BS Design and Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University

Engages students in an interdisciplinary study across the Biology, Psychology, and Art + Design departments to integrate fundamental design courses with a strong foundation in the physiological brain mechanisms that give rise to behavioral functions.
Behavioral Neuroscience learning outcomes
Learning outcomes related to knowledge-specific content:
- Explain the fundamental concepts of behavioral neuroscience.
- Describe the biological bases of cognitive processes underlying behavior under normal and pathological states.
Learning outcomes related to scientific inquiry:
- Apply the process of science by identifying testable scientific questions, formulating hypotheses, and designing basic experiments using appropriate research methods.
- Analyze quantitative data using statistical analysis techniques.
- Interpret experimental results from scientific literature and describe and evaluate seminal and emerging findings involving mind, brain, and behavior.
Learning outcomes related to application of knowledge:
- Justify ethical principles involved in conducting basic science and clinical research including the evolutionary principles that support the use of animal model systems.
- Explain how the study of brain and behavior contributes to the resolution of ethical and social issues.
- Integrate classroom knowledge in authentic practical experiences such as directed study research with faculty and co-ops in laboratories, clinical settings and industry.
Design learning outcomes
- Apply iterative design processes to create, revise, evaluate, and develop effective prototypes and innovative solutions.
- Engage human-centered design research methods and systems thinking to identify and understand values, goals, motivations of intended audiences as a mode of inquiry, question framing and guide to action.
- Develop a high level of craft and technical skills in a relevant range of media and tools and effectively weigh applicability for intended audiences and outcomes.
- Develop and realize intent, concept and content with awareness of context and consequence.
- Implement visual patterns incorporating text, image, diagram including temporal and spatial representations to recognize, categorize, and articulate significant form and meaning
- Employ and embody ethical practices, team and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and effective communication and presentation skills.
- Apply relevant communication theories and principles and appreciate the pervasive and long-term impact of design decisions on people and societies.
Co-Op Opportunities
- design and media sectors
- news and publishing sectors
- arts sectors
- food and beverage sectors
- fashion and travel sectors
- government and civic sectors
- health care and pharmaceutical sectors
- educational sector financial and business sector