What is Behavioral Neuroscience?
Neuroscience is a large discipline that encompasses an extremely wide variety of scientists and scientific interests. However, all neuroscientists are interested in the brain and how the brain works. Behavioral neuroscientists are interested in the relationship between the physiological processes that occur in the brain and behavior. The Behavioral Neuroscientist is likely to be interested in the answer to the question: What types of altered communication between neurons are responsible for dramatic changes in behavior and cognition? One of the greatest frontiers In modern science is the study of the functions of the human brain. From this delicate mass of biological cells spring the complex qualities of the human mind. Our thoughts, our emotions, our perceptions, and our behavior all originate in the intricate chemical interactions of the brain.
Behavioral neuroscience is the study of the biological reasons for human behavior. It is a combination of psychology and biology. A behavioral neuroscientist needs to know a lot about not only science and medicine, but also psychology. Behavioral neuroscientists must also have a strong background in mathematics and chemistry. Scientists who study behavioral neuroscience use highly technical equipment to study the brain. This equipment may include functional magnetic resonance images (fMRIs) or special microelectrodes that monitor brain activity. These electrodes are fastened to the head, and sense brain activity in different areas of the brain, giving researchers an accurate picture of brain activity. These electrodes can be used during fMRI scans, to provide the most accurate representation of activity available. There are many areas of study in behavioral neuroscience. The main focus is on which parts of the brain allow people to perform certain behaviors. The brain is very specializ
Neuroscience is an extremely large discipline that encompasses a broad variety of scientists with many different scientific interests. Regardless of their specific focus, all neuroscientists are interested in the structure and function of the brain. Some neuroscientists focus on basic physiology of neurons, the biochemistry of neuronal communication, the integrated function of basic neural systems, or on the relationship of neural systems to behavior. It is this focus on the relationship of neural systems to behavior that is distinctive about behavioral neuroscience. The behavioral neuroscience concentration at The University of Memphis is designed to offer undergraduate education for students whose interests are focused on the central nervous system and its relationship to behavior and cognitive processes. While designed to prepare students for graduate education in applied or basic careers in the neurosciences, it is also well suited for students contemplating professional or researc
