Psychobiology - Albright College
Source: https://www.albright.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/psychobiology
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Psychobiology - Albright College
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Psychobiology
Bridge mind and biology. Explore behavior through a scientific lens.
Psychobiology at Albright integrates the study of psychology and biology to explore the biological foundations of behavior. Students gain a deep understanding of how the brain, nervous system, and environment shape human and animal behavior.
About the Program
The program benefits from psychology’s quantitative rigor and biology’s scientific foundations, supported by advising workshops and experiential learning opportunities.
Hands-On Learning
Students participate in internships, research projects, scholarly publications, and collaborative initiatives involving health, behavioral science, and community partnerships.
Program Goals
Course Requirements
Opportunities
Faculty
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.
Bryce Brylawski , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Ian Cost , Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Erin Deneke
Adjunct Faculty
Tracey Estriplet-Adams
Adjunct Faculty
Sarah Gerloff
Adjunct Faculty
Jillian Gosselin
Adjunct Faculty
Julia Heberle , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Adam Hersperger , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Susan Hughes , Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Salahadin Lotfi
Adjunct Faculty
Svyatoslav Prokhorets , Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Andrew Samuelsen , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
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Curriculum Highlights
PSY 200, 201, and 202 for structured research training
Interdisciplinary collaboration across biology and public health
Opportunities for senior theses and independent study
Internships with organizations such as Caron Foundation and SafeBerks
Skip To Main Content
Psychobiology
Bridge mind and biology. Explore behavior through a scientific lens.
Psychobiology at Albright integrates the study of psychology and biology to explore the biological foundations of behavior. Students gain a deep understanding of how the brain, nervous system, and environment shape human and animal behavior.
About the Program
The program benefits from psychology’s quantitative rigor and biology’s scientific foundations, supported by advising workshops and experiential learning opportunities.
Hands-On Learning
Students participate in internships, research projects, scholarly publications, and collaborative initiatives involving health, behavioral science, and community partnerships.
Program Goals
Course Requirements
Opportunities
Faculty
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.
Bryce Brylawski , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Ian Cost , Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Erin Deneke
Adjunct Faculty
Tracey Estriplet-Adams
Adjunct Faculty
Sarah Gerloff
Adjunct Faculty
Jillian Gosselin
Adjunct Faculty
Julia Heberle , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Adam Hersperger , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Susan Hughes , Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Salahadin Lotfi
Adjunct Faculty
Svyatoslav Prokhorets , Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Andrew Samuelsen , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
1
2
>
next page
showing 1 - 12 of 13 constituents
Curriculum Highlights
PSY 200, 201, and 202 for structured research training
Interdisciplinary collaboration across biology and public health
Opportunities for senior theses and independent study
Internships with organizations such as Caron Foundation and SafeBerks