Psychobiology at Ripon College

Academics | Psychobiology

Psychobiology Major

The psychobiology major is an interdisciplinary program of study in the behavioral and biological sciences. It is designed for those students who are interested in such fields as animal behavior, behavior genetics, cognitive neuroscience, physiological psychology, psychopharmacogy, neurobiology and developmental psychobiology.

A basic core of required courses will expose the student to the fundamental knowledge and methodological skills peculiar to this broad area of study. Beyond these general requirements, the student may select a course of study which emphasizes either a behavioral or physiological concentration.

 

Faculty

Mark Kainz Memuna Khan

Kristine Kovack-Lesh J. Timothy Petersik

 

Courses & Requirements

Course Guidelines: Psychobiology

 

Advising

Ripon College encourages all students to embrace a Four-Year Career Development Plan. This plan is based on the premise that career planning is a development process that involves learning and decision-making over an extended period of time.

First Year

  • Incoming students are assigned a Faculty Mentor based on their interest area(s). Please see the FACULTY tab under your major area;
  • All Freshman are required to enroll in a First-Year Seminar, which is designed as a transition from high school to college learning, providing an interdisciplinary introduction to the liberal arts and the pursuit of in-depth study;
  • Freshman are encouraged to meet the career development staff early on and complete interest and skills inventories, and self-assessment tools; and,
  • Attend the pre-Fall Break “Major Fest” to explore the various major options and career tracks.

Third Year

  • Assume leadership positions in on-campus clubs and organizations;
  • Participate in mock interviews with the Career Development Office;
  • Attend the Wisconsin Foundation of Independent Colleges Job Fair in February and other relevant career fairs;
  • If relevant, begin to research potential graduate school programs and take the appropriate entrance exam(s);
  • Continue to meet regularly with your Faculty Mentor;
  • Continue to build a solid network and a list of work references, and build your resume;
  • Consider off-campus study: Semester and/or alternative Spring Breaks;
  • Continue to job shadow; and,
  • Gain further career experience associated with your education during the academic year and as part of a summer job or internship.

Second Year

  • Get involved with on-campus clubs and organizations, athletic teams and/or intramural sports;
  • Attend the pre-Fall Break “Major Fest” to explore the various major options and career tracks;
  • Declare a major;
  • Meet regularly with your Faculty Mentor or match your interests with a faculty member in your major department. Determine which professors have areas of expertise most similar to your interests. Talk to people in the academic department to find out about faculty research, scholarly, and creative interests;
  • Attend on-campus career workshops;
  • Work with the Career Development Office to create an approved resume;
  • Job shadow people involved in various careers and professions of interest; and,
  • Gain further career experience associated with your education during the academic year and as part of a summer job or internship.

Fourth Year

  • Complete a Senior Capstone/Thesis in your major area(s);
  • Continue to meet regularly with your Faculty Mentor;
  • Perfect your interviewing skills;
  • Expand your existing network of contacts;
  • Finalize your resume and prepare cover letter;
  • Build a credential file in the Career Development Office;
  • Interview with on-campus recruiters;
  • Set-up informational interviews with target companies;
  • If relevant, apply to graduate school programs, and if necessary, re-take entrance exams; and,
  • Practice career goal-setting.

 

What can I do with a Psychobiology major?

Psychobiology can lead to careers in medicine, psychology, biology, animal caretaking, research and teaching in university and clinical settings.

Recent graduates have taken many paths, including graduate school programs in physical therapy, neurobiology, and clinical psychology; and careers as doctors, counselors, researchers, and teachers.

Recent graduates of our program work for…

  • Dolphin Research Center
  • Emory University
  • Facchiano and Associates Optometry
  • IIT Research Institute
  • Minnesota Autism Center
  • Northglenn Optometric Center
  • Rush University
  • San Jose State University
  • San Juan Outfitters
  • St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center
  • The Elephant Sanctuary
  • University Of Chicago
  • University of Minnesota Physicians
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Villard Primary and SpecialtyCare Clinic
  • Yellow Horse LLC

Job titles of recent graduates include…

  • Optometrist
  • Preschool Teacher
  • Gymnastics Coach
  • Health Manager
  • Behavioral Therapist/Mental Health Practitioner
  • Counselor, Clinical Psychiatry
  • Grant and Contract Admin. for Research Serv. Dept.
  • Psychiatric Associate
  • Physician Assistant
  • Professional Horse Trainer

 

Unique Opportunities

Experimental Research

Most of our experimental research occurs in the laboratory. Student-faculty research on sensory physiology, brain function and other areas of physiological psychology utilizes up-to-date equipment in a modern lab setting.

Field Study

Student-faculty field studies on bird behavior, domestic mammal behavior, killer whale behavior and the impact of humans on killer whale activities have been done mainly during the summer for many years.