Statistical Analysis With R | 3 |
| PSYCH 4631 | Introduction to Computational Cognitive Science | 3 |
With prior approval, another course involving a significant computational/programming component may be substituted.
Capstone/Depth Requirement
Students must complete three of the following courses:*
Capstone/Depth Eligible Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 4581 | Principles of Human Anatomy and Development | 3 |
| BIOL 4030 | Biological Clocks | 3 |
| BIOL 4040 | Laboratory of Neurophysiology | 4 |
| BIOL 4114 | Neuroplasticity: Wiring and Rewiring of the Brain | 3 |
| PHIL 4200 | Philosophy of Neuroscience | 3 |
| PNP 4020 | The Physiology and Biophysics of Consciousness | 2 |
| PSYCH 4182 | Perception, Thought, and Action | 3 |
| PSYCH 4414 | Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYCH 4512 | Neurobiology of Learning & Memory | 3 |
| PSYCH 4631 | Introduction to Computational Cognitive Science | 3 |
| PSYCH 4746 | Biological Pathways to Psychopathology: From Genes and the Environment to Brain and Behavior | 3 |
| PSYCH 4765 | Inside the Disordered Brain: Biological Bases of the Major Mental Disorders | 3 |
Additional Capstone/Depth Eligible Courses
- PSYCH 3999 Independent Study in Psychological and Brain Sciences (all 3 units must be completed in one semester and in one lab to be considered for approval; taken Credit/No Credit) can be used satisfy up to 3 units of the Capstone/Depth requirement.
- PSYCH 4991 Independent Study for the Major in P&BS: Cognitive Neuroscience (Capstone) (3 units; taken for a letter grade and requiring a final paper) can be used to satisfy up to 6 units of the Capstone/Depth requirement.
- The Honors Program in Psychology (PSYCH 4980 Study for Honors) can be used to satisfy up to 3 units total of the Capstone/Depth requirement.
In total, no more than 6 units of the above may be applied toward the Capstone/Depth requirement.
Note: Unless a student explicitly petitions for an exception and is granted written prior approval, only the above Capstone/Depth eligible courses can be counted toward the Capstone/Depth requirement. Contact skohlman@wustl.edu for the petition.
- *
If a course falls into more than one category, it can be used to fulfill only one of those categories (i.e., no double-counting).
Acceptance Into the Psychological & Brain Sciences: Cognitive Neuroscience Major
Acceptance into the major is contingent upon an application and then approval by the major committee. As part of this application, the student will communicate with an appropriate advisor who will carefully review the requirements and oversee the student's progress. A brief, one-page statement from the student about why they feel the cognitive neuroscience major is appropriate for them will be requested as part of the application.
Washington University students will be considered for admission to the P&BS:CN major no sooner than during their third semester (sophomore year). Decisions are based on the student's statement and academic record as well as the interview with the advisor. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for admission into the major.
Interested students should contact Shelley Kohlman to begin their applications.
Additional Information
Transfer Credit
If accepted by the College of Arts & Sciences, transfer credits must be evaluated by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the P&BS department for their applicability toward either major in P&BS. Please contact Shelley Kohlman to begin the P&BS transfer credit evaluation process.
Senior Honors Program in Psychological & Brain Sciences
The primary goal of the honors program in P&BS is to provide students who have achieved a superior academic record with the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive empirical investigation under the direction of a faculty member.
To be admitted into the honors program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Have overall and P&BS grade point averages of at least 3.65
- Complete PSYCH 3010 Experimental Psychology or PSYCH 3011 Experimental Psychology
- Have an approved honors research mentor (a faculty member who agrees to supervise the thesis)
- Have permission to enroll from Dr. Julie Bugg, the Honors in Psychology program coordinator
Cognition in Children Specialization
To augment the major in Psychological & Brain Sciences, the department offers the option of a specialization for students who wish to engage more intensively with a specific area within the discipline.
A specialization may be a valuable experience for students planning on graduate study in psychology or related fields or for those who have a particular interest or want to gain expertise in one of the approved specializations. It may provide a useful preparation for the Honors program in Psychology, or it may serve as a substitute for the Honors experience for those students who may not qualify for Honors.
