Neuropsychology Major (B.S.)

Neuropsychology is the study of the human brain and its relation to behavior. The UNH Manchester program focuses on the biological basis of human functioning in both normal and pathological states (e.g., dementia, depression) and therefore, prepares students for careers working with individuals with various mental health and neurological conditions. This interdisciplinary program offers a concentration of core and advanced courses in psychology and biology while providing sufficient flexibility for students to customize their education in order to meet specific requirements for their chosen career path, including the health professions.

The neuropsychology program prepares students for a variety of careers within the field of neuroscience, including bachelor-level positions and graduate training in research and health professions. At the bachelor-level, students are prepared for positions in healthcare (e.g., clinical laboratory technologist, psychometrician) and biomedical research (research assistant). The program is also designed to provide the flexibility needed to prepare students for graduate training in the health professions, such as being a physician, physician assistant, psychologist, neuropsychologist, or occupational therapist. Students interested in medical school are able to complete premedical requirements within four years.

Students majoring in neuropsychology must complete a minimum of 128 credits and satisfy the University's Discovery Program, and complete 56 credits in the major with a minimum of C- in each course and a 2.0 overall grade-point average in all major requirements. Three courses in the major can be used to fulfill both a major requirement and a Discovery requirement, providing students with more flexibility to customize their education.

Transfer students who elect to major in neuropsychology must complete at least 32 credits in the program at UNH to qualify for the degree in neuropsychology. The department's academic advisors will determine the distribution of these credits. Transfer students should note that courses are allotted only the number of credits granted by the original institution (after adjustments for semester-hour equivalents). Thus, students transferring from an institution at which courses carry less than four credits each must make up for any credit deficit created by acceptance of transfer credits into the neuropsychology major.

Specific course selections should be discussed with the advisor. Exceptions to the requirements for the major require a petition to the department.

Program Requirements

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If used to fulfill SS Discovery requirement, students must take PSYC 511 Sensation and Perception, PSYC 513 Cognitive Psychology, or PSYC 561 Abnormal Behavior.

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Students may either take BSCI 680 Pharmacology or PSYC 733 Drugs and Behavior for major credit, but not both.

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If a student chooses to complete PSYC 795 Independent Study for less than 4 credits, they will need to take additional credits that count toward the major.

For more information about the neuropsychology program, contact Alison Paglia, Ph.D., program coordinator, Daniel Seichepine, Ph.D., or the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions at (603) 641-4150.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH Manchester undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

A student successfully completing this program will obtain the following competencies:

• Understand fundamental principles in both psychology and biology, such as the scientific method, statistical analysis and cellular biology.
• Understand the biological basis for normal human behavior (e.g. sensation, perception, learning and memory, etc.,) and for common neurological disorders (e.g. dementia, addictions etc.).
• Demonstrate the ability to gather, analyze, evaluate, and integrate peer-reviewed scientific articles in neuroscience. Additionally, students will learn to write literature reviews in American Psychological Association format.
• Understand ethical issues in research and clinical applications of neuropsychology.
• Effectively communicate complex neurobiological topics both orally and in writing.