Biopsychologist
Overview: | Biopsychologists study the scientific relationship between the brain and behavior. The field is an interdisciplinary field which investigates the understanding of behavior from a combined psychological and biological perspective. Biopsychologists are trained to teach, do laboratory and field research with humans and animals and apply biobehavioral knowledge to problems in a variety of settings. Most positions require a doctorate degree. |
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Duties: | Biopsychologists attempt to understand the relationship between the brain and nervous system and their relationship to behavior. Biopsychologists are distinguished from other psychologists because they study the entire range of psychological phenomena but always from a biological perspective. The field is an interdisciplinary field which emphasizes the analysis of behavior from psychological, pharmochological, neurophysiological, endocrinological, immunological, developmental and ecological perspectives. Biopsychologists are trained to conduct basic laboratory and field research and teach in the fields of animal and human behavior as well as in the application of biobehavioral knowledge to a variety of problems in industrial, business, institutional, health and environmental settings. Within the field of biopsychology are specific areas of interest such as neuropsychopharmochology that involves the study of the effects of drugs on the mind, brain and behavior with application to mental illness, and drug and alcohol abuse. Psychophysiology examines how mental characteristics affect the body, how people experience information from their bodies, what changes happen when people experience emotions such as stress and utilize biofeedback as one method of self-regulation of stress-related health problems. Evolutionary psychology is the study of how evolution shapes the psychological processes; comparative psychology studies animal behavior by comparing findings among different species. |
Degree(s): | A.S. Biotechnology |
Job Outlook: | Employment in this field is projected to grow 9% to 13% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average projected growth for all occupations. |
Salary Range (National Average): | $40,000 to $50,000 |
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Education Level: | Candidates for this occupation generally have completed their Bachelor’s Degree and have continued their education either 1 or 2 years longer. |
Additional Training/Education: | A career in biopsychology can require up to 10 years of formal education beyond high school. Although a masters degree is a minimum requirement, a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) is usually required for most employment in this field. Graduate schools tend to look favorably on undergraduate degrees in psychology. Other good majors are biological, physical and social sciences, statistics and mathematics. |
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* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .
* For New York salary data information .
* For New York green job information .
Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.