Psychobiology

• Knowledge Base in Psychology: Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.
• Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Students will develop skills in scientific reasoning, problem solving, interpreting behavior, studying research, and applying research design principles to drawing conclusions about psychological phenomena.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Massive World: Students will learn to apply ethical standards, build and enhance interpersonal relationships, and adopt values that build a community at local, national, and global levels.
• Communication: Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Professional Development: Students will learn to apply psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and prepare for their careers.

Full Course Catalogue  Course Descriptions

Major Requirements

Behavioral Psychobiology Track

The Behavioral Psychobiology track is more psychologically-oriented and is intended for those pursuing graduate work in health psychology, behavioral research, and some mental health related fields.  

• Psychology core requirements (6 courses)
  • PSY 100 General Psychology (fulfills GS Foundations Social Science course)
  • PSY 200 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (fulfills GS Foundations Quantitative course)
  • PSY 201 Research Methods in Psychology
  • PSY 205 Biological Psychology
  • PSY 202 Research Experience in Psychology
  • PSY 405 or 406: Senior Seminar
• Biology core requirements: (2 courses)  
  • BIO 151 General Biology I: Structure & Function (fulfills GS Foundations Natural Science course)
  • BIO 203 Introduction to Genetics
• One from Group I (Social, Developmental, and Clinical Psychology)
  • PSY 206 Social Psychology
  • PSY 210 Health Psychology
  • PSY 250 Personality
  • PSY 230 Human Development -OR- PSY240: Child Development
  • PSY 390 Adult Psychopathology -OR- PSY391: Child Psychopathology
• Two from Group II (Biological, Cognitive, and Evolutionary Psychology)
  • PSY 305 Behavioral Neuroscience
  • PSY 319 Evolutionary Psychology
  • PSY 340 Cognition
  • PSY 350 Animal Behavior and Cognition
  • PSY 355 Motivation
  • PSY 360 Sensation and Perception
• Three from Group III (Biological Science) (one MUST be at least 300 level)
  • BIO 152 General Biology II: Systematics, Ecology, and Evolution
  • BIO 220 Evolution (152 or 203)
  • BIO 234 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIO 235 Human Anatomy and Physiology II  
  • BIO 319 Vertebrate Natural History (152)
  • BIO 327 Histology and Microtechniques (151)
  • BIO 331 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (151)
  • BIO 333 Developmental Biology (151, 203)
  • BIO 337 Comparative Animal Physiology and Ecophysiology (151, 152, CHE105)
• Two Elective courses
  • Any PSY course not previously taken
  • Any BIO course not previously taken
  • CHE105 General Analytical Chemistry I
  • Either ANT 342 Human Evolution or ANT 285 The Human Animal  

Total: 16 courses (3 captured for General Studies)

Molecular Psychobiology Track  

Students must declare one of two tracks for the Psychobiology major. The Molecular Psychobiology track is more biologically-oriented and is intended for those pursuing graduate work in neuroscience, the medical field, and other related fields.

• Psychology core requirements: (5 courses)
  • PSY 100 General Psychology (fulfills GS Foundations Social Science course)
  • PSY 200 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (fulfills GS Foundations Quantitative Reasoning course)
  • PSY 201 Research Methods in Psychology
  • PSY 205 Biological Psychology
  • PSY 202 Research Experience in Psychology • Biology/Chemistry core requirements: (4 courses)
  • BIO 151 General Biology I: Structure and Function (fulfills GS Foundations Natural Science course)
  • BIO 203 Introduction to Genetics
  • CHE 105 General Analytical Chemistry I
  • CHE 106 General Analytical Chemistry II
• Two from Group I (Biological, Cognitive, and Evolutionary Psychology)
  • PSY 305 Behavioral Neuroscience
  • PSY 319 Evolutionary Psychology
  • PSY 340 Cognition
  • PSY 350 Animal Behavior and Cognition
  • PSY 355 Motivation
  • PSY 360 Sensation and Perception
• Two from Group II (Molecular Biological Sciences)
  • CHE 207 Organic Chemistry I
  • BIO 220 Evolution (BIO152 or 203)
  • BIO 321 Microbiology (BIO151, 203, CHE207)
  • BIO 322 Cell Biology (BIO151, 203, CHE207)
  • BIO 325 Molecular Genetics (BIO151, 203, CHE207)
  • BIO 327 Histology and Microtechniques (BIO151)
  • BIO 329 Virology (BIO203 and CHE207)
• One from Group III (Organismal Biological Sciences)
  • BIO 152 General Biology II: Systematics, Ecology, and Evolution
  • BIO 234 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIO 235 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BIO 331 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (BIO151)
  • BIO 333 Developmental Biology (BIO151 and 203)
  • BIO 337 Comparative Animal Physiology and Ecophysiology (BIO151, 152, CHE105)
  • BIO 398 Animal & Human Nutrition (BIO151 and CHE207)
• One Elective course in any PSY or BIO not previously taken
• One Senior Seminar
  • PSY 405 or 406 Senior Seminar
  • BIO 490’s Senior Seminar

 Total: 16 courses (3 captured for General Studies) 

Honor Society & Scholarly Community: Eligible students can join Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, which recognizes academic excellence and encourages involvement in psychological science.

Internships and Career Support

Students can connect with the Career Development Center to find internships or practicum experiences in hospitals, schools, social service agencies, business settings, or human resources placements, gaining practical experience in psychology‑related environments.

ACRE Undergraduate Research

Students in any major can engage in interdisciplinary undergraduate research through the Albright Creative Research Experience (ACRE), partnering with faculty mentors to pursue independent research or creative projects and present their work beyond the classroom.