Catalogue

Mind, Brain, and Behavior

mbb.bard.edu

Faculty

Sven Anderson (coordinator), Justin Dainer-Best, Sarah Dunphy-Lelii, Justin Hulbert, Thomas Hutcheon, Kristin Lane, Bruce Robertson, Frank M. Scalzo, Michael Tibbett

Overview

The Mind, Brain, and Behavior (MBB) concentration seeks to understand how humans, animals, and robots are able to acquire, represent, and use knowledge. The discipline combines the insights from several other fields, including neuroscience, computer science, psychology, linguistics, animal behavior, genetics, and philosophy, to work toward an understanding of the brain and the mind. The MBB concentration is a secondary field of study that requires a student to complete a major in a primary discipline.

Requirements

If possible, Moderation into Mind, Brain, and Behavior should take place simultaneously with Moderation into the primary program. To moderate, students must complete two courses in two different MBB-affiliated disciplines that include biology, computer science, psychology, philosophy, and linguistics. At least one of these courses should qualify as an introduction to MBB: Computer Science 131, Foundations of Mind, Brain, and Behavior; Biology 162, Introduction to Neurobiology; or Psychology 141, Introduction to Psychological Science. At least one member of the Moderation board must be a member of the MBB faculty. To graduate, students must complete the requirements for their primary program; participate in an MBB junior-year seminar (MBB 317); take courses in two different MBB-affiliated disciplines (three courses in each discipline, from a list of approved courses); and complete a Senior Project on a topic relevant to MBB, as determined by the student’s Senior Project board.

Courses

The following courses, among others, fulfill the requirements for Moderation: Biology 151, From Genes to Traits; Biology 162, Introduction to Neurobiology; Computer Science 143, Object-Oriented Programming with Robots; Psychology 141, Introduction to Psychological Science; and Philosophy 247, Philosophy of Mind.

Mind, Brain, and Behavior Seminar
MBB 317
Students concentrating in Mind, Brain, and Behavior are required to take this 2-credit course. Each senior presents research in progress or significant material from the literature. Each junior presents an interesting paper of personal choice from the literature. The purpose of the seminar is to enhance communication among seniors about their research and encourage juniors to become familiar with both the academic literature and research undertaken in the program. Prerequisite: Moderated status or permission of the instructor.