Our Programs

The Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour offers a variety of programs that serve students with different interests and career goals. You can think of the programs as falling along a spectrum.

At one end of the spectrum are the Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour programs. These programs lead to a Bachelor of Applied Science and focus on the scientific study of the mind with the goal of understanding how humans think, feel, and behave. Students will learn how to relate basic psychological theories, principles, and methods to everyday life with the goal of helping people understand, explain, and change behaviour. The Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour programs are the most narrowly focused on the topic of psychology, and they are the least research-intensive.

Next are the Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB) programs. The PNB programs are more interdisciplinary than the Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour programs because the PNB programs integrate concepts across psychology, neuroscience, and animal behaviour. The PNB programs are research-intensive and focus on the experimental study of human and non-human animals, with the goal of understanding how the mind and nervous system work, and how animals survive and reproduce.

Moving along the interdisciplinary scale we come to the BioPNB program. This is a Combined Honours degree program in which students major in both PNB and Biology; therefore, the BioPNB program has more requirements than the Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour or PNB programs.

The most interdisciplinary program that we offer is the Neuroscience program. Students in the Neuroscience program develop strong foundational skills in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics, coupled with a strong introduction to the core areas of molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience. The Neuroscience program is geared towards students who are interested in pursuing neuroscience research or other fields built upon a strong interdisciplinary science foundation.

Which PNB program is right for you?

	Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour	PNB	BioPNB	Neuroscience
What is the program’s focus?	Applying psychological theories, principles and methods to real life	Experimental research and integrating psychology, neuroscience, and animal behaviour	Research in psychology, neuroscience, animal behaviour, and biology	Building foundational skills in biology, chemistry, computer, science, math and physics, and relating these topics to molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience
What programs are available?	There are 3 Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Psychology in Human Beahviour Programs. The generalist program is administered by PNB, whereas the specializations (Autism and Behavioural Science (ABS), and Early Childhood Studies, (ECS)) are a collaboration between Mohawk and PNB.	There are 3 PNB programs, including the generalist program and two Specializations (Music Cognition, and Mental Health). All 3 programs are offered by the Department of PNB and are offered as both Honours Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs.	There is one BioPNB program and it is jointly offered by the Departments of PNB and Biology.	There is one Neuroscience program, and it is jointly offered by the Departments of PNB and Biology.
How much elective space is available? Can I earn a minor?	18-45 credits of elective space Yes you can earn a minor	21-42 credits of elective space Yes you can earn a minor	15-18 credits of elective space Yes you can earn a minor	12-27 credits of elective space Yes you can earn a minor
What are some unique features of the program?	Students in the Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour Specializations, Are guaranteed practicum placements during the summer months; Earn both a degree from McMaster and a diploma or certificate from Mohawk; Have very high employment rates immediately after graduation Students in the Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour generalist program, Have a lot of program flexibility. Have more elective space.	Build strong research skills (e.g., writing, research methods, programming) Have ready access to independent research courses Have a strong sense of cohort and community	Build strong research skills (e.g., writing, research methods, programming) Have ready access to research in both the PNB and Biology Departments Have a strong sense of cohort and community	Build strong research skills (e.g., writing, research methods, programming) Build a strong foundational knowledge in interdisciplinary science Have access to a specialized neuroscience lab course
What are some potential careers?	Autism behavioural therapy, counselling, organizational psychology, early childhood education, psychotherapy, teaching, human resources	Research, clinical psychology, medicine, rehabilitation science (e.g., speech language pathology), teaching, data analytics/ data science, marketing	Research, medicine, rehabilitation science (e.g., physiotherapy), teaching, pharmacy, dentistry	Research, medicine, rehabilitation science (e.g., physiotherapy), teaching, pharmacy, dentistry
What degree options are available?	Bachelor of Applied Science	Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Arts	Bachelor of Science	Bachelor of Science