Completion of a specialization entails 12 units:
- Three courses (9 units), at least one of which must be an advanced, 4000-level course; and
- A semester of research in an appropriate, approved lab consisting of PSYCH 4992 Independent Study for a Specialization in Psychological and Brain Sciences (Capstone), which requires the successful completion of an American Psychological Association (APA)–style research paper or an approved Honors project completed through PSYCH 4980 Study for Honors. In some cases, a relevant internship or practicum may be an appropriate alternative to research experience. (Note: Students may be required to complete a preliminary semester [3 units] of PSYCH 3999 Independent Study in Psychological and Brain Sciences, depending on the nature of the project intended for PSYCH 4992 Independent Study for a Specialization in Psychological and Brain Sciences (Capstone); the additional independent research is at the discretion of the research mentor and will not be counted toward the completion of the specialization requirements.)
The 3000-level required course may be used to fulfill no more than one of the core categories or distribution requirements of a Psychological & Brain Sciences major (i.e., one course could double-count for the major and the specialization). None of the units for a specialization can be counted for any other major or minor (i.e., there is no double-counting with another major or minor). For those pursuing the Psychological & Brain Sciences: Cognitive Neuroscience major, the Cognitive Neuroscience Specialization is not an option.
Each specialization has a Psychological & Brain Sciences faculty advisor/coordinator who will meet with interested students to help ensure the successful and appropriate completion of the specialization and who serves as the liaison with the Psychological & Brain Sciences Undergraduate Studies Committee. A student may pursue only one specialization. Completing a specialization, however, is not required to complete the base Psychological & Brain Sciences major.
Students should contact Shelley Kohlman in Somers Family Hall, Room 207B, to arrange a specialization. Forms are available from Shelley, and completed forms must be returned to her in order for a specialization to be considered officially "in progress."
Recognition of the specialization will appear on the student's academic record under Milestones once all requirements have been met.
Requirements for the Cognition in Children Specialization
This specialization allows students to acquire deeper knowledge of cognitive and social-cognitive processes that occur during infancy and early childhood. The courses for this specialization consider child development more generally and then explore in more depth the development of cognitive, conceptual, linguistic, and social abilities.
Advisor/Coordinator
Coursework Required
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSYCH 3210 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Electives
Students must select two of the following courses, at least one of which is at the 4000 level:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSYCH 2190 | The Infant Mind: Sophomore Seminar (this course will get an advanced level title and course number update in spring 2027.) | 3 |
| PSYCH 3580 | Language Acquisition | 3 |
| PSYCH 4099 | Human Evolutionary Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 4591 | The Development of Social Cognition | 3 |
Research Mentorship
Prior approved research mentorship with a relevant faculty member and successful completion of a research paper (i.e., PSYCH 4992 Independent Study for a Specialization in Psychological and Brain Sciences (Capstone) or PSYCH 4980 Study for Honors) are required.
Relevant Faculty
- Lori Markson
- Susan Perlman
- Natasha Marrus
- Joan Luby
Other potential faculty mentors may be approved upon request depending on the relevance of the research experience.
Additional Information
Transfer Credit
If accepted by the College of Arts & Sciences, transfer credits must be evaluated by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the P&BS department for their applicability toward either major in P&BS. Please contact Shelley Kohlman to begin the P&BS transfer credit evaluation process.
Senior Honors Program in Psychological & Brain Sciences
The primary goal of the honors program in P&BS is to provide students who have achieved a superior academic record with the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive empirical investigation under the direction of a faculty member.
To be admitted into the honors program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Have overall and P&BS grade point averages of at least 3.65
- Complete PSYCH 3010 Experimental Psychology or PSYCH 3011 Experimental Psychology
- Have an approved honors research mentor (a faculty member who agrees to supervise the thesis)
- Have permission to enroll from Dr. Julie Bugg, the Honors in Psychology program coordinator
Contact Info
| Contact: | Shelley Kohlman |
| Phone: | 314-935-5169 |
| Email: | skohlman@wustl.edu |
| Website: | https://psych.wustl.edu/undergraduate-program |