Neuropsychology Major (B.S.)

https://manchester.unh.edu/program/bs/neuropsychology-major

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.

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.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

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.

Core Courses in Psychology and Biology
BIOL 413
BIOL 414
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology II (both with lab)
8
CHEM 403General Chemistry I (with lab)4
GEN 604Principles of Genetics4
NPSY 600Behavioral Neuroscience4
PSYC 401Introduction to Psychology 14
PSYC 402Statistics in Psychology4
PSYC 502Research Methods in Psychology4
PSYC 705Tests and Measurement4
Advanced Courses in Psychology and Biology
Select three of the following:12
Cell Biology
Visual Perception
Psychology of Consciousness
Brain and Behavior
Drugs and Behavior
Neurobiology of Mood Disorders
Attention Disorders
Advanced Elective in Psychology
Select one of the following:4
Psychology of Language
Health Psychology
Counseling
Special Topics
Capstone Requirement
Select one of the following:4
Internship (at approved site)
Neuropsychology Capstone Project
Independent Study (4 credits)
Capstone 2
Total Credits56
1

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

2

Concurrent registration with a 4-credit 700-level Psychology or Neuropsychology course

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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
UMST 401
First Year Seminar
or Transfer Seminar
1-2
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
PSYC 401 Introduction to Psychology 4
BIOL 413 Principles of Biology I 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits17-18
Spring
PSYC 402 Statistics in Psychology 4
BIOL 414 Principles of Biology II 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
CHEM 403 General Chemistry I 4
NPSY 600 Behavioral Neuroscience 4
PSYC 502 Research Methods in Psychology 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
GEN 604 Principles of Genetics 4
PSYC 705 Tests and Measurement 4
Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
Advanced Courses in Psychology and Biology 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
Advanced Courses in Psychology and Biology 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective Course 4
Elective Course 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
Advanced Courses in Psychology and Biology 4
Advanced Elective in Psychology 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
PSYC 793
Internship 1
or Independent Study
or Neuropsychology Capstone Project
or Capstone
4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits129-130
1

NPSY 798 Capstone option must have concurrent enrollment

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